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Air fryer healthy chicken nuggets.

Healthy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets (No Breading)

Julia
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!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Servings 10 nuggets
Calories 57 kcal

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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

INSTRUCTIONS
 

  • 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!

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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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
Tried this recipe?@theyummy_bowl and tag #theyummy_bowl! Thank you!