Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets

Air fryer frozen chicken nuggets are a great treat to serve for game day, lunch, or even dinner. This incredibly simple recipe uses the power of the air fryer to make frozen chicken nuggets straight from the bag that come out perfectly done every time. They're a quick, easy meal that everyone loves and that is perfect for the air fryer.

When my son was a kid, he was obsessed with chicken nuggets - like all kids are, I believe. That was fine with me because I never lost my love for chicken nuggets as I got older.

My son's initially picky ways were a great excuse for me to eat a childhood favorite. I did my best to make meals healthy by pairing the nuggets with vegetables, which, blessedly, my son would eat. So it was a bit of a compromise, but it was one that my husband and I were perfectly happy with.

As the years went by, my son began to expand his tastes beyond chicken nuggets, and he became just as much of a foodie as his father and me. And although he would eat whatever I made, I still continued to make chicken nuggets on occasion. I still do, in fact!

Fast forward to just a few years ago, and I got my first air fryer. It was a total game-changer. The air fryer made all my fried foods crispier and all my other foods perfectly done every time and done fast.

That's when I discovered the magic, the majesty, the pure magic that is air fryer frozen chicken nuggets. Rather than waiting forever for the oven to preheat and then baking for a big chunk of time, I could make chicken nuggets in batches in a fraction of the time.

Air fryer chicken nuggets come out crispier, juicier, and just plain better than nuggets baked in the oven. It's my favorite way to make them, and I know you'll love them, too. That's why I'm bringing you this ridiculously easy recipe today.

History of Chicken Nuggets

Chicken nuggets may be a staple in homes across the globe, but they weren't always so. Chances are, you've been eating them your entire life, but you've probably never thought about where they came from. Well, it's an interesting story, actually.

Before World War II, the primary meat source for Americans was red meat. However, during World War II, the US military commandeered red meat for soldiers, creating a beef shortage back home. This led to an absolutely massive demand for chicken. It was this demand that actually led to the modern mass farming of chickens. Everyone in America was desperate for chickens and farmers began to churn them out as quickly as possible.

After World War II, chickens began to struggle. With no shortage of red meat, the demand for chicken dropped. Added to that was how chickens were sold. At that time chicken was sold whole. It was too small to feed a large family but too large for one person.

In addition, making whole roasts was a time-consuming affair for mothers who were entering the workforce in increasing numbers. Thus, there was a need that needed to be filled, but it couldn't be filled by chicken in its current form at the time.

That's when Robert C. Baker had an idea.

In 1963, Robert C. Baker, an agricultural scientist, invented chicken nuggets in a lab at Cornell University. They were just one of the chicken products he invented that helped revitalize the chicken industry.

He also created turkey ham and chicken hot dogs, among other food items that propelled the poultry industry forward.

Fast forward to today, and what was once simply a means to help sell chicken again has become a staple across the globe. Chicken nuggets are beloved by both children and adults, alike, and they're sold in a variety of flavors from traditional to hot and spicy and everything in between.

Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets

This recipe couldn't be easier. Literally. It could not be easier. All you need is an air fryer and frozen chicken nuggets! The way an air fryer cooks transforms your favorite chicken nuggets into extra crispy, perfectly cooked chicken bites of Heaven.

It's a super fast recipe that lets you get everyone's favorite frozen meal on the table in no time flat, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or game days.

Ingredients

It only takes two ingredients to make this easy recipe. It actually only takes one if you don't count your optional dipping sauces. Two ingredients? That's right. I wasn't kidding when I told you this recipe was easy. Here's what you'll need.

• 1-2 pound bag Frozen Breaded Chicken Nuggets
• Optional – dipping sauces such as ketchup, ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, etc.

I ask you, does it get any easier than that? No. The answer is no. It's just ridiculous in its ease.

Making the Chicken Nuggets

Making the nuggets is just as easy as opening your freezer to pull out your bag of frozen nuggets. You'll simply pop them in the air fryer, flip them once, and you're all done. That's it! Take a look.

1. Preheat air fryer to 375 degrees F.
2. Line air fryer basket with parchment liner for easy cleanup.
3. Place chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket in a single layer (you will need to do this in batches)
4. Cook for 8 minutes, flip and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes.
5. Remove from basket and serve. 

That's all there is to it! It's the easiest recipe I've ever posted and that you'll ever make.

Variations

This might be the single best recipe you'll ever see for variety. Because this entire recipe is simply frozen chicken nuggets cooked in an air fryer, you can get creative by just buying different kinds of frozen nuggets.

Kids always love the nuggets that come in shapes. Adults will love any nugget you serve, from traditional nuggets to any of the flavors that you can find them in. Just pick your favorite bag and cook them up in the air fryer!

Serving Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets

These chicken nuggets are the classic easy meal. Serve them up with classic sides like French fries, baked potatoes, green beans, macaroni and cheese, and the like.

These are perfect for dinners, lunches, parties, and gameday get-togethers, so they pair perfectly with all the sides we expect to find at any of these events. There's really no wrong way to pair them when you get right down to it.

Don't forget dipping sauces! Serve up these nuggets with all your favorites like:

• Ketchup
• Honey
• Honey mustard
• Sweet and sour sauce
• Barbecue sauce
• Ranch

Storing Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets

Cooked chicken nuggets will keep well in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. For longer storage, you can freeze the chicken nuggets. Yes, it's perfectly safe to refreeze them.

To freeze your nuggets, place them in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag for up to three months. To serve, simply recook them in the air fryer.

Be aware that refreezing can change the texture a bit, so it's better to simply cook as many nuggets as you'll need at any given time.

Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets - Easy and Tasty

This is absolutely the easiest thing you'll ever make. Air fryer frozen chicken nuggets take everything you love about chicken nuggets and make it all better.

The air fryer makes the breading crispier and cooks the chicken more evenly, making for an extra crispy outside and an extra tender and juicy inside. Serve up your favorite frozen nuggets paired with your favorite sides and dipping sauces for a quick and easy meal that everyone will love.

Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets Video