Air Fryer Keto Chicken Nuggets
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Simple and beyond easy, these Air Fryer Keto Chicken Nuggets are quick to prep and only require 3 simple ingredients!
You’ll love pairing these crispy air fried nuggets with your favorite dipping sauces for a fun snack or quick weeknight meal that’s always a family favorite.
Why you’ll love this air fryer keto chicken nuggets recipe
Next time you get hit with a fast food craving, don’t be afraid to remind yourself: “We have food at home.”
These 3 ingredient keto chicken nuggets are sure to satisfy any craving, and they’re much better for you than fast food chicken nuggets!
With a cheesy flavor and an exterior that gets perfectly crispy in the air fryer, low carb homemade chicken nuggets are impossible to resist.
They rival my favorite Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich when it comes to fast food copycat recipes!
Pair them with a fresh batch of Garlic Parmesan French Fries and my chick-fil-a sauce recipe (my favorite dipping sauce) for the ultimate fast food adjacent meal. Add some BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or ketchup to really pull it all together!
Ingredients you will need for low carb chicken nuggets
Chicken Breast: you could also use ground chicken, but I’ve found that mincing chicken breast results in a better texture.
Mozzarella Cheese: this is the secret to crispy nuggets that are low in carbs. Cheese will get crispy in the air fryer, which means you won’t need a classic “breading” for your nuggets.
You could also use cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, or another variety for a different flavor.
Egg: acts as a binder to keep everything together.
If you like, you can also use pork rinds in addition to the cheese or instead of cheese.
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe With No Breading
- Mince chicken breasts. The best way to do this is to cut into strips, then cubes, and then mince the chicken pieces. You could also use a food processor (be sure to wash it well afterward).
- Prepare the nuggets. Whisk the egg in a mixing bowl. Add the minced chicken and mozzarella cheese, then mix well.
- Form the nuggets. Using an ice cream scoop or cookie scoop, form about 12 nuggets. You could also use a tablespoon measure.
- Air fry the nuggets. Cook the chicken nuggets in the air fryer for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking. Check for an internal temperature of 165 F if you’re unsure that your nuggets are fully cooked. Serve with your favorite sauces and enjoy!
How long to cook chicken nuggets in the air fryer
With this easy keto recipe, chicken nuggets are ready in 15 minutes of cooking time or less in the air fryer!
It may depend on the size and power of your appliance, so experiment with different cooking times. They might be ready in as little as 10-12 minutes if you’ve got a powerful fryer.
For best results, allow your keto friendly chicken nuggets a little bit of space in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can prevent them from forming those golden brown, crispy edges!
How to cook frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer
Forming these nuggets ahead of time and storing them in the freezer is a great way to meal prep.
You can air fry them directly from frozen for a super quick and easy meal. Be sure to add about 5 minutes or so to account for the temperature difference.
Can you eat chicken nuggets on a keto diet?
Using mozzarella cheese instead of bread crumbs means these 3 ingredient keto chicken nuggets are low in carbs and keto friendly, but still crispy and satisfying like traditional chicken nuggets.
How to store keto air fryer chicken nuggets
Keep your leftover nuggets in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can also keep them in a freezer bag and store in the freezer for several months.
Make sure you allow the nuggets to cool before storing them to prevent excess moisture.
How to reheat chicken nuggets
I recommend reheating nuggets in the air fryer at 350F for about 3-5 minutes on either side.
You can also heat them on a baking sheet in the oven. Cook at 350 F until properly heated through. If you’re reheating from frozen, add a few minutes.
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Air Fryer Keto Chicken Nuggets
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Finely mince the chicken breasts by slicing them into strips, then cubes, and then chopping until they are finely minced. You can use ground chicken, but I find the texture is best when using chicken breasts.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 F.
- Beat the egg with a whisk in a medium size bowl. Then add the chicken and shredded mozzarella to the bowl and mix until well combined.
- Form rounded nuggets with the mixture using an ice cream scoop. I used a 2 inch wide scoop. Place the nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry the chicken nuggets for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.
My toddler LOVES these chicken nuggets and I love how easy they are to make. They taste way better than the store bought or fast food kind. So glad I tried this recipe. 🙂
Our daughter loves nuggets and she loved these from the air fryer. Thank you for any awesome non processed recipe option for us!
Your air fryer keto chicken nuggets recipe was a hit in my kitchen. The instructions were straightforward, making the cooking process a breeze. I appreciated the focus on health without compromising on flavor, and it’s great to have a guilt-free snack that still satisfies my cravings. Thanks for sharing this delightful recipe.
These homemade chicken nuggets are better than anything you can get from the store. They are fairly easy to make, and I love that they are made in the air fryer.
I made these nuggets for lunch yesterday and they were delicious! So easy in the air fryer!