Looking for a healthy and quick low calorie recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets? This easy recipe makes perfectly crispy, Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets in 30 minutes! That's faster than frozen, and better for your heart. Our dietitians created a low calorie recipe for breading that coats lean chicken meat in a blanket of gluten-free crushed corn flakes. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, four generous nuggets total only 160 calories! That's healthier than frozen chicken nuggets.
Don't have an air fryer? You can easily make all of our healthy air fryer recipes in your oven!
This low calorie recipe for chicken nuggets is heart healthy because our nuggets are cooked in an air fryer, which achieves a crispy texture using significantly less oil than deep-frying. The recipe calls for lean, boneless, skinless chicken breasts for high-quality protein and uses a gluten-free cornflake coating for crunch to reduce fat and lower sodium.
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For fresh, from-scratch nuggets, cook at 400°F (200°C) for about 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure they are golden and crispy on all sides.
For the best results, pat the chicken pieces completely dry before starting. Use a 3-step breading process:
Yes, you can cook frozen chicken nuggets in an air fryer. They typically take 12-15 minutes at 400°F (200°C). There is no need to thaw them first, and you should flip them halfway through cooking.
The key to crispy nuggets is a dry coating, a preheated air fryer, and a light spritz of cooking spray. Using a crunchy coating like crushed cornflakes or panko breadcrumbs provides the best texture.
Recipe yields 4 servings
Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
Cut chicken into 1½-inch pieces. In a bowl combine flour, paprika, pepper and salt. Roll chicken pieces in the flour mixture to cover on all sides, shaking off excess flour. Set aside.
In a small bowl lightly beat egg whites and buttermilk. In another bowl, place the cornflakes. Dip each chicken piece into egg mixture then coat with cornflakes, covering completely.
Spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Place in a single layer in the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes or until crispy and golden, flipping over halfway through. Serve immediately.
If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake these chicken nuggets in a conventional oven. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the breaded nuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until golden and cooked through.