Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets

Name: Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 13 min
Ingredients: 12 frozen chicken nuggets (pre-cooked); vegetable oil (small amount for brushing air fryer basket)

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With basically no prep & 8 minutes of cooking you can make delicious Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets. Perfectly cooked with a light crisp, and ready to serve with your favorite dipping sauce!

chicken nuggets on a plate with a bowl of ketchup.

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Why you will love this recipe
What you need to make them
How to make them
Tips & tricks
Recipe FAQ
More quick & easy air fryer recipes
Recipe
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Having a bag of frozen chicken nuggets in the freezer is a great way to quickly get dinner or a snack on the table - and both kids and adults love them.

Serve with a side dish like French fries, sweet potato fries, tater tots or mac and cheese - or make it a healthier meal with your favorite veggie. And don't forget a tasty dipping sauce: ketchup, bbq sauce, chipotle ranch dressing, or why not honey mustard sauce? The opportunities are endless!

Why you will love this recipe

It's the best way to cook frozen chicken nuggets - bye bye soggy chicken nuggets, hello crispy goodness!
Crispy on the outside - soft and tender on the inside
Crispier than baked or fried stove-top
Healthier than fried
Quicker than in the oven
Super easy and done in 8 minutes
Minimal prep & simple clean-up - most air fryers go in the dishwasher!

What you need to make them

ingredients for air fryer frozen chicken nuggets.

Ingredient notes

Frozen chicken nuggets: This recipe is for pre-cooked chicken nuggets. Some good brands are Tyson and Perdue. You can also use veggie nuggets!
Vegetable oil is optional, and can be swapped for cooking spray

How to make them

Collage showing how to cook air fryer chicken nuggets.

Brush the air fryer basket it lightly with oil
Spread out the frozen nuggets in one layer
Air fry 4 minutes at 400°F (200°C), then flip the nuggets
Air fry 4 more minutes, then serve

Tips & tricks

Preheat your air fryer to avoid soggy chicken nuggets
Use just a tiny bit of oil for maximum crisp
Cooking time can vary with different air fryers
Cook time can also vary with the brand as chicken nuggets differ in shape and size - you might want to cook a test batch first to get the timing right
Pre-packaged frozen food should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) - use a meat thermometer * to be sure
Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days - but remember that they are at their best just after frying
Reheat chicken nuggets in the air fryer for 4 minutes at 300°F (150°C), turning once halfway
Reheat chicken nuggets in the microwave in 30 second inrements

Recipe FAQ

For more answers to your air fryer questions, check out my complete Air Fryer FAQ.

How do you cook frozen Tyson chicken nuggets in the air fryer?

Air fry 8 minutes at 390°F (200°C), flipping them once halfway.

How do you make Tyson air fryer dino nuggets?

Air fry 6-8 minutes at 390°F (200°C), flipping them once halfway.

Can you cook chicken nuggets and fries together in air fryer?

Yes, you definitely can, if you have the space.

Frozen fries will take a bit longer than chicken nuggets, so start by air frying the fries for 6 minutes before adding the chicken nuggets.

For best results, still make sure to have everything spread out in a single layer.

Can I stack my chicken nuggets i the air fryer?

No, you need to cook the chicken nuggets in a single layer. If not, you will end up with soggy chicken nuggets.

Do I need to defrost chicken nuggets before air frying?

No - it's better if you don't! The air fryer cooks them perfectly straight from frozen. This also goes for frying them using a deep fat fryer or baking them in the oven.

a chicken nugget being dipped in ketchup.

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