I love me some chicken nuggets. And chicken wings! Especially air fried. Not only is it very easy to do, but they always come out crispy and delicious. Always. They’re much better than deep-frying them in the oven.
How Long to Air Fry Frozen Chicken Nuggets? You will need 12 to 15 minutes to air fry your frozen chicken nuggets at 400°F or 200°C. If you air fry them at a slightly lower temperature or wants them crispier, then it will take only a few minutes longer.
Some air fryers can fully cook frozen chicken nuggets at a lower temperature for the same amount of time. This will depend on your air fryer, and you should always check the cooking times for your air fryer.
Check the links below for times needed for different air fryer brands.
Now let’s see how long do various air fryers take, how to actually make chicken nuggets, which sauces can you use, and what to serve them with.
How Long to Cook Frozen Chicken Nuggets in Air Fryer?
For most air fryers the time it takes to cook frozen chicken nuggets is usually the same, about 12 to 15 minutes, at 400°F.
However, some air fryers cook faster than others. One of the best ones is COSORI Air Fryer Max XL. For specific times to cook various types of food, including meat, vegetables, and eggs, then check the cooking chart for your favorite air fryer.
Check the links below (manufacturer’s websites) for cooking times of some of the most popular air fryers:
- COSORI Air Fryer, Max XL and user guide
- Power AirFryer XL (cooking times at page 10)
- Ninja Foodi OP300 Series cooking times
- Cosori CP158-AF cooking times
- Ninja AF100 cooking chart
- Instant VORTEX cooking times
- Philips Air Fryer cooking times
These are all manufacturer’s pages for specific brands of air fryers. Check them out to see how long to cook various foods.
Why Should You Air Fry Frozen Chicken Nuggets?
One of the main reasons is that they are always delicious, of course.
They’re not like in the oven: they aren’t covered in oil, they come out crispy and tender, and they won’t burn or become soggy.
Another thing is that they are a bit healthier because they aren’t being deep-fried. This is true for air frying chicken wings as well. So if you’re looking for a delicious way to cook frozen chicken nuggets, but also a healthier way – then air frying them is the way to go. However, they are still less healthy than if you made your own chicken nuggets from scratch.
But, if you want to make sure you’re eating healthy frozen chicken nuggets, then check below and choose the healthiest brands for your family.
Here are the top reasons why to air fry frozen chicken nuggets:
- delicious: crispy on the outside, tender on the inside
- healthier than deep frying them
- you save on your bills compared to oven cooking
- it’s much easier
- it’s fast, and quicker than other methods
There are many different frozen chicken nugget brands to choose from, and you’ve probably tried a few of them. Maybe even have your own favorite. Here is how to air fry your favorite ones.
How to Make Frozen Chicken Nuggets in Airfryer?
This is how to cook frozen chicken nuggets in air fryer. It’s very easy, and takes about 12 minutes, plus the prep time.
Time to cook: 12 to 15 minutes
1. Place your favorite frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket. Don’t put them over each other if you want them crispy. No preheating required.
2. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees for 6 minutes. Start it up.
3. After 6 minutes, flip your chicken nuggets over (or simply shake the basket) and set the timer for 5-6 minutes more.
4. If you want them crispy, put some olive oil towards the end (minute 10) and fry them for a few minutes more
5. After 12 minutes of air frying, take them out and they’re now ready to be munched with your favorite dipping sauce.
Your chicken nuggets are no longer frozen – they are now golden, crispy heaven. Yummy!
You can dip them in variety of sauces:
- barbecue sauce
- Buffalo sauce
- simply ketchup or mustard
- make your own McDonald’s teriyaki sauce
- tzatziki sauce
- nacho cheese
- mayo or even honey,
- and many more.
You can serve them with:
- roasted broccoli,
- sweet potato fries,
- mashed potatoes,
- macaroni and cheese,
- pasta salad
- dinner rolls stuffed with cheese,
- and many more inventive dishes.
Reheat Chicken Nuggets in Air Fryer
Reheating in air fryer is much better than reheating in a microwave. Why?
Well, because microwaved food always comes out rubbery and soggy. It loses all the crispiness, and simply isn’t nearly as good as reheating in an air fryer. You can even reheat your Mcdonald’s or Chick-Fil-A nuggets, and they will come out delicious and remain crispy.
Reheating chicken nuggets in air fryer takes only 5 to 8 minutes.
To reheat your chicken nuggets:
- Place your chicken nuggets in air fryer basket (don’t overlap them)
- Set the temperature at 380 degrees for 2-3 minutes
- Pull out the basket and shake the nuggets
- Put back in and air fry for 2-3 minutes more
And you’re done!
You chicken nuggets should be crispy and delicious.
Check out my post: “How Long to Air Fry Frozen Chicken Wings?“
How to Make Frozen Chicken Nuggets Crispy?
To get your frozen chicken nuggets crispy there are 3 things you can do:
- Don’t put too many frozen chicken nuggets in your air fryer
- Don’t put your chicken nuggets on top of each other
- Put some olive oil towards the end when air frying
- Leave them 1-2 minutes longer to air fry
What Are the Healthiest Frozen Chicken Nuggets?
Air frying frozen chicken nuggets is a healthier form of cooking your nuggets, compared to deep frying them. But, less healthy than making your own chicken nuggets. What you can do to make them even healthier, is to choose the healthiest brands out there.
The healthiest frozen chicken nuggets are the ones that don’t use antibiotics, which don’t feature a huge list of ingredients (meaning it’s not heavily processed) and which are organic in nature.
Here are some of the healthiest frozen chicken nuggets according to nutritionists:
Bell & Evans Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets
They’re one of the healthiest because they are made from chicken breast meat, they don’t use too many ingredients in them and have a lot of fiber per serving, compared to other similar brands.
Bell & Evans chicken breast nuggets don’t use antibiotics, the chicken is organic and the chickens are fed on US –grown organic grain.
Nature Raised Farms Organic Gluten-Free Chicken Breast Nuggets
Similar to Bell & Evans, these Nature Raised Farms chicken nuggets don’t have too long of a list of ingredients, only a lot of spices, but no sugar. They also contain healthy oils in them.
Natalie Monson, a registered dietitian says to focus on while foods, and the ones without antibiotics. Nature raised farms frozen chicken nuggets are one of the examples.
Applegate Chicken Nuggets
Applegate chicken nuggets include a simple list of ingredients, from chickens which were on a vegetarian diet, and raised without the use of antibiotics.
This type is organic, but Applegate produces two types of chicken nuggets: one is labeled “organic”, the other one is labeled “natural”. Which one is better?
The “organic” one is better, because organic is a regulated term in the industry, while “natural” is not. Labels with this term usually mean that the food is “minimally processed with no artificial ingredients”, but that means nothing.
Earth’s Best Chicken Nuggets for Kids
Earth’s Best are made from chicken raised without the use of antibiotics, and with whole wheat flour. They are also made from chicken breast meat.
The only downside is that there is cane sugar in the ingredients. But, there is a huge difference between openly stating they use a bit of sugar compared to those companies who use the “loophole” which allows them to place “zero” if contains less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving. So, if you don’t mind a bit of sugar, this is a good choice.
At least you know there isn’t anything hidden in the ingredients.
There are many more good products of frozen chicken nuggets out there, but these are one of the healthiest ones, according to nutritionists interviewed by HuffPost Food & Drink.
Do you personally care much about health of your chicken nuggets? Why?
Leave the comment below, I would love to hear what people think.
Related Questions:
Are Frozen Chicken Nuggets PreCooked?
Some are and some aren’t. It varies, but if you are unsure, then always assume they are not pre-cooked, and air fry them properly before eating.
Most frozen chicken nuggets are not pre-cooked, so it’s better to always assume they are not.
Credits: Applegate for cover photo. Cropped.
