These Homemade Air Fryer Dino Chicken Nuggets are a nostalgic recipe for children of any age. Made with ground chicken, they are juicy and flavorful on the inside and crispy on the outside. The air fryer makes the cooking process a little lighter while still delivering that satisfying crunch. Perfect for a homemade lunch or snack anytime.
You can also add finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers or carrots to the chicken mixture for added texture and nutrition. You can add the mixture to a food processor to hide and veggies for picky eaters.
Combine the ground chicken, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder in a large mixing bowl. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly combined and the mixture looks smooth. Then take the chicken and place it on a clean cutting board. Spread the chicken mixture out evenly until it is about 1-inch thick. Using your Dino cookie cutters, punch out as many shapes as you can and place them on a plate or baking sheet. Reform any leftover chicken and cut out more shapes until the remaining chicken is used.
In a shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and the Parmesan cheese. In a second bowl, whisk the eggs until they are an even consistency. Dip each Dino shape into the egg, covering completely. Then place each egg dipped Dino shape into the breadcrumb mixture and coat the nugget evenly. Gently press each shape to ensure the coating sticks.
Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the nuggets in the air fryer basket in a single layer and spray each nugget with cooking spray. Cook for 10-12 minutes, until the nuggets are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
Remove the chicken nuggets from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes.
Serve with your favorite dipping sauces, such as honey mustard or ketchup.
Homemade Air Fryer Dino Chicken Nuggets FAQS:
You will need the following ingredients:
ground chicken, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, cooking spray
You will need the following supplies:
an air fryer, shallow bowls, mixing bowl, Dino cookie cutters (3-inch)
Leftover nuggets can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to maintain their crispiness.
These Air Fryer Dino Chicken Nuggets are best served hot.
Notes:
- Add finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers or carrots to the chicken mixture for added texture and nutrition. You can add the mixture to a food processor to hide and veggies for picky eaters.
- You can make many batches of these nuggets and store them in the freezer for when you want to pull them out to use. Allow the nuggets to freeze on a baking sheet and then they can be transferred to a freezer bag for storage.
- You can experiment with the seasoning in the breadcrumbs as well as the chicken. Feel free to add fresh or dried herbs, like oregano, thyme and parsley.
- I used 3-inch cookie cutters for this recipe which yielded about 12 nuggets. You can use smaller or larger depending on what is available.
Air Fryer Dino Chicken Nuggets (Homemade)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 large eggs
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Combine the ground chicken, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder in a large mixing bowl. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly combined and the mixture looks smooth.
- Take the chicken and place it on a clean cutting board. Spread the chicken mixture out evenly until it is about 1-inch thick.
- Using your Dino cookie cutters, punch out as many shapes as you can and place them on a plate or baking sheet. Reform any leftover chicken and cut out more shapes until the remaining chicken is used.
- Place the Dino chicken shapes into the freezer for 15-20 minutes.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and the Parmesan cheese. In a second bowl, whisk the eggs until they are an even consistency.
- Dip each Dino shape into the egg, covering completely.
- Place each egg dipped Dino shape into the breadcrumb mixture and coat the nugget evenly. Gently press each shape to ensure the coating sticks.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the nuggets in the air fryer basket in a single layer and spray each nugget with cooking spray. Cook for 10-12 minutes, until the nuggets are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Remove the chicken nuggets from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces, such as honey mustard or ketchup.
Notes
- Add finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers or carrots to the chicken mixture for added texture and nutrition. You can add the mixture to a food processor to hide and veggies for picky eaters.
- You can make many batches of these nuggets and store them in the freezer for when you want to pull them out to use. Allow the nuggets to freeze on a baking sheet and then they can be transferred to a freezer bag for storage.
- You can experiment with the seasoning in the breadcrumbs as well as the chicken. Feel free to add fresh or dried herbs, like oregano, thyme and parsley.
- I used 3-inch cookie cutters for this recipe which yielded about 12 nuggets. You can use smaller or larger depending on what is available.
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