best air fryer chicken nuggets
Introduction
As someone who loves cooking, I’ve been fascinated by the rise of air fryers in recent years. Air fryers are the perfect solution for health-conscious home cooks who want crunchy, delicious food without the guilt. The prospect of perfectly cooked chicken nuggets with no added oils is an exciting one, so I decided to put several air fryer models to the test to find the best one for making chicken nuggets.
Criteria for the Best Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Before I could start testing air fryers, I needed to establish what makes great chicken nuggets. For me, the perfect nugget is crispy on the outside, moist and flavorful on the inside, and not too heavy or greasy. I also wanted to ensure the chicken was cooked through to a safe temperature of 165°F.
Air frying chicken nuggets creates a unique texture that is different from traditional frying methods. Thanks to the hot circulating air in the air fryer, the outside of the nuggets gets crispy without being greasy, while the inside stays moist and tender.
Top Picks for the Best Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
After conducting extensive research and testing, I’ve come up with the following top picks for the best air fryer chicken nuggets:
1. Philips Airfryer XXL
The Philips Airfryer XXL is the king of air fryers, thanks to its large capacity and precise cooking capabilities. It’s perfect for families, as it can hold up to a whole bag of chicken nuggets. The XXL boasts advanced temperature and time control technology, making it easy to ensure perfect cooking results every time.
2. Ninja Foodi Digital Fry
The Ninja Foodi Digital Fry offers unparalleled versatility, as it can air fry, bake, roast, and even dehydrate foods. It has a large cooking capacity, but takes up less space than other large-capacity air fryers. The Foodi also has a unique crisping lid that can be used to give chicken nuggets an even crunchier texture.
3. Cosori Smart WiFi Air Fryer
The Cosori Smart WiFi Air Fryer is a great option for tech-savvy cooks who want to control their cooking from their phone. Its 5.8-quart capacity is perfect for cooking large batches of chicken nuggets, and it also has a preheat function for faster cooking times.
Comparison Chart
Price
- Philips Airfryer XXL – $299.95
- Ninja Foodi Digital Fry – $129.99
- Cosori Smart WiFi Air Fryer – $119.99
Cooking Time
- Philips Airfryer XXL – 5-7 minutes
- Ninja Foodi Digital Fry – 10-15 minutes
- Cosori Smart WiFi Air Fryer – 12-16 minutes
Serving Size
- Philips Airfryer XXL – Up to a whole bag of chicken nuggets
- Ninja Foodi Digital Fry – 2-4 servings
- Cosori Smart WiFi Air Fryer – 3-5 servings
Tips for Making Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
While the air fryer does most of the work, there are a few tips to ensure perfect chicken nuggets every time:
- Preheat the air fryer to ensure even cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket or the nuggets won’t cook evenly.
- Brush the nuggets with a light coat of oil or cooking spray for extra crispiness.
- Turn the nuggets halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
- Season the nuggets with your favorite spices for extra flavor.
Conclusion
Air fryers are a great investment for any home cook looking to eat healthier without sacrificing flavor. After testing several air fryers, my top picks for the best air fryer chicken nuggets are the Philips Airfryer XXL, the Ninja Foodi Digital Fry, and the Cosori Smart WiFi Air Fryer. With a little practice and patience, anyone can create perfectly crispy and delicious chicken nuggets in an air fryer.
List of 10 best air fryer chicken nuggets
- Now enjoy guilt free food; Air fry with up to 75 percent less fat than traditional frying methods; Tested against hand cut, deep fried French fries
- Wide temperature range: 105 degree Fahrenheit to 400 degrees Fahrenheit allows you to gently remove moisture from foods or quickly cook and crisp foods with convection heat
- 4 quart ceramic coated nonstick basket and crisper plate fit 2 pounds of french fries. Cord length (feet) - 2.6
- The unit will need time to preheat before coming up to temperature. We recommend that you preheat the unit for 3 minutes before adding your ingredients to achieve the best results
- Dehydrate: Create flat, chip like dehydrated foods for fun, homemade snacks pounds; The combination of low fan speed and low temperature enables thorough dehydration
- 6-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Air fry, broil, roast, dehydrate, bake and reheat
- EvenCrisp TECHNOLOGY: Advanced technology that drives air flow top down for a perfect golden finish and crispy, tender results every time!
- ONE-TOUCH SMART PROGRAMS: Customizable programs for one-touch wings, roasted veggies, garlicky potatoes, cookies, cinnamon buns and more!
- FAST PREHEATING: Little to no preheating time, from frozen to golden in minutes! Create gourmet meals with the versatility of a temperature range of 95 to 400° F.
- EASY CLEAN-UP: Non-stick, dishwasher safe air fry basket and tray.
- 6-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat and dehydrate
- WATCH YOUR FOOD COOK: ClearCook window and internal light to easily monitor cooking progress without opening the basket
- ODOR ERASE TECHNOLOGY: Built-in, replaceable air filters remove odors during cooking to reduce lingering cooking smells.
- EvenCrisp TECHNOLOGY: Advanced technology that drives air flow top down for a perfect golden finish and crispy, tender results every time!
- ONE-TOUCH SMART PROGRAMS: Customizable programs for one-touch wings, roasted veggies, garlicky potatoes, cookies, cinnamon buns and more!
- MORE THAN 12-IN-1: 12 functions for Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Toast, etc. Explore more possibilities by saving your preferred time and temperature
- FULLY MEET FAMILY NEEDS: 2-layer even cooking, The oven’s 26 quart / 25-liter capacity 1 layer fits up to 6 slices of bread, a 12-inch pizza, or a 5lbs whole chicken
- ENJOY MEALS IN MINUTES: 6 heat elements, a 2-speed fan, and temperatures up to 450°F allow cooking up to 30% faster than a traditional convection oven
- COOK SMARTER: Just pick up your smartphone and tap the VeSync app to make meals at the touch of a button, or enjoy hands-free control of your toast oven by connecting to the Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: 1 x wire rack, 1 x food tray, 1 x fry basket, 1 x user manual, 1 x recipe book（30 chef-made recipes, more on the VeSync app). Search B0B92TPHTV,B0B93CMST3, B0B8ZNVRX3 for accessories
- 4-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Air fry, broil, roast and reheat.
- EvenCrisp TECHNOLOGY: Advanced technology that drives air flow top down for a perfect golden finish and crispy, tender results every time!
- ONE-TOUCH SMART PROGRAMS: Customizable programs for one-touch wings, roasted veggies, garlicky potatoes, cookies, cinnamon buns and more!
- FAST PREHEATING: Little to no preheating time, from frozen to golden in minutes! Create gourmet meals with the versatility of a temperature range of 120 to 400° F.
- EASY CLEAN-UP: Non-stick, dishwasher safe air fry basket and tray.
- 6-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat and dehydrate
- WATCH YOUR FOOD COOK: ClearCook window and internal light to easily monitor cooking progress without opening the basket
- EvenCrisp TECHNOLOGY: Advanced technology that allows air flow for a perfect golden finish and crispy, tender results every time!
- PROGRESS BAR: Know where you are in the cooking process with an easy-view bar and messages when to add and turn food
- ONE-TOUCH SMART PROGRAMS: Customizable programs for one-touch wings, roasted veggies, garlicky potatoes, cookies, cinnamon buns and more!
- XL CAPACITY: With the 5.5 qt. nonstick basket and crisper plate, you can save time by cooking up to 3 lbs. of French fries or wings with ease.
- 5-IN-1 VERSATILE FUNCTIONALITY: Includes 5 versatile cooking programs: Air Fry, Air Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate. BPA free: Yes
- LESS FAT: Up to 75% less fat than traditional air frying methods. Tested against hand-cut, deep-fried French fries.
- EASY CLEANING: Both the basket and crisper plate are nonstick, easy-to-clean and dishwasher safe.
- WIDE TEMPERATURE RANGE: 105°F to 400°F allows you to gently remove moisture from foods or quickly cook and crisp foods with convection heat.
- HEALTHY FRYING: Achieve perfect fried results with little or even no oil! Temperature range from 200°F - 400°F allows you to cook at your desired temperature, achieving a healthy, crispy, fried finish using at least 98% less oil than traditional fryers.
- SPACE SAVING COMPACT SIZE: The personal size air fryer saves space on your counter and in your cabinet; perfect for any small kitchen, dorm, office, RV trips, and more!
- VERSATILITY: Manual temperature control & 60-minute integrated timer lets you air-fry everything from frozen veggies, chicken & even reheat yesterday's dessert! The detachable BPA-Free basket, cool touch exterior, & auto-shutoff ensures added safety & security.
- EASY CLEAN: The Black basket and tray are removable and top rack dishwasher safe, so your meal is as easy to clean as it is healthy and delicious. Basket is nonstick, so no cooking spray is required!
- RESOURCES: cETL approved with advanced safety technology for long lasting durability, & 1-year warranty provided by Chefman, so you can purchase worry-free - we've got your back! For information on how to use your product, scroll down for a PDF User Guide. – RJ38-2LM
- 2-IN-1 FLIP FUNCTIONALITY: Toaster and Compact Toaster Oven in one small footprint. Flip up for toaster mode and flip down to unlock oven mode.
- PERFECT TOAST: More even toasting vs. a traditional toaster based on front to back evenness, in one compact, 1500-watt appliance.
- VERSATILE FUNCTIONS: Choose from the Toast, Bagel, Defrost, Bake, Broil, and Reheat functions.
- TOAST YOUR WAY: A 70% wider slot vs. traditional slot toaster fits long artisan breads or bakery-style bagels. Customize the Toast and Bagel functions to your desired level of doneness with 7 shade settings.
- RAPID OVEN TECHNOLOGY: With up to 400°F of heat and no preheat required, cook up to 35% faster vs. a full-size electric oven.
- Four most-loved Grill Mates Seasonings together in one set
- Easily add bold flavor to steaks, burgers, chicken and more on your grill
- Not just for meat. Add umami flavor to mashed potatoes and roasted veggies
- Grilling spices make a great housewarming gift for everyone
- Add deep flavor to salads with Roasted Garlic and Herb Seasoning
People also ask
What are air fryer chicken nuggets?
Air fryer chicken nuggets are chicken nuggets that have been cooked in an air fryer. The air fryer uses hot air to cook the nuggets, giving them a crispy outer layer while keeping the inside moist and tender.
What makes air fryer chicken nuggets a healthier option?
Since air fryers use hot air to cook food, they don’t require oil or a lot of added fats, making them a healthier option than deep-fried chicken nuggets.
What are the steps to making the best air fryer chicken nuggets?
Start by preparing the chicken by cutting it into nugget-sized pieces. Then, coat the chicken nuggets in breadcrumbs mixed with seasoning. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and place the nuggets in a single layer in the basket. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through.
What can I serve alongside air fryer chicken nuggets?
There are a variety of sides that pair well with air fryer chicken nuggets, including french fries, roasted vegetables, and a side salad.
Can I make air fryer chicken nuggets ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the chicken nuggets ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook them in the air fryer.
How long do air fryer chicken nuggets last in the fridge?
Air fryer chicken nuggets will last for up to three days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container.