Air Fryer Copycat McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets

Air Fryer Copycat McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets — Did you know that one of the most popular items on McDonald’s menu is their chicken nuggets? A lot of people love them and it seems like a staple for kids. But have you ever tried to make your own at home? Well, with this blog post I’m going to share a recipe that will show how easy they are to make in your air fryer. It’s a copycat recipe from McDonald’s so if you’re craving some nostalgia then these Air Fryer Copycat Chicken McNuggets are just what you need!

Air Fryer Copycat McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets are amazing! Light breading surrounding a tender and juicy chicken tender. If you love McDonald’s chicken tenders as much as my kids, this will be the recipe for you. And better yet, it’s easy and delicious!

Fast food has never been as easy to copy, then with your air fryer. Same great taste, but you are substituting the deep fryer for your air fryer. Saving you loads of calories and fat.

Healthy and delicious, you will never feel so good as making your kids a homemade chicken tender! These started with ground chicken, but you can easily use diced chicken if you prefer.

Looking for some other great and easy Air Fryer Copycat Recipes? Some of my favorites are AIR FRYER COPYCAT KRISPY KREME DONUTS, AIR FRYER COPYCAT KFC SPICY CHICKEN SANDWICH, AIR FRYER COPYCAT DOUBLETREE COOKIES, and AIR FRYER COPYCAT HOSTESS CUPCAKES.

McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets

Typically for this recipe, you would start with whole chicken breasts, and they grind the chicken before making. I saved a step and used ground chicken since the air fryer is all about making my food easy and delicious.

But if you want, you can easily ground your own boneless chicken breast. The result will be about the same.

McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets are light and airy. They are really called Chicken McNuggets by the fast-food chain. McDonald’s introduced them in 1983, and they are usually sold in 4, 6, 10, 20, and 50 packs.

Ingredients Needed To Make Air Fryer Copycat McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets

• Ground Chicken
• Salt
• Eggs
• Cornstarch
• Water
• Onion Powder
• Garlic Powder
• Yellow Mustard
• Black Pepper
• All-Purpose Flour

How To Make Air Fryer Copycat McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets

In a medium-sized bowl mix the ground chicken, salt and 2 eggs, mix well.

Add the cornstarch to a small mixing bowl. Using your hands, form a chicken nugget (about 2 tablespoons per nugget) and then coat in cornstarch—place on a baking tray as you coat the nuggets.

Freeze for about 30 minutes, or until frozen solid.

In another bowl, add the water, 1 egg, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, ground pepper, and flour. Mix well.

Dip your nugget into the batter. Coating both sides. As you coat them, place them on a prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze again for about 30 minutes until frozen solid.

Add a piece of parchment to the air fryer, then add the frozen chicken nuggets, air fry at 370 degrees F, air fryer setting for 7 to 12 minutes.

To get them to really crisp up, spry them with cooking spray.

SOME COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED ABOUT AIR FRYER CHICKEN TENDERS:

HOW DO YOU STORE LEFTOVERS?

If you have any leftovers, let them cool to room temperature and then place them in an airtight container. Place the container into the refrigerator. It will last about 2 to 3 days. 

TO REHEAT LEFTOVER CHICKEN TENDERS

Place in the air fryer and set that temperature to 330 degrees F for about 3-4 minutes per side.

CAN YOU FREEZE HOMEMADE CHICKEN TENDERS?

Yes, these make a great recipe to freeze. Like you can buy frozen chicken tenders, you can make a batch of these and freeze them.

Follow the instructions in the recipe card below, and then let them cool to room temperature, then place on a greased baking sheet and pop the pan into the freezer. When they are frozen solid, transfer the frozen tenders to a Ziploc bag or an airtight container, and freeze. They will last about 1 to 2 months. 

To cook from frozen: Place in the air fryer for 10-15 minutes at 390 degrees F, flipping halfway.

CAN YOU PUT RAW CHICKEN IN AN AIR FRYER?

Yes, and it’s really easy!

Just place your raw chicken into the air fryer basket. Set to temperature to 350°F; and cook 15 minutes, flip the chicken halfway, 

Then use your meat thermometer and check to see if the center of the thickest part is cut (at least 165°F). When the thickest part of your chicken reaches 165 degrees F, remove the chicken until it’s fully cooked.

HOW DO YOU MAKE TYSON CRISPY CHICKEN STRIPS IN AN AIR FRYER?

Place the frozen Tyson Crispy Chicken Strips into the air fryer, then set the temperature to 390 degrees F, air fryer setting, for 10-12 minutes.

About halfway through the cooking process, flip the chicken with a pair of tongs, remove when heated through.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH AIR FRYER CHICKEN TENDERS

You can serve anything you want. If it’s a kid-friendly meal, I usually serve them up with either Air Fryer French Fries or a plate of Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes. 

But here are some other quick air fryer options:

• AIR FRYER CARROT FRENCH FRIES
• AIR FRYER SPICY FRENCH FRIES
• EASY AIR FRYER BROCCOLI
• AIR FRYER SPAM FRENCH FRIES
• AIR FRYER AVOCADO FRENCH FRIES

SOME GREAT SAUCES FOR THE CHICKEN TENDERS:

CHICK-FIL-A SAUCE COPYCAT

ZAXBY’S CHICKEN FINGERS DIPPING-ZAX SAUCE

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