Frozen Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer

Cooking Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer is the BEST. You get perfect crispy nuggets every single time with almost zero effort. In just a few minutes you’ll have your entire family believing you picked up take-out!

This is one of my go-to quick meals, but I have hundreds of other easy dinner recipes just for you! Be sure to check the full list and find some yummy additions to add to your menu.

stack of cooked chicken nuggets on a piece of parchment with a side of ketchup


 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick dinner idea: From freezer to table in under 10 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.
  • Easy kid-friendly meals: Guaranteed to please even the pickiest eaters without stress.
  • Minimal cleanup recipe: No mess, no fuss—just one basket to wipe clean.
  • Beginner air fryer recipes: Ideal for anyone new to air frying—fail-proof results every time.

Frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer are the ultimate hack for busy nights, hungry kids, or anyone craving that crispy, golden perfection without turning on the oven. With just one ingredient and a trusty air fryer, you’ll have dinner (or a snack) on the table in under 10 minutes—no thawing, no fuss.

It’s hands-down the easiest way to cook frozen nuggets and get that fast food crunch at home. Whether you’re team Just Bare or Tyson, this method delivers crispy outsides and juicy insides, every single time.

just bare chicken chunks on a table

Ingredients You’ll Need

Great news—the ingredient list is incredibly short and simple. All you need is your favorite bag of frozen chicken nuggets! Here are two family-approved picks we keep stocked in our freezer:

  • Just Bare Chicken Chunks: Our top choice by far! These crispy little bites taste just like Chick-fil-A nuggets and can usually be found at Costco (giant bag, around $10—yes, please!).
  • Tyson Chicken Nuggets: A classic we always come back to. They’re consistently delicious, crispy, and a guaranteed family favorite every single time.

Whichever nuggets you choose, the air fryer makes them irresistibly crispy every single time—effortlessly turning freezer staples into family-approved favorites. Dinner win!

Jesseca, author of One Sweet Appetite.

As a mom and self-proclaimed air fryer addict, I can confidently say this is the only way to cook frozen chicken nuggets. They come out perfectly crispy every single time—no soggy microwave mess or waiting on the oven. It’s fast, foolproof, and a total game-changer on hectic nights.


Tip from Jesseca:

Don’t overcrowd the basket! Give your nuggets a little breathing room so the hot air can circulate and crisp up every bite evenly.

Substitutions and Variations

Want to switch things up? Here are a few easy ways to make this recipe your own:

  • Try different brands: Beyond Just Bare and Tyson, you can use any frozen chicken nugget brand you love—even plant-based or gluten-free options!
  • Toss in sauce: After cooking, toss the nuggets in buffalo, BBQ, or honey mustard for a flavor boost.
  • Kid-friendly mix-ins: Serve with fun dipping sauces like ranch, ketchup, or cheese sauce for extra excitement at the table.

This recipe is super versatile, so feel free to get creative and make it work for your taste buds!

chicken pieces inside an air fryer basket

What is the best air fryer?

Beyond the ingredients, you will also need an air fryer. Here’s a quick breakdown of a few popular brands and their features:

  • Instant Vortex 4 Quart Air Fryer (affiliate): I have owned this air fryer for almost 3 years. It is used on a weekly basis and has held up well. It was also rated the top air fryer by Food Network in an article published last month.
  • Ninja Air Fryer (affiliate): I got to use this at a friends and loved the ease and versatility of the ninja. It’s more compact than the one I own but still feels incredibly sturdy. It also offers the option to dehydrate, which I’m slightly jealous over.
  • Dash Compact Air Fryer (affiliate): This little nugget is ADORABLE and the perfect addition to smaller kitchen spaces. Over 14,000 reviews and a 4.5 rating, I’d give this one a go if I was cooking for 1-2 people.

Regardless of which option you find fits your needs best, you will LOVE adding this appliance to your kitchen. It is the single most used item that my entire family agrees is a game changer.

Expert Tips

  • Preheat your air fryer: Starting with a hot basket helps the nuggets cook more evenly and crisp up faster.
  • Don’t overcrowd: Give each nugget space so the hot air can circulate—this is the secret to that perfect crunch.
  • Shake halfway through: Gently shake the basket halfway to ensure even cooking on all sides.
  • Know your nuggets: Smaller nuggets (like Just Bare) may cook faster than larger ones (like Tyson tenders), so adjust your time as needed.
  • Serve immediately: For the crispiest texture, enjoy them hot out of the air fryer. Letting them sit too long can cause them to soften.
  • No oil needed: Most frozen nuggets are already pre-cooked and have enough fat to crisp up beautifully without added spray.

How to Cook Frozen Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer (Step-by-Step)

Making frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer is about as simple as it gets. Just a few steps, and you’re on your way to crispy, golden nuggets that taste better than the drive-thru—no oven required.

  1. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
  2. Add the Nuggets: Add frozen nuggets in a single layer.
  3. Cook the Nuggets: Cook for 8–12 minutes, shaking halfway through.
  4. Serve: Remove and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

That’s it! No flipping, no babysitting—just fast, crispy nuggets in minutes.

cooked nuggets on a plate with a side dish of ketchup

Recipe FAQs

Do I need to thaw the chicken nuggets first?

Nope! This recipe is designed for frozen nuggets—no thawing needed. Just toss them in the air fryer straight from the freezer.

Can I stack the nuggets in the air fryer?

It’s best to keep them in a single layer for even cooking. A little overlap is fine, but too much stacking can lead to soggy spots.

How long do I cook frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer?

Most nuggets cook in 8–12 minutes at 375°F. Check them at the 8-minute mark and add more time if you like them extra crispy.

Can I cook different types of nuggets the same way?

Yes! Whether you’re using Just Bare chunks, Tyson tenders, or even plant-based nuggets, the method is the same. Just keep an eye on the size and adjust the cook time if needed.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover nuggets?

Pop them back in the air fryer for 3–5 minutes at 350°F. They’ll crisp up again like they were just made.

Do I need to spray the basket with oil?

Not usually. Most frozen nuggets already have oil in the breading and crisp up beautifully on their own. If you want extra crisp, a quick mist won’t hurt.

chicken piece being dunked into a small container of ketchup

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4.84 from 6 votes

Frozen Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer

Author Jesseca
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Serves: 1 -5 servings
Cooking Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer is the BEST. You get perfect crispy nuggets every single time with almost zero effort. In just a few minutes you’ll have your entire family believing you picked up take-out!

Ingredients
  

  • Frozen chicken nuggets- however many you’d like in your serving

Instructions
 

  • Set your air fryer to 375°F and allow it to preheat for 3–5 minutes. This helps the nuggets cook more evenly and get extra crispy.
  • Place the frozen chicken nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. Avoid stacking or overcrowding to ensure even cooking.
  • Air fry for 8–12 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the nuggets halfway through cooking. Start checking for doneness around the 8-minute mark—smaller nuggets may be done sooner.
  • Carefully remove the nuggets from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces.

Notes

Cooking times can vary slightly based on the size of the nuggets and your air fryer model. For extra crispy results, add 1–2 extra minutes at the end.
Use frozen chicken nuggets, do not thaw.
For a less crispy nugget check at 8 minutes. Add a minute or two if you like your nuggets more crispy.

The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.

Course Dinner Recipes
Cuisine American

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9 Comments

  1. never found the recipe. too many ads.

    1. Hi Sean. Sorry to hear you had trouble finding the recipe. There’s a ‘Jump to Recipe’ button near the top of the page to help skip ahead. I do have ads to keep the recipes free for everyone, but I’ve removed your rating since you didn’t actually try the recipe. Hopefully, next time will be a smoother experience!

  2. Degrees of what? Celsius? Kelvin? Fahrenheit?

  3. I bought the nuggets with no breading, would this recipe work for those, as well?

    1. It should. I would check them at 8 minutes.

  4. What do you mean by “on basket on top of the tray”? Do you mean a crisper tray or just on top of the bottom of the basket

    1. “into the basket and on top of the tray.” – If you have a basket type air fryer. It goes onto the crisper tray. If you have a toaster oven style it goes onto the tray.

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