Introduction

Air fryers are one of the hottest kitchen appliances on the market right now. And for good reason! They’re versatile, efficient, and best of all, they can make your favorite fried foods with a fraction of the oil.

One of the most popular items to cook in an air fryer is chicken nuggets. They’re quick, and easy, and everybody loves them. But how long does it really take to cook chicken nuggets in an air fryer?

The answer may surprise you! It only takes about 10 minutes to cook chicken nuggets in an air fryer. That’s including both the preheating time and the actual cooking time. So if you’re ever in a pinch for time, or just feeling lazy, air-fried chicken nuggets are the way to go.

What Is an Air Fryer and Why Use it?        

An air fryer is a small appliance that uses hot air to cook food. The food is placed in a basket or tray, and hot air circulates around it, cooking the food evenly. Air fryers can be used to cook a variety of foods, including chicken nuggets.

Air fryers are becoming increasingly popular because they offer a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. When food is fried in oil, it absorbs the oil, which can add a lot of calories and unhealthy fats. Air fryers don’t use any oil, so the food doesn’t absorb any of the oil’s calories or fat.

Another benefit of using an air fryer is that it cooks food more quickly than other methods. Traditional frying can take a long time, especially if you’re cooking for a large group of people. With an air fryer, you can have your chicken nuggets cooked in just a few minutes.

So why use an air fryer? An air fryer is a healthier alternative to traditional frying, it cooks food more quickly, and it’s easy to use. If you’re looking for an easy way to make delicious chicken nuggets, an air fryer is a perfect tool for the job.

Benefits of Cooking Chicken Nuggets in an Air Fryer

When it comes to cooking chicken nuggets, there are many benefits to using an air fryer. For one, it cuts down on the overall cook time. But beyond that, air-frying chicken nuggets also yields a crispy outer layer and juicy inner meat. If you’re looking for the perfect chicken nugget, cooked in an air fryer is the way to go.

So how long does it actually take to cook chicken nuggets in an air fryer? The answer may surprise you – it’s actually much quicker than you might think. On average, it should only take around 10 minutes to cook chicken nuggets in an air fryer. Of course, this will vary depending on the size and thickness of your nuggets. But generally speaking, 10 minutes is all you need.

So why not give air frying a try next time you’re craving chicken nuggets? You’ll be glad you did!

Preparing Your Chicken Nuggets for the Air Fryer

When it comes to preparing your chicken nuggets for the air fryer, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, you’ll want to make sure that your chicken nuggets are nice and dry before putting them in the air fryer. This will help them cook evenly and prevent them from sticking to the basket.

Next, you’ll want to preheat your air fryer for a few minutes before adding your chicken nuggets. This will help them cook faster and more evenly. Finally, be sure to spray the basket of your air fryer with cooking spray before adding your chicken nuggets. This will help to prevent them from sticking to the basket and ensure that they cook evenly.

How Long to Cook Chicken Nuggets in an Air Fryer

Chicken nuggets are one of the most popular items on fast food restaurant menus, and they can be just as easily made at home in an air fryer. But how long does it really take to cook chicken nuggets in an air fryer?

The answer depends on a few factors, such as the size and thickness of the chicken nuggets, as well as the temperature setting of the air fryer. In general, however, it should only take about 10 minutes to cook chicken nuggets in an air fryer.

If you’re looking for a more specific answer, we’ve got you covered. We’ve gone ahead and tested how long it takes to cook chicken nuggets in an air fryer, so all you need to do is follow our guidelines below.

Recipe Ideas for Delicious Chicken Nuggets from an Air Fryer

When it comes to chicken nuggets, there’s no shortage of delicious recipe ideas to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a classic breaded and fried chicken nugget or something a little healthier like baked chicken nuggets, we’ve got you covered. 

For the classic breaded and fried chicken nugget, you’ll need:

-1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes

-1 cup all-purpose flour

-2 tablespoons paprika

-1 teaspoon garlic powder

-1 teaspoon salt

-1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Additional Tips for Perfectly Crispy Nuggets Every Time

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit before adding the chicken nuggets. This will help them cook evenly and prevent them from sticking to the basket.

2. Use a light coating of cooking spray on the nuggets before adding them to the air fryer. This will help them crisp up nicely.

3. Cook the nuggets in batches if necessary so that they have plenty of space to crisp up without touching each other.

4. Shake or flip the nuggets halfway through cooking so that they brown evenly on all sides.

5. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce!

FAQs

Can you layer nuggets in an air fryer?  

It is better to air fry in batches than to stack your chicken nuggets when cooking a large amount. Stacking will cause uneven cooking and will take longer. It is easiest to cook in batches in a single layer.

Are chicken nuggets better in the air fryer?

Not only are Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets healthier, but they cook better than any other method, with perfect crispy coating and tender, the juicy chicken inside. Don’t miss my other Air Fryer recipes, like Air fryer chicken wings, Air Fryer Tofu, and Air Fryer Baked Potato.

How do you know when chicken nuggets are done in a fryer?

The easiest way to make sure you hit 165° each and every time? Pick up an instant-read thermometer. They’re easy to find and can save you a whole lot of hassle in the long run. As long as your readings hit that magic 165°-mark, you’ll know that the chicken nuggets are safe to eat.  

Are chicken nuggets better in the air fryer or oven?

The oven and air-fryer methods were hands down tied for the win, and they were worth the extra cooking time. While the oven produced a tad juicier nugget, the air fryer created a slightly crispier one, which felt like an even trade-off for me and made them equally delicious.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we’ve discussed the ultimate guide to cooking chicken nuggets in an air fryer and how long it really takes. We hope this article has been helpful for you if you’re looking to make your own homemade chicken nuggets in your very own air fryer. With the right ingredients, a few simple steps, and approximately 6 minutes of frying time per batch of nuggets, even novice cooks can whip up delicious and crispy chicken nuggets with relative ease. So go ahead – give it a try!