Frozen Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer
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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.
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.
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’s Recipe Review
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!
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.
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.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
- Add the Nuggets: Add frozen nuggets in a single layer.
- Cook the Nuggets: Cook for 8–12 minutes, shaking halfway through.
- Serve: Remove and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
That’s it! No flipping, no babysitting—just fast, crispy nuggets in minutes.
Recipe FAQs
Nope! This recipe is designed for frozen nuggets—no thawing needed. Just toss them in the air fryer straight from the freezer.
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.
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.
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.
Pop them back in the air fryer for 3–5 minutes at 350°F. They’ll crisp up again like they were just made.
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.
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Frozen Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer
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
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.
More Chicken Recipes
- Grilled Hawaiian Chicken
- The BEST Chicken Fajitas
- Copycat Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad
- Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
- Chicken Cordon Bleu
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never found the recipe. too many ads.
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!
Degrees of what? Celsius? Kelvin? Fahrenheit?
Fahrenheit
I bought the nuggets with no breading, would this recipe work for those, as well?
It should. I would check them at 8 minutes.
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
“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.