These easy air fryer chicken nuggets take just 8 simple ingredients and 20 minutes to make! No breading, no frying-just real food and real flavor.
They're perfect for toddlers, picky eaters, and anyone trying to eat a little healthier without giving up comfort food.
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Why I Love This
- I love these healthy nuggets for their soft, super juicy, and lightly crisped texture, without needing breadcrumbs or frying oil.
- They're a great option if you're avoiding gluten or want a lighter take on a classic. And yes, even my kids love them for healthy school lunches!
Ingredients
- Chicken breast or tenderloins - Boneless, skinless, and easy to work with. You'll need about 8 ounces. You can also use cooked chicken in a pinch.
- Boiled potatoes - About 8 ounces. This is the secret to keeping the nuggets moist and tender without any breading.
- Onion - I usually go for sweet onion, but yellow or white onion works fine too. It adds a bit of flavor and moisture.
- Egg yolk - Just one yolk helps bind everything together and adds richness.
- Salt + black pepper - Start with ½ teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper, then adjust to taste.
- Low-sodium soy sauce - Adds a little umami and saltiness. Tamari works too if you're gluten-free.
- Cornstarch - Helps firm up the texture a bit so the nuggets hold their shape.
📋 You can find the full ingredient list in the Recipe Card below the article.
How To Make Healthy Chicken Nuggets
- Blend ingredients: Add all ingredients to a food processor and pulse until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Shape nuggets: Lightly oil your hands. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the mixture and shape into nugget-sized patties (round or rectangular, your choice!).
- Air fry: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Place the nuggets in a single layer in the basket. Air fry for 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through (at the 10-minute mark).
- Crisp them up: Lightly spray the tops with olive oil before the final few minutes of cooking to help them get golden and crisp.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce!
Can I make these nuggets without a food processor?
Yes, just mash the potatoes well and finely chop the chicken and onion. Mix thoroughly by hand or with a hand mixer.
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- Use cold potatoes - Boiled ahead and cooled potatoes are easier to handle and blend better.
- Don't overblend - Pulse just until smooth. Overmixing can make the mixture too sticky.
- Oil your hands - This keeps the mixture from sticking when shaping nuggets.
- Keep sizes uniform - This helps the nuggets cook evenly.
- Flip halfway through - For even browning, don't forget the mid-cook flip.
- Spray with oil - A light olive oil spray at the end gives them a crispier finish.
- Add garlic or herbs - A little garlic powder or parsley adds a nice flavor twist.
- Swap soy sauce - Use tamari for gluten-free or coconut aminos for soy-free.
- Double the batch - These freeze well, so make extra!
- Kid-friendly shapes - Use cookie cutters for fun shapes if serving to toddlers.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
I love serving these nuggets with simple sides that turn them into a full meal. Here are a few favorites:
- Dipping Sauces - Try yogurt herb sauce, honey mustard sauce, BBQ, ketchup, or tahini lemon sauce.
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Steamed Broccoli
- Rice or Quinoa Bowls
Freezing And Storing Instructions
- To Store. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To Freeze. Freeze uncooked nuggets on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag once solid. Cook straight from frozen-just add a few minutes to the air fryer time.
- To Make Ahead. Blend the mixture and shape nuggets up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
- To Reheat. Pop them in the air fryer at 325°F for a few minutes until warmed through.
If you use your air fryer often, you can also browse my Amazon storefront with my favorite air fryer tools and kitchen gadgets here, where I've collected many of the accessories I personally use.
More Healthy Toddler Recipes
- Zucchini Corn Fritters
- Cabbage Pancakes
- Sweet Potato Fritters
- Tender Chicken Patties
- Zucchini Fritters
Before You Head Out
If you gave this recipe a try, I'd be so thankful if you could leave a ★★★★★ rating and review below. It helps other readers, supports my work, and means the world to me. Thank you for being part of The Yummy Bowl family. Happy cooking! ❤️
Recipe Card
Healthy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets (No Breading)
Ingredients
Method
- Blend ingredients: Add all ingredients to a food processor and pulse until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Shape nuggets: Lightly oil your hands. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the mixture and shape into nugget-sized patties (round or rectangular, your choice!).
- Air fry: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Place the nuggets in a single layer in the basket. Air fry for 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through (at the 10-minute mark).
- Crisp them up: Lightly spray the tops with olive oil before the final few minutes of cooking to help them get golden and crisp.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce!
Nutrition
Notes
- Can I make these nuggets without a food processor?
Yes, just mash the potatoes well and finely chop the chicken and onion. Mix thoroughly by hand or with a hand mixer. - Do I need to pre-cook the chicken?
Nope! The raw chicken cooks fully in the air fryer. Just make sure it's blended smoothly with the other ingredients. - Can I bake these in the oven?
Yes! Bake at 375°F on a parchment-lined tray for about 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through. - How do I know they're done?
They should be golden on the outside and firm to the touch. You can cut one open to make sure it's no longer pink inside. - What can I use instead of cornstarch?
Arrowroot powder or potato starch works as a substitute. You just need a little binder to hold the nuggets together. - To Store. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To Freeze. Freeze uncooked nuggets on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag once solid. Cook straight from frozen-just add a few minutes to the air fryer time.
- To Reheat. Pop them in the air fryer at 325°F for a few minutes until warmed through.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
FAQs
Nope! The raw chicken cooks fully in the air fryer. Just make sure it's blended smoothly with the other ingredients.
Yes! Bake at 375°F on a parchment-lined tray for about 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
They should be golden on the outside and firm to the touch. You can cut one open to make sure it's no longer pink inside.
Arrowroot powder or potato starch works as a substitute. You just need a little binder to hold the nuggets together.
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