Cooking Time: How Long To Air Fry Frozen Chicken Nuggets

What's the cooking time for frozen chicken nuggets in an air fryer?

Frozen chicken nuggets take about 10 - 15 minutes in an air fryer.

It is recommended to set the temperature to around 180 degrees Celsius. Turning the nuggets over once during the process will give better results. The specific time can be slightly adjusted according to the size of the chicken nuggets and the power of the air fryer. If the nuggets are larger, bake them for two or three more minutes.

Details of the operation:

There is no need to defrost first. Take the nuggets directly from the freezer and spread them flat in the air fryer basket without stacking them. If there is ice on the surface of the chicken nuggets, gently pat it off with kitchen paper. This will make the fried nuggets more crispy.

When turning the nuggets over during the process, gently poke them with tongs. If the surface feels firm, it means they are almost ready.

Should I spray oil on frozen chicken nuggets before air frying?

There is no need to spray oil specifically. Frozen chicken nuggets usually have a small amount of oil on their surface already, so you can fry them directly. However, if you prefer a crispier outer crust, you can spray a thin layer of oil. Don't use too much, otherwise they will become soggy.

Here are a few tips:

If the air fryer basket tends to stick, it's better to lay air fryer paper or place a baking silicone mat to make it easier to turn the nuggets over.

If you notice the surface drying out when turning them over, you can spray a tiny bit of oil, but this is not necessary.

Most commercially available chicken nuggets have already been pre - fried, and they have enough oil content. Spraying too much oil will actually affect the taste.

How can you tell when air fried chicken nuggets are done?

The most straightforward and accurate way is to use a kitchen thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the chicken nugget. When the temperature reaches 74°C (165°F), it means the chicken nugget is cooked.

Don't worry if you don't have a thermometer:

Use chopsticks to poke open the largest chicken nugget. If the meat has completely turned white and there are no bloodstreaks, it's ready.

The optimal state is when the outer skin shows a uniform golden color with slightly crispy edges.

If you still hear a hissing sound from inside, it is recommended to let it sit with the heat off for 1 minute to allow the remaining moisture to evaporate with the residual heat.

How do you make frozen chicken nuggets crispy in an air fryer?

Preheat the temperature properly

Preheat the air fryer at 200 degrees Celsius for 5 minutes with an empty basket. High temperature allows the outer layer of the chicken nuggets to set instantly. Take the chicken nuggets directly from the freezer without thawing. The surface ice crystals will form a crispy crust more quickly when exposed to high temperature.

Flip the chicken nuggets twice during the process

Set the total cooking time to 12 minutes. Pull out the fryer basket quickly at the 4 - minute and 8 - minute marks. Use chopsticks to flip each chicken nugget so that the parts that were pressed at the bottom can also be evenly heated. Be gentle when flipping to avoid the crispy skin from peeling off.

Force out the oil with high heat in the final stage

When there are 2 minutes left, adjust the temperature to 210 degrees Celsius. This step is similar to double - frying in deep - frying, which can force out the excess oil trapped in the crispy skin and create a crispy and porous texture with tiny bubbles on the surface at the same time.

Let the chicken nuggets air - dry on a rack after taking them out of the fryer

Don't pile the fried chicken nuggets on a plate. Instead, place them on a baking rack or kitchen paper. The metal rack can prevent the bottom from becoming soggy due to the trapped steam and continue to release the excess moisture, maintaining the crispiness for a longer time.

What sauces go well with air fried chicken nuggets?

Let me share several dipping sauces that go perfectly well with air - fried chicken nuggets and will surely make the chicken nuggets taste even better!

Classics that are a must:

Honey mustard sauce: It is a perfect combination of sweetness and spiciness. If you make it yourself, just mix Dijon mustard and honey in a ratio of 2:1.

Ketchup and mayonnaise mix: Mix them in a ratio of 1:1. It's simple yet versatile. Adding a little lemon juice will make it more appetizing.

Refreshing and Grease - relieving options:

Yogurt mint sauce: Add chopped mint leaves and minced garlic to Greek yogurt. It's very appetizing.

Guacamole: Mash ripe avocados, add lemon juice and black pepper. It's thick and refreshing.

Recommendations for those who love strong flavors:

Special Korean spicy sauce blend: Mix Korean spicy sauce and Sprite in a ratio of 3:1 and sprinkle with some white sesame seeds. It's spicy and exciting.

BBQ sauce with peanuts: Combine thick BBQ sauce with crispy crushed peanuts. It's extremely satisfying.

Is it better to air fry or microwave frozen chicken nuggets?

In terms of taste, you should definitely choose the air fryer.

Although you can have the chicken nuggets ready in three minutes using a microwave, when the chicken nuggets are heated in the microwave, moisture seeps out. The outer skin becomes soggy as if it has been soaked in water, and the inner meat also becomes dry and tough.

The high - temperature circulating hot air in the air fryer can restore the frozen chicken nuggets to a state close to that of just - fried ones. The outer layer is crispy while the inner layer is juicy.

Especially for the types with breadcrumbs, when heated in the microwave, the breadcrumbs absorb moisture and become tough. On the contrary, the air fryer can bake them to have a fragrant and charred edge.

If you must use a microwave, you can do the following: First, wrap the chicken nuggets with kitchen paper to absorb some of the moisture, then heat them on medium power for 1 minute, flip them over and continue heating for 30 seconds.

Or first defrost them in the microwave and then transfer them to the air fryer and fry at 200 degrees Celsius for 3 minutes. But going through all these steps is not as convenient as just using the air fryer throughout the process.