Keto Chicken Nuggets

All you need are a few strategic ingredients and an air fryer to make a crispy and delicious keto chicken nuggets recipe. Just as with non-keto homemade chicken nuggets, the flavor can be customized to your palate by adding your favorite seasonings.

The nuggets taste great on their own or paired with a dipping sauce like keto-friendly ketchup or barbecue sauce. Need a side to go with your keto chicken nuggets? Choose an easy keto recipe like smoky cauliflower bites or roasted Parmesan carrots.

Ingredients for Keto Chicken Nuggets

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• Eggs: Beaten eggs will help the keto coating stick to the chicken nugget pieces.
• Almond flour: Made from finely ground almonds, this flour makes a great keto-friendly breading.
• Parmesan cheese: Make sure the Parmesan is finely grated instead of shredded so it combines well with the almond flour and adheres to the chicken.
• Seasonings: We use a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika. Feel free to get creative with the seasoning and make the keto chicken nuggets recipe your own.
• Chicken tenders: When you purchase chicken tenders, they are already trimmed to a convenient size. Then, all you have to do is cut them into three or four pieces each and you have the perfect size for keto chicken nuggets in the air fryer.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the coating

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place the beaten eggs in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, combine the almond flour, Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika.

Step 2: Dredge the nuggets

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Dip the chicken, one piece at a time, into the beaten eggs, then dredge in the breading mixture, pressing lightly to adhere. Make sure each nugget is completely coated on all sides. Shake away any excess breading from the chicken. Place the coated nuggets on a baking sheet until ready to cook.

Step 3: Air-fry the nuggets

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Coat the air-fryer’s basket with cooking spray. Place the breaded nuggets in the air-fryer basket 1/2-inch apart. Depending on the size and shape of your air fryer, it might be necessary to cook in batches.

Spray the tops of the nuggets with cooking spray. Air-fry the nuggets for four minutes, then carefully flip each nugget and spray the other side with cooking spray. Air-fry the nuggets until the breading is crispy and the chicken is cooked through to 165°, an additional four minutes.

Editor’s Tip: Cooking times can vary depending on the thickness of each nugget and your particular appliance (even among the best air fryers).

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Recipe Variations

• Switch up the spices: Throw in dried herbs like oregano, sage, thyme or an Italian seasoning blend for more depth of flavor. Want spicier keto chicken nuggets? Throw in a big pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Bake them in the oven: No air fryer in your kitchen? No problem! You can easily bake this keto chicken nuggets recipe in the oven instead. Set your oven to 425° and place the chicken nuggets on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, flip the nuggets, then bake until a thermometer inserted in the center reads 165°, about 10 more minutes.

How to Store Keto Chicken Nuggets

Once they’ve cooled to room temperature, leftover nuggets should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. They can be reheated in the microwave or the air fryer.

Can you freeze keto chicken nuggets?

Absolutely! Once the fully cooked chicken nuggets have cooled to room temperature, place them in a resealable bag or airtight container. You can store them in the freezer for up to two months. Reheat the nuggets from frozen in a 400° air fryer until heated through, about four minutes on each side.

Keto Chicken Nugget Tips

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What sauces should I serve with keto chicken nuggets?

Chicken nuggets are wonderful when served with a variety of dipping sauces. Mustard, hot sauce and homemade mayonnaise are all keto-friendly sauces, or you can search for bottled keto versions of ketchup and barbecue sauce.

Can you use other cuts of chicken when making keto chicken nuggets in the air fryer?

While using chicken tenders is convenient, you can also make keto chicken nuggets from boneless, skinless chicken breasts as well. First, cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch strips, then slice each strip into three or four pieces to create bite-sized nuggets. You could also cut nugget shapes from boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer.

How can you make sure your keto chicken nuggets are juicy?

The best way to ensure tender and juicy nuggets is not to overcook the chicken. Since these pieces are small, they brown and cook through quite quickly in the air fryer, about four minutes on each side. Just make sure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°.