My Guide on How to Air Fry Frozen Chicken Nuggets . These crispy chicken nuggets are cooked within minutes in an air-fryer! Whether you like them crispy or soft, air-fried chicken nuggets are a winner for people of all ages.
Easy Meal Idea - Perfect for gatherings or a quick meal! Dino nuggets in particular are delicious and can bring the kid out in an adult.
- Ingredients Needed
- Cooking Instructions
- Equipment Needed
- Dipping sauce for chicken nuggets
- Expert Tips
- Recipe FAQ
- Other Kid-Friendly Recipes
- Air Fryer Recipes
- đź“– Recipe
- đź’¬ Community
Ingredients Needed
- Frozen Chicken Nuggets
- Dipping Sauce of Choice
Cooking Instructions
Start by preheating the air fryer while you grab the frozen nuggets to air fry and lay them on the crisper pan or air fryer basket.
Place the basket in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Toss/flip once between the cooking process and cook until heated through (about 5 minutes)
Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce and a serving of fruit and/or vegetable.
Equipment Needed
- Air Fryer- I have a Large Breville Smart Oven.
- Tongs - to toss the chicken nuggets between cooking and removing them from the air fryer basket.
- Oven Mit - in case the air fryer basket is hot.
- Pot Holder - to place the air fryer basket on top of.
Dipping sauce for chicken nuggets
Growing up we ate nuggets with ketchup and BBQ sauce, which is great for kids! But if you love spice then try these…
- Nando’s XX spicy sauce - Purchase at Indian grocery stores or Target.
- Restaurant Style Homemade Buttermilk Ranch
- Trader Joe’s Habanero Sauce - super spicy and great when mixed with a milder sauce.
- Buffalo Wild Wings! Mango Habanero Sauce Caribbean Jerk Sauce Wild Sauce Blazin (it is packed with heat)
What brand of chicken nuggets is the best?
This is a matter of opinion and based on dietary restrictions but here are a few of my favorites and why…
- Dinosaur Nuggets - My kids love these because they pack some fun into mealtime. They can be bought by the bulk at Costco.
- Gluten Free and Organic- These healthier option frozen chicken nuggets by Earth’s Best Brand are almost always found in our freezer that we purchase at Whole Foods . They cook juicy in under 5 minutes and taste delicious.
- Family Favorite Frozen Chicken Nuggets - Tyson Frozen Chicken Nuggets ! One would assume I am biased about this option being an Arkansas native, but they never fail to impress me with taste and Air Fry Tyson Frozen Chicken Nuggets taste better and better with every bite. Find them at Sam’s Club (another Arkansas company) by the bulk!
Expert Tips
- Cook them right before serving so they are warm when enjoyed.
- Extra crispy is how I like them!
- Dip them in chili oil with some lemon juice for an Asian-inspired chicken nugget.
Depending on your family size, budget preference, and quantity of food to cook this can vary. I have a large Breville Smart Oven which is perfect for a family of 4.
It is not recommended to use parchment paper in an air fryer.
Spray the food with oil before and during the cooking process. Adding oil throughout the cooking phase will help keep moisture in and not dry out the outside of foods.
Yes, you can air fry chicken nuggets that are still frozen. There is no need to defrost frozen nuggets. Just place the frozen chicken into the air fryer basket after preheating the air fryer.
Yes! There is no need to defrost. Take the frozen chicken nuggets and place them straight in a preheated air fryer.
Yes! Reheat cold McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets in the air fryer by preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees. Take the refrigerated chicken nuggets out of the fridge and air fry them for 3 minutes. That quick and easy!
Other Kid-Friendly Recipes
- Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme Recipe (copycat)
- Pasta with Broccoli and Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- The Best Spaghetti and Meatball Marinara Recipe
- Thanksgiving Day Menu
Air Fryer Recipes
- Crispy Okra Fries with an Easy Garlic Dipping Sauce
- Grilled Cilantro Chicken Wings
- Holiday Chicken Kebab Recipe
- Masala Hot Dogs Stuffed with Spicy Chutney
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đź“– Recipe
How to Air Fry Frozen Chicken Nuggets
Equipment
- â–˘ Air Fryer
- â–˘ Heat Resistant Mitten
Ingredients1x2x3x
- â–˘ 152 oz chicken nuggets, (about 16 dinosaur nuggets)
- â–˘ spray oil (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Layer the air fryer basket tray with the chicken nuggets, assuring they are not overlapping.
- Place the basket in the air fryer and cook for 5-7 minutes. Toss/flip them half way through and spray with oil (optional).
- Serve with a tasty dipping sauce.
How to Air Fry Frozen Chicken Nuggets
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Heat Resistant Mitten
Ingredients
- 152 oz chicken nuggets, (about 16 dinosaur nuggets)
- spray oil (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Layer the air fryer basket tray with the chicken nuggets, assuring they are not overlapping.
- Place the basket in the air fryer and cook for 5-7 minutes. Toss/flip them half way through and spray with oil (optional).
- Serve with a tasty dipping sauce.
Recipe Courtesy of The Curry Mommy
Khatta Poodla (also known as cheela, puda, pura, or pudla) is a savory rice flour pancake recipe!
This is my grandma’s recipe for Khatta Poodla, which is a rice flour pancake, that is deliciously chewy and savory! They are thin and crispy, but sour and spicy to taste. It is a family-friendly Gujarati recipe that is very easy to make and perfect for breakfast or a snack.
The name Khatta (sour) Poodla (thin pancakes) says it all. However, the name Poodla can sometimes be called puda, pudla, or pura depending on the dialect spoken and what part of India the person comes from. They all mean the same thing and taste amazing!
My Grandma’s Recipe
Pair the naturally gluten-free and vegetarian recipe with a cup of hot chai or milk coffee !
Ingredients
- rice flour
- yogurt
- turmeric
- asafaetido (important ingredient for Indian cooking)
- spicy green chili peppers (thai or serrano)
- ginger
- fenugreek seeds
- salt
- oil
- baking powder
- water
How to Make Them
First step is to ferment the batter for at least 12 hours. I prefer to make the batter at night, just like my grandma did. Then, I make the poodla in the morning or afternoon. Otherwise, the batter is placed in the fridge for no longer than 24 hours.
- Combine the ingredients and ferment the batter overnight.
- Fermenting (Pick one) yogurt mode in the Instant Pot for 12 hours cover and place the batter in a warm spot for 12 hours tightly cover and place the batter in the oven with the light on for 12 hours Stir and mix the batter
- Heat a non-stick pan on medium-high heat.
- Once the pan is hot, spray with a little bit of oil.
- Pour the fermented rice batter into the pan and let it cook for about 2-3 minutes
- Flip over, use the spatula to press the poodla down into a thinner form. This will give it a more even crisp.
- Cook until desired crispiness has been reached.
- Enjoy the poodla with your favorite toppings or dips!
What kind of pan is needed?
I highly recommend using a nonstick pan. With trial and error over the years, nothing else works. Even the biggest and “bestest” and newest pans out there in today’s time. I assure you, a regular nonstick pan is the way to go for this recipe. With that said, if you must, then a cast iron pan can be used as an alternative.
What to eat with them?
I love to eat Khatta Poodla with ghee and guar (jaggery). Punjabi jaggery is actually my favorite because it is dark in color and harder with texture. The texture pairs well with the hot and chewy poodla. My husband likes to eat it with lemon juice and sugar. Whatever you desire, I am sure it won’t be a bad choice!
Toppings eaten with poodla
Fermenting the Rice Flour Batter
I use an Instant Pot for ease and accuracy to ferment my Rice Poodla batter. A full 12 hours in the Instant Pot gets my tastebuds the perfect sour and spicy pancake taste. It works well regardless of the weather outside. However, if you do not have an Instant Pot then you can ferment the batter in a warm area of your home. Still not working for you? Place the batter in an oven with the light on for 12 hours (classic Indian migrant technique).
Spice Friendly Alternative
When making this poodla recipe for those who do not eat spice, simply eliminate the chili peppers and reduce the amount of ginger. It can be a savory rice pancake recipe for kids or adults who want a new vegetarian and gluten free breakfast to make on repeat.
Allergen friendly options
Overall, this Khatta Poodla recipe is naturally gluten free, vegetarian, soy free, and healthy for even the tiniest humans. It is perfect for kids, if you want to offer fermented foods and introduce spices such as turmeric, ginger, and asafaetido to their diet. Pair the rice flour pancakes recipe with a cup of cold milk or orange juice.
Love Gujarati food? Try these…
- Surati Khaman Dhokla Recipe
- Bharela Marcha - Stuffed Bullet Chillies
- Gujarati Kichdi an Everyday Comfort Food
Common Questions
If you are on a gluten free diet then this is a great option!
Assuming the cast iron pan has been cured, you can use it for poodla.
For this recipe, I don’t recommend it.
I do not recommend storing it for more than 24 hours after fermenting.
For this recipe to get a “sour” taste, yes it is needed. I have attempted to achieve the taste with lemon juice but it does not have the same end result.
A regular non-toxic (made after 2012) works great!
đź“– Recipe
Grandma’s Khatta Poodla - A Gujarati Recipe
Equipment
- â–˘ Non-stick Pan
- â–˘ Flat Spatula to Flip
- â–˘ Instant Pot or Large Bowl/Pot with a Lid (pick one)
- â–˘ Chutney Machine/Grinder
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 ½ cup rice flour
- â–˘ â…› teaspoon asafaetido (hing)
- â–˘ â…› teaspoon turmeric powder
- ▢ ½ cup plain yogurt
- â–˘ 1 tablespoon ginger
- ▢ 1½ cup warm water
- â–˘ 1 teaspoon salt (I use Morton’s iodized)
- â–˘ pinch baking powder
- â–˘ 1 serrano chili
- â–˘ 6-8 fenugreek seeds
- â–˘ 2 tablespoon urud flour (optional)
Instructions
INSTANT POT FERMENTING
- In a chutney machine, pulse the dry fenugreek seeds until they are blended.
- Add ginger and serrano chili pepper to the blender and pulse until smooth.
- Empty the contents into the Instant Pot.
- Add rice flour, turmeric powder, asafaetido, baking powder, and salt to the Instant Pot.
- Mix in the yogurt.
- Slowly pour in the warm water.
- Mix it well with a spatula or your hand.
- Turn Instant Pot to yogurt mode for 12 hours.
- Mix the batter after 12 hours of fermentation is over (if you are not making poodla immediately, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours)
- Heat a nonstick pan on medium high heat.
- Once it gets hot, spray the pan with a little bit of oil (helps crispen and brown the poodla)
- Slowly pour the room temperature poodla batter onto the pan assuring the batter is spread thinly.
- Cook for about 2-3 minutes.
- Flip and flatten the poodla with the back of the spatula.
- Cook for about 3 minutes.
- Flip back over again and cook until it reaches your desired crisp.
- Enjoy as is, with your favorite dip, or toppings!
