Homemade chicken nuggets in the air fryer are a kid-favorite! These simple chicken nuggets made with ground turkey are super easy to make. Using an air fryer crisps outside just like the store-bought variety without the fat and calories.
Have kids running around the house asking for chicken nuggets for what seems like breakfast, lunch and dinner? Keep reading… this recipe was created with your family in mind. It is a healthier and homemade version of the ever so famous chicken nugget!
Made with ground turkey, this homemade chicken nuggets recipe is filled with flavor and nutrients that kids of all ages will enjoy.
Even better, kids can make this recipe all on their own. As a dietitian, I believe getting kids in the kitchen will not only make them more comfortable but will encourage them to try new foods!
If your kids enjoy creating this recipe, they will have to check out Easy Pretzel Bites, French Toast Muffins, and Ham & Cheese Breakfast Bowl Foil Packs to make for their next meal or snack.
First things first, let’s make these easy homemade chicken nuggets. Gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the step-by-step instructions.
Equipment
- air fryer
- medium-sized mixing bowl
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- 2 shallow bowls
- cookie scoop or spoon
- nonstick cooking spray
- Flipper
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, divided
- 1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs, divided
- 2 large eggs, whisked
How To Make Homemade Chicken Nuggets
1. Blend the ingredients. In a medium-sized bowl, add the ground turkey, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 3 tablespoons of bread crumbs. Mix together using clean hands blending until well mixed.
2. Prepare the egg and breadcrumb coating. Add the whisked eggs to one of the shallow bowls and the remaining bread crumbs to the other. Add 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the bread crumbs. Stir.
3. Coat the nuggets. Using a cookie scoop or spoon scoop about 2 tablespoons of ground turkey mixture. Place the ball into the breadcrumb mixture then coat. Coat it in the egg wash then place it back into the breadcrumbs. Form coated nugget into a chicken nugget shape. Place onto air fryer tray. Repeat for all chicken nuggets. Makes 16 large nuggets or 20 smaller-sized nuggets.
4. Preheat air fryer then bake. Preheat air fryer to 350°F. Spray chicken nuggets with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for 8 minutes. Using a flipper carefully flip nuggets, spray with nonstick cooking spray, then bake an additional 7-8 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 165°F. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Tips
- Encourage kids to wear gloves or to wash their hands immediately after handing the raw ground turkey.
- Make gluten-free chicken nuggets by using gluten-free breadcrumbs or ground up potato chips.
- Double the chili powder by seasoning with 1 teaspoon of chili powder for spicy chicken nuggets.
- Dip the nuggets into ketchup, honey mustard, BBQ or Chick-Fil-A Sauce.
- Assist your kid chef in steps 1, 3 and 4 depending on the age of your child.
- Crisp the nuggets by using a non-stick cooking spray to coat the chicken nuggets prior to frying and once flipped.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cook for 8 minutes then flip and cook an additional 7-8 minutes in the air fryer or oven. We recommend using a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of the nuggets is 165°F before serving.
Yes – ground chicken is a great alternative. Simply swap the ground turkey for ground chicken then follow the same step by step instructions.
Serve with any dipping sauce. Pair with Fruit Salsa, Instant Pot Broccoli (without a steamer basket) or Watermelon Sticks for a complete and nutritious meal.
Homemade Chicken Nuggets – Baked
No air fryer? Simply bake in the oven.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Bake for 8 minutes, flip, then bake an additional 7-8 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 165°F.
Cooking Tip: Chicken nuggets cooked in the oven will not brown as they would in the air fryer – but taste just as good!
More Air Fryer Ideas
- Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- Air Fryer Drumsticks
- Easy Air Fryer Taquitos
- Air Fryer Salmon Patties
- Air Fryer Ranch Chicken Thighs
Other Chicken Recipes
If you enjoyed these recipes make sure to leave a comment and a star rating below! Then follow me on social media and tag #createkidsclub if you make the recipe. I love seeing what you come up with!
Kids Cooking Instructions:
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Air Fryer Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Equipment
- air fryer
- medium-sized mixing bowl
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- 2 shallow bowls
- cookie scoop or spoon
- nonstick cooking spray
- Flipper
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, divided
- 1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs, divided
- 2 large eggs, whisked
Instructions
- ⭐️ Blend the ingredients. In a medium-sized bowl, add the ground turkey, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 3 tablespoons of bread crumbs. Mix together using clean hands blending until well mixed.
- Prepare the egg and breadcrumb coating. Add the whisked eggs to one of the shallow bowls and the remaining bread crumbs to the other. Add 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the bread crumbs. Stir.
- ⭐️ Coat the nuggets. Using a cookie scoop or spoon scoop about 2 tablespoons of ground turkey mixture. Place the ball into the breadcrumb mixture then coat. Coat it in the egg wash then place it back into the breadcrumbs. Form coated nugget into a chicken nugget shape. Place onto air fryer tray. Repeat for all chicken nuggets. Makes 16 large nuggets or 20 smaller-sized nuggets.
- ⭐️ Preheat air fryer then bake. Preheat air fryer to 350°F. Spray chicken nuggets with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for 8 minutes. Using a flipper carefully flip nuggets, spray with nonstick cooking spray, then bake an additional 7-8 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 165°F. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Oven Instructions
No air fryer? Simply cook in the oven.- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Bake for 8 minutes, flip, then bake an additional 7-8 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 165°F.
Nutrition
Delicious Simple Family Recipes
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Bess says
My five year old asked for more!