Skip to Content

Homemade Chicken Nuggets Air Fryer No Egg

Duped Chick Fil A nuggets are killer. A homemade chicken nuggets air fryer no egg recipe that is a great copycat! If you love our air fryer frozen chicken nuggets but want to make them from scratch this one is great for your Ninja Foodi or Cosori.

chick fil a air fryer nuggets

I bet you’re like us and love this popular fast food chain. When you try this homemade copy cat chicken nuggets in air fryer recipe you’ll be surprised at how similar they are. One of many easy air fryer recipes here on our site. (affiliate links present)

Duped Chick Fil A Chicken Nuggets in Air Fryer

We have made many air fryer chicken recipes. This and our air fryer popcorn chicken can be plain or amped up. Add as much seasoning as you’d like, or use tricks like marinating in pickle juice to add flavor. We will share all the tips and tricks to making it like your favorite fast food restaurant.

Using healthy chunks of chicken breast these are much better than processed right out of a bag for sure. If you want to use ground turkey or chicken, follow our homemade chicken nuggets with ground chicken recipe. Those can be air fried too instead of fried.

If you love easy air fryer recipes too, here are some resources to start with:

cosori review

How Long to Cook Homemade Chicken Nuggets in Air Fryer

You are looking at about 8 minutes total but you will want to flip them over to get the ultimate crunchy texture. Time will vary lightly depending on how large your chunks are of course but I’d check at 6 if small and every minute after that. When cut in the middle juices should run clear with no pink color.

Homemade Ninja Foodi Chicken Nuggets

If you are using this machine you want to use the lid that is attached. The button is air fry and the round basket that slides inside will allow the hot air to circulate all around each piece. You will have to work in batches as it will only fit 10 or so in a single layer.

Ingredients

  • Cubed air fryer chicken breasts
  • All purpose flour
  • Powdered sugar
  • Salt and pepper
  • Paprika
  • Mayonnaise or egg
  • Pickle juice dill
  • Olive oil spray

Did you read that last one above right? Yes, the tip to that great taste you love is pickle juice!! I mean you can use what’s in your jar at home and have a snack at the same time with a few dills while you’re at it. 😉 Another surprise is you’ll use some powdered sugar as well! You’ll be surprised at how great this savory and sweet combo really is. Other items needed are:

Olive oil cooking spray is needed for most chicken in air fryer recipes to get the outside nice and crispy. BUT they use peanut oil so if you want that authentic taste you’d need to add that to a kitchen spray bottle.

cubed chicken

What does soaking chicken in pickle juice do?

It will add flavor and more importantly will make it more tender. You can drain some of the liquid out of your Vlasic or Claussen jar or this is how to make pickles at home to use. Then use some of that. Once you have your meat cut into about 1″ pieces you’ll start by marinating it for just a bit. I mean you can let it sit longer than 30 minutes if you want a much stronger dill flavor.

What is Chick Fil A Nuggets Made of?

They use real chicken breast pieces, no fillers like some other fast food joints. Pickle juice is one of the differences from others and they are actually fried in peanut oil so if you want a genuine taste you’d need to use that in a spray bottle instead of olive oil.

egg wash

How to Cook Homemade Chicken Nuggets in Air Fryer

Then you’ll need two shallow bowls so you can create the coating for the outside. This will create crispy chicken nuggets air frying style. Ensure that each piece of chicken is in 1″ size pieces and all are the same so they cook evenly.

  • You’ll want to dredge them in the confectioners sugar and flour mixture
  • Then into the egg mixture
  • Back into the flour.
    • I have not used Panko bread crumbs before but I would assume a mixture of Panko parmesan would work well too.
    • If you needed a low carb and or gluten free version you might want to try that instead.
  • Shake off the excess and place into a preheated basket.
  • Once you are ready to cook a spray of oil on top will be necessary.

If you are making a large batch have a sheet pan handy. Then you can bread them, set them on the pan and lay a single layer of pieces in each time. Cook, remove from air fryer basket, and add another batch and bake chicken nuggets again until they’re all done. If you serve it with a batch of frozen waffle fries in air fryer you’ll get the full restaurant affect.

homemade nuggets air fryer

How do you get flour to stick without egg?

This is How to Bread Chicken Without Eggs a number of different ways. I prefer mayonnaise if I am making a batch without them because it sticks flour or breadcrumbs well with some added tenderness and flavor too.

How do you make homemade chicken nuggets fluffier?

You may want a lighter coating on the outside. In this case try dredging in egg and pressing Panko breadcrumbs on the outside. These will get them crunchy but not as heavy as coating with flour which can become heavy and dense.

How can I make homemade chicken nuggets that are crispy and delicious?

Make your own from scratch at home! Use cubed boneless chicken breasts coated in egg and breadcrumbs or flour with seasonings you love. You can deep fry, bake or cook in the air fryer like we show you here to make the best breaded chunks of chicken.

How can you make homemade chicken nuggets taste like Chick Fil A?

Include pickle juice and powdered sugar into your coating!! Seriously that is the best way to make a copy cat version of their breast bite sized pieces. pair with Chick fil a Sauce you can buy at the store now and air fry to golden brown.

ninja foodi chicken nuggets

How to cut chicken breast into nuggets?

This is easy, easier if you freeze them for about 1 hours. They will get stiffer so using a sharp knife it will slide right thru so the edges are straight. Hold one hand on one side and slice into thick strips. Then rotate all of those the other way and cut into 1×1″ cubes.

Get your kids involved in the kitchen making these and dipping, dipping, and dredging. Mine love cooking and baking now that I have worked with them over the years. It makes them want to try new things when they can say “I made it myself.” Of course you need to do the slicing and anything involving heat with little ones but as they get older they can take over more responsibilities.

air fryer nuggets

Tips

Tips to remember when making this Cosori air fryer recipe or with any other hot air machine: 1. Always preheat your machine, this will make it cook more evenly. 2. Make pieces the same size so they’re all done at the same time and don’t get too done. 3. Lay meat on paper towels so the outsides are dry before breading so it sticks.

Directions

  • Preheat air fryer to 370 F for 5 minutes.
  • Remove meat from marinade and place on a few paper towels just so excess moisture is absorbed and coating will stick well.
  • Lay cubed meat on paper towels to remove moisture on the outside. This will help coating to stick.
  • Spray non stick cooking oil into the basket so nothing sticks. Breading with flour likes to do that and can remove it entirely.
  • Do not overlap your food, even when cooking frozen chicken breast in air fryer it can inhibit the air from circulating properly.
  • Oil spray is necessary to moisten the outside as well as getting that really crispy chicken crunch you’ll want.

If you follow these steps and tips you will get the best result possible. You may never buy them ready made or at restaurants again after this. 😉 Jump to recipe and get started.

Homemade Chicken Nuggets Air Fryer recipe

What goes best with chicken nuggets?

Super kid friendly if you serve them with all sorts of different dipping sauces on the side! I’m telling you that you’ll be the coolest mom if you serve it this way for dinner some night. Plate for everyone with chicken divided up. Then put some of each sauce in a small dixie cup to dip away!

  • You could just sprinkle parmesan cheese on top if you wanted a less messy option.
  • Honey mustard is easy and you can get it ready made in a jar.
  • Our bang bang sauce is incredible, or Qdoba salsa verde for a bit of spice.
  • The most popular would be ketchup or fry sauce around here.
How to Make Fry Sauce

How do you make leftover chicken nuggets crunchy?

The only way to go is reheating chicken in air fryer, hands down, don’t microwave or the breading will just slide right off. In the fridge the texture on the outside will become gooey and not great. It needs a flash of hot air to crisp it up for a few minutes.

It all comes down to spraying oil on the outsides. Spray coated chicken pieces with peanut or olive oil spray. When full but pieces are not overlapping cook for 8 minutes flipping pieces over halfway through. For extra crispy pieces spray with olive oil again after flipping over at minute 4. To make homemade air fryer fish nuggets follow this recipe too!!

homemade fish nuggets

Before you go I want you to sign up for my free newsletter!! You will get all my new recipes emailed to you a few times a week that will help with meal planning for the week.

Want to see a few of my favorite things that I am totally obsessed with?? Take a peek and see how many you might already have…twinsies!

Looking for more easy family recipes and tips? LIKE The Typical Mom Facebook page because we share all our new creations there every single day. And follow me on Pinterest for more inspirations! 😉

***** If you LOVED this recipe give it 5 Stars below and let everyone know what you thought about it. 😉

the typical mom
chick fil a air fryer nuggets
Print Pin
No ratings yet

Homemade Chicken Nuggets Air Fryer

Want a dupe Chick Fil A nuggets recipe? We have a killer homemade chicken nuggets air fryer recipe with no egg that is a great copycat!
Course Entree, Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword chick fil a, chicken nuggets, copycat, homemade
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 177kcal
Author The Typical Mom

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Pour pickle juice on chicken pieces in a bowl. Let it marinate for 30 minutes. Lay pieces on paper towels just to remove excess moisture on the outsides.
  • On a plate combine flour, powdered sugar, slat, pepper and paprika. Mix together.
  • With egg – In a shallow bowl whisk together milk and egg. One at a time dredge chicken into flour mixture, then into egg wash and back into flour mix. Shake off excess. Spray non stick or olive oil spray in preheated basket. Place coated pieces into air fryer basket in a single layer.
  • Without egg – One at a time brush each piece with mayonnaise, then dredge into flour mixture so it sticks and is nicely coated. Shake off excess. Spray non stick or olive oil spray in preheated basket. Place coated pieces into air fryer basket in a single layer.
  • Preheat air fryer to 370 F for 5 minutes.
  • Spray chicken with olive oil spray. When full but not overlapping cook for 8 minutes flipping pieces over halfway through.
  • For extra crispy pieces spray with olive oil again after flipping over at minute 4.
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Chicken Nuggets Air Fryer
Amount Per Serving (2 oz)
Calories 177 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 31mg10%
Sodium 1395mg61%
Potassium 106mg3%
Carbohydrates 33g11%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 189IU4%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 57mg6%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
air fryer copy cat chicken nuggets
Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Jennifer

Wednesday 2nd of February 2022

Could these be made ahead and frozen? I have a disabled brother and we are trying to find healthy options for him to warm up In The air fryer he received for Christmas.

The Typical Mom

Wednesday 2nd of February 2022

I haven't tried that but I imagine if you cooked them, cooled, layed flat on a baking sheet, freeze them that way and then add into gallon freezer bags it would work just as well as taking out processed nuggets and reheating.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.