Take a little help from the grocery store and make frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer that are perfectly golden and crispy!

Delicious and crispy air fryer frozen chicken nuggets are just minutes away for a simple, protein-packed dinner the whole family will love.

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If you want a dinner or lunch that’s guaranteed to be quick, easy, delicious, and loved by every member of your family, look no further than your freezer.

Air fryer frozen chicken nuggets are sure to satisfy!

I used to feel like it was cheating to use frozen foods like chicken, but then I became a mom.

Life got busy and I realized I was humble enough to accept some help every once and a while, even from the frozen foods section at the grocery store.

I’m still picky about what I choose because not all chicken nuggets are created equal. I’m also picky about how I cook frozen nuggets.

Just Bare chicken nuggets in the air fryer are my favorite brand and method.

Air frying is the best way, because the crispy chicken nuggets are ready in a fraction of the time it would take to bake them in the oven.

I get results that are similar to deep frying without using extra oil, plus the air fryer is fast, so hangry kids don’t even have a chance to overtake the house.

Of course, you can use your favorite brand to make air fryer frozen chicken nuggets.

Simply add your favorite dipping sauces and an easy side dish like Air Fryer Crispy Crowns or Air Fryer Crinkle French Fries, and dinner is served.

Or, you can use these chicken nuggets as the base for my favorite air fryer orange chicken.

The possibilities are endless!

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes:

• Air Fryer Frozen French Toast Sticks
• Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
• Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower
• Air Fryer Shake and Bake Chicken
• Air Fryer Frozen Cauliflower Wings
• Air Fryer Frozen Potsticker Dumplings

Perfect Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets

As I mentioned, we’re big fans of Just Bare chicken nuggets in the air fryer. I don’t have time to make homemade chicken nuggets, so I try to choose the next best thing.

These frozen nuggets from Costco are made with real chunks of white breast meat and the breading is just right.

With no preservatives and no artificial flavors, I know I am feeding my family something I can feel good about. And the lightly breaded pieces of chicken breasts disappear fast in our house!

Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.

To ensure that your nuggets come out perfectly every single time, follow these tips for best results:

• Go straight from the freezer to the air fryer. No thawing is needed.
• Lay the nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer tray. Cook in batches if needed.
• No extra oil or cooking spray is needed.
• Especially if any of the nuggets are touching, be sure to flip them or shake the basket halfway through the cooking time.
• Monitor closely, especially the first time you make them. Different brands of frozen chicken nuggets come in all shapes and sizes so the cooking times can vary. You want crispy nuggets, not burnt nuggets!
• Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

How to Make Frozen Chicken Nuggets in Air Fryer

It’s really easy to make Just Bare chicken nuggets in the air fryer.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• Frozen Chicken Breast Nuggets (such as Just Bare nuggets or other favorite variety)

How to Make It:

(Full printable recipe card is available below)

Place nuggets in air fryer. First, you’ll preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F. Then, add the frozen chicken nuggets to the air fryer basket, keeping them in a single layer.

Cook the nuggets. Next, you’ll cook for 8 minutes, or until golden-brown and lightly crispy.

Cool and serve. Last, you’ll remove the basket from the air fryer and let it cool for a couple of minutes before serving.

These make an easy dinner or a quick protein for your kids’ lunch! Grab your favorite dipping sauce and you’re set.

Having quick and easy air fryer recipes up your sleeve is a great way to skip takeout or the drive-through, saving money while still feeding your family a meal nobody will complain about! 🙂

Notes and Adaptations:

• Feel free to make more or less nuggets, depending on how many you need. The cook time is the same.
• Cook time could vary slightly depending on the size/thickness of nuggets used and your specific air fryer model. We use the Just Bare brand of frozen chicken breast nuggets, which we’ve found at Costco and Kroger.
• Leftover chicken nuggets can be refrigerated in an airtight container.