This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.
Cook your child’s favorite frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer to perfection with this simple post that includes my tips for avoiding soggy or burnt pieces.
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets
We all have busy days when we need to make dinner fast and the only thing left in the freezer is a bag of nuggets. That’s what they are for: emergency dinners! With all my tips, you will be able to cook frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer perfectly crispy and delicious!
The air fryer is my favorite method to cook fish sticks, homemade chicken nuggets, chicken tenders, Uncrustables (yes, really!) and, of course, the most epic chicken nuggets. It takes less than 15 minutes, no oil frying mess and the texture is to die for!
How to Air Fry Chicken Nuggets
In the recipe card below, you’ll find the time and temperature for cooking frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer, but first, here’s what you need to know about the process:
- Preheat the air fryer
A hot basket ensures even heating and crispy exteriors. - Cook
You can cook the nuggets over the tray or use an air fryer liner. If you use a liner, you’ll need to flip them halfway through. - Enjoy!
Use kitchen tongs to remove the nuggets from the air fryer, and enjoy them with your favorite sauces and sides!
How Long to Cook Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer
Store-bought chicken nuggets are already fully cooked, so all you want to do is warm them up and make them crispy. With the air fryer at 400F, frozen nuggets are ready after 6 to 8 minutes. If your chicken nuggets are thicker, you may need to add 2 extra minutes to the cooking time.
If you’re cooking frozen homemade nuggets, like my paleo chicken nuggets and my Chick-fil-A nuggets, they’ll need about 12 to 15 minutes at 400F to be fully cooked.
Tips & Tricks
Follow these extra tips and tricks to cook frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer perfectly every time:
Don’t thaw
You can cook the frozen chicken nuggets straight out of the freezer-there's no need to thaw them!
Leave some space
Place the chicken nuggets in a single layer in the basket to let air circulate and achieve a crispy breading. Don’t stack them or put them too close together. If necessary, work in batches.
Make them extra crispy!
You don't need to spray the nuggets with cooking spray, but you can lightly spray them if you want them extra crispy.
Best Dipping Sauce for Air Fryer Nuggets
Making frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer is super simple, but you know what’s difficult? Choosing one dipping sauce! Well, who says you have to pick only one? My favorites are homemade ketchup, Ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, and my copycat recipe of Cane’s sauce. So good!
Fun Kid-Friendly Sides
Turn crispy chicken nuggets into a balanced meal by serving them with carrot raisin salad or veggie mac and cheese. Wait. Do your kids love fries? I’m sure they do -and you too- so make potatoes healthy with my Baked Garlic Parmesan Fries Recipe! Lastly, you can always pair these with homemade Spaghettios. My youngest loves to dip his chicken in the spaghetti bowl, and I say hey, at least he’s eating them!
Frozen Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer
Watch how it’s made:
Ingredients
- 8 frozen chicken nuggets
Instructions
Prep:
- Preheat the air fryer at 400F for 5 minutes. Starting with a hot basket ensures even heating and crisper exteriors.
Cook:
- Place the frozen chicken nuggets in a single layer in your air fryer basket on top of the wire rack. With a wire rack, both sides will cook evenly, and flipping isn't always necessary.
- Air fry them at 400F for 6 to 8 minutes, adding 2 minutes of cooking time at a time if your nuggets are thicker. If you use an air fryer liner, you'll want to flip them over and cook the second side for the last 3 minutes or so.
Serve:
- Remove the cooked chicken nuggets from the air fryer using kitchen tongs and serve them warm with your favorite dips.
Denise says
Thank you for sharing this! My air fryer made the perfect chicken nuggets! No more over cooking them haha!
Jolyn says
First, I’m cooking frozen chicken in the air fryer. The chicken breast or juicy and really good!
Finch says
My kids loved them!
Risa says
Printed this out for my son and he was so proud to be able to air fry his own dino nuggets.
Judy says
This was so easy, I’m teaching my 10 year old how to do it for herself next time too! She’s so excited to have a method she can make safely on her own.