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Air fryer healthy chicken nuggets.

Healthy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets (No Breading)

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These Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets (No Breading) are made with real ingredients like chicken, potatoes, and onion—perfect for busy weeknights and kid-friendly dinners!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 10 nuggets
Course: Main Course
Calories: 57

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces chicken breast or tenderloins boneless skinless
  • 8 ounces potatoes boiled
  • 1 small sweet onion or regular onion
  • 1 egg yolk
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1 pinch black pepper
  • 2 teaspoon soy sauce I used low-sodium
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Method
 

  1. Blend ingredients: Add all ingredients to a food processor and pulse until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  2. Shape nuggets: Lightly oil your hands. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the mixture and shape into nugget-sized patties (round or rectangular, your choice!).
  3. 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).
  4. Crisp them up: Lightly spray the tops with olive oil before the final few minutes of cooking to help them get golden and crisp.
  5. Serve and enjoy: Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce!

Nutrition

Calories: 57kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 6gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.4gTrans Fat: 0.003gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 212mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 33IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.4mg

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.

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