Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets
Temperature
400°F
200°C
Time
10 min
12-15 nuggets
Safe internal
165°F
74°C · piping hot
Prep
None
Cook
10 min
Total
10 min
Nuggets are about as easy as it gets and ready in roughly ten minutes. They come out crunchier than from the oven, with no preheating to wait around for.
Ingredients
Quantities for 12-15 nuggets - the times on this page assume that much in the basket.
- 12-15 frozen chicken nuggets, straight from the freezer
How to air fry frozen chicken nuggets
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Add the frozen chicken nuggets to the basket. A slight pile is okay if you shake often.
- Cook for about 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Check it has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.
Pro tip
Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even browning.
How to tell when it's done
They're ready when golden and crisp and piping hot in the middle (165°F / 74°C). A quick shake of the basket halfway stops them sticking together.
Safe internal temperature
Cook to 165°F (74°C) at the thickest point. An instant-read thermometer is the only reliable way to confirm it.
Converting from an oven recipe
If your recipe is written for a conventional oven, lower the temperature by about 25°F (15°C) and reduce the time by roughly 20% to land near 400°F for 10 minutes. Need a different starting point? Use the conversion calculator.
Air fryer frozen chicken nuggets: FAQ
How long does it take to air fry frozen chicken nuggets?
Air fry frozen chicken nuggets at 400°F (200°C) for about 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. That's for 12-15 nuggets in a single layer; adjust slightly for a fuller basket or a different model.
What temperature do you air fry frozen chicken nuggets at?
Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). If you're converting an oven recipe, that's roughly 25°F (15°C) below the oven temperature, with the time cut by about 20%.
Can you cook chicken nuggets from frozen in an air fryer?
Yes - there's no need to thaw. Cook straight from frozen at 400°F (200°C) for about 10 minutes, and confirm the center reaches 165°F (74°C) before serving.
What's the safe internal temperature for chicken nuggets?
Cook chicken nuggets to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), measured at the thickest point with an instant-read thermometer. Cooking time is a guide; internal temperature is what confirms it's safely done.