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Crispy Copycat Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets – Best Easy Lunchbox Bites

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These crispy copycat air fryer chicken nuggets are quick, easy, and made with simple ingredients. Perfect for lunchboxes, they stay crunchy and are a crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2–3 breasts)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup cornflakes, slightly crushed
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon salt (for coating)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (for coating)
  • Olive oil spray
  • Dipping sauces of your choice (ketchup, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, ranch, or sriracha mayo)

Instructions

  1. Prep the chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Cut into bite-sized pieces, about 1 to 1½ inches each. Toss with 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Set aside for 5 minutes.
  2. Set up breading station: In three shallow bowls, place flour in the first; whisk eggs and milk in the second; in the third, combine panko, crushed cornflakes, Parmesan, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Crush cornflakes in a zip-top bag with a rolling pin until pieces are pea-sized.
  3. Bread the nuggets: Dredge each chicken piece in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into egg wash, letting excess drip off. Press into breadcrumb mixture, coating all sides. Place on a baking sheet. Use one hand for dry ingredients and one for wet. Let breaded nuggets rest for 5-10 minutes.
  4. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes. Lightly spray the basket with olive oil.
  5. Cook nuggets: Place nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, not overcrowding. Lightly spray tops with oil. Cook at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway. At 5 minutes, flip nuggets and spray the other side. Cook until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  6. Rest and serve: Let nuggets rest in the basket for 1 minute, then transfer to a plate or wire rack. Serve immediately with dipping sauces.

Notes

For extra crunch, let breaded nuggets rest uncovered in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before cooking. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. If nuggets brown too quickly, lower temperature to 375°F and add 2-3 minutes. For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour, panko, and cornflakes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken nuggets, crispy chicken nuggets, lunchbox bites, copycat nuggets, easy chicken nuggets, homemade chicken nuggets

Find it online: https://spoonette.com/crispy-copycat-air-fryer-chicken-nuggets-best-easy-lunchbox-bites/