CRISPY Air Fryer Turkey Nuggets [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

written by Ashley Fehr

5 from 8 votes

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 28 minutes mins

Servings 6 servings

Jump to Recipe

Last updated on March 1, 2024

These Air Fryer Turkey Nuggets are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside! They are the perfect easy dinner or snack, and you can pair them with one of two different dipping sauces! See the step by step video down in the recipe card.

CRISPY Air Fryer Turkey Nuggets [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (2)

If there’s any meal that brings everyone to the table in record speed, it’s these crispy little turkey nuggets!

There’s so much to love about them:

  • They are perfectly seasoned: savory, a bit salty, and a hint of spice.
  • A boneless turkey breast filet makes these a cinch to whip up, and we love our turkey around here!
  • They are a healthier option than those store-bought frozen nuggets, and the kids love them just as much (or more!)
  • There are lots of different ways to make them your own — I’ve included a list down below.

These Air Fryer Turkey Nuggets cook quickly, so they are perfect for a weeknight meal when you need an easy win with the kids (or the husband, or the girlfriend, or your mom…. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love these!).

CRISPY Air Fryer Turkey Nuggets [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (3)

We love our sauces and dips in this family, so I’ve included two recipes for dipping sauce options: a sweet and sour sauce (my personal favorite, and my 8 year old I’m sure would drink this from a cup!), and a honey mustard dipping sauce, which goes well with so many things.

Feel free to serve with whatever you’ve got on hand that your family loves!

The Chefman Air Fryer:

I’ve partnered with Chefman and Turkey Farmers of Canada to bring you this easy Turkey Nuggets recipe, made irresistibly crispy in the Chefman Air Fryer.

CRISPY Air Fryer Turkey Nuggets [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (4)

I love how it makes these homemade nuggets a quick and foolproof weeknight meal, and it leaves no temptation for buying store-bought nuggets ever again!

It’s true that you could make turkey nuggets in the oven, but they are nothing like air fryer turkey nuggets!

CRISPY Air Fryer Turkey Nuggets [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (5)

These little bites are so incredibly juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside, and they don’t dry out in the air fryer like they would in the oven.

Variations on these air fryer Turkey Nuggets:

  • You can easily bump up the spice in these nuggets by adding a pinch of cayenne to the breading, or add a big squeeze of hot sauce or sriracha to the eggs before coating.
  • Add an Italian spin and serve with marinara sauce for dipping. For the coating, add ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
  • Swap out the Panko bread crumbs for crushed Cheez-Its or another favorite cracker or chip for a fun flavor twist

What to serve with these Turkey Nuggets:

These air fryer Turkey Nuggets make a great simple meal, snack or appetizer on a large plate with a few different dipping options (included below!). Add a few fresh veggie slices for a quick, healthy lunch!

These nuggets also go well with these simple Roasted Potatoes and a big bowl of our favorite Broccoli Salad.

And of course, I’ll never say no to a big bowl of mashed potatoes topped with crispy chicken bites à la KFC. 😉

CRISPY Air Fryer Turkey Nuggets [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (6)

What to do with leftover Turkey Nuggets:

Got leftovers? No problem!

Although leftover nuggets (and other breaded things) don’t reheat well in the microwave, there are ways to make them taste just as good as they did fresh!

Stovetop:

Preheat a large pan over medium heat and coat lightly with non-stick spray (this helps to crisp the nuggets back up).

Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until warmed through and crispy on both sides.

CRISPY Air Fryer Turkey Nuggets [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (7)

Oven:

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and lightly grease a baking sheet with non-stick spray (you can use parchment, too, but I find they get crispiest right on the baking sheet).

Place the leftover nuggets on the pan and cook for 6-10 minutes, until hot.

*This post is generously sponsored by Chefman and Turkey Farmers of Canada and I was compensated for my time in creating this recipe. Thank you for supporting the brands that make The Recipe Rebel possible!

CRISPY Air Fryer Turkey Nuggets [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (8)

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Air Fryer Turkey Nuggets

written by Ashley Fehr

5 from 8 votes

These Air Fryer Turkey Nuggets are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside! The perfect easy dinner or snack, pair them with one of two different dipping sauces!

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 minutes mins

Total Time 28 minutes mins

Cuisine American

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Servings 6 servings

Calories 433cal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb turkey breast filet (boneless, skinless)

Dredging Mixture

  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon onion powder

Egg Mixture

  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk (or substitute any milk)

Coating

  • 3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs (fine)
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

  • 1/4 cup dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup honey (clear)
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • salt and pepper to taste

Sweet and Sour Sauce

  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1.5 tablespoons corn starch
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (low sodium)

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Preheat Chefman Air Fryer to 400 degrees F for 10 minutes.

  • Meanwhile, cut turkey breast into "nuggets", roughly half inch thick and 1.5-2 inches long. (I usually get about 25-30 nuggets per turkey breast filet)

Dredging

  • Combine flour, paprika, salt, garlic powder, pepper and onion powder in a large zip top bag.

  • Add raw turkey nuggets. Seal the bag and turn and toss until all are coated.

Coating the nuggets

  • Gather two medium but shallow dishes.

  • In one dish, whisk together egg and milk.

  • In the other dish, stir together bread crumbs, flour, salt and pepper.

  • Working one by one, remove turkey nuggets from bag and dip each in egg mixture, then coat in bread crumb mixture. Place on a large plate until all are coated and ready to cook.

  • Place 8-10 nuggets on rack in Air Fryer and spray with non-stick or oil spray. Set the timer for 8 minutes at 400 degrees F. Flip nuggets at the 4 minute mark and spray the other side with non stick spray before continuing to cook.

  • Turkey Nuggets are done when a meat thermometer reaches and internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

  • Whisk together mustard, honey, mayonnaise, and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

Sweet and Sour Sauce:

  • Whisk together sugar, vinegar, ketchup, corn starch and soy sauce in a medium skillet.

  • Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 433cal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 978mg | Potassium: 123mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 40g | Vitamin A: 259IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 3mg

Keywords air fryer turkey, turkey nuggets

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CRISPY Air Fryer Turkey Nuggets [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

FAQs

How to make Crispier air fryer? ›

However, a small amount of oil is usually necessary to achieve a crispy texture. A drizzle or a quick oil spray is all you need for restaurant-quality fries and golden brown fried chicken, while other foods don't need any oil, like pizza or leftovers you might reheat.

How to air fry Janes chicken nuggets? ›

Instructions
  1. Preheat air fryer to 360°F.
  2. Place the frozen chicken strips or nuggets in the air fryer basket and spread them out in a single layer. No oil spray is needed.
  3. For chicken tenders, cook 10-12 minutes. For chicken nuggets, cook time will be more like 7-8 minutes.
May 1, 2022

Why doesn't my air fryer make my food crispy? ›

Why is my food not crispy in an air fryer? If your food is not crispy when coming out of an air fryer, you may not have patted it dry before putting it in to cook. Meat or proteins, or foods you may have washed, will fry better without the added moisture.

Does baking powder help crisp in air fryer? ›

These Air Fryer Chicken Wings only take a few minutes to make, but require one KEY ingredient – baking powder! The baking powder reacts with the chicken skin by raising its pH level to create beautiful golden brown and crispy skin. I hope you enjoy this recipe!

How many minutes do you air fry chicken nuggets? ›

Heat the air-fryer to 200C, then cook the chicken nuggets in a single layer (you may need to do this in batches) for 10-12 mins until cooked through and golden brown. Serve with ketchup, if you like.

What is the best temperature to air fry nuggets? ›

Making chicken nuggets in the air fryer is about as easy as it gets! Simply add the nuggets in a single layer into the air fryer basket and cook at 400ºF for 9-12 minutes, flip or shake the basket once. Yep. That's it!

How to cook real good chicken nuggets in the air fryer? ›

Pro Tip: Air Frying Chicken Nuggets

Try our NEW low carb Chicken Strips or Nuggets in the air fryer instead of the microwave or oven. Air fry 10 Frozen Chicken Nuggets at 375 degrees F for 8-12 minutes, or 4-6 Frozen Chicken Strips for 8-12 minutes at 375 degrees F, or until the internal temperature hits 165*.

Why are my fries not crispy in the air fryer? ›

It's essential that you spread the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket and that you leave a little space between each one. If they're too crowded, the potatoes will steam inside the air fryer, and they won't get crispy. In order to give them adequate space, you'll likely need to work in batches.

How do I get good crackling in my air fryer? ›

Preheat the air fryer to 160°C then place the pork belly in the air fryer & cook for 30 minutes. Next, increase the temperature up to 200°C & air fry for an additional 10 minutes or until the crackling is crisp. Leave to rest for 10 minutes in a warm place before carving.

Does Airfryer make it crispy? ›

The taste and texture of air fried food is comparable to the results of a deep fryer: Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. However, you only need to use a tiny amount of oil, if any at all (depending on what you're cooking).

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