Cornflake Air-Fryer Chicken Nuggets

These crispy air-fried chicken nuggets are absolutely delicious and will make both kids and adults super happy at dinner time! You’ll love how quick and easy they are to make, plus they’re way healthier than store-bought nuggets.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 10 minutes, Total Time: 20 minutes, Serves: 2 people.

Nutrition Profile: Nut-Free, Healthy Pregnancy, Healthy Aging, Low-Fat, Soy-Free, High-Protein, Egg-Free, Low-Calorie.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 319 Calories, 4g Fat, 44g Carbs, 26g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cooking spray: This keeps everything from sticking to your air fryer basket. Any brand works great!

Cornstarch: You’ll need ¼ cup of this magic powder that makes the coating extra crispy. It’s like the secret ingredient for perfect texture.

Confectioners’ sugar: Just 1 tablespoon adds a tiny hint of sweetness that balances the flavors perfectly. Don’t worry, it won’t make them dessert-sweet!

Ground pepper: ¼ teaspoon gives just the right amount of gentle spice. Use whatever black pepper you have on hand.

Garlic powder: ¼ teaspoon brings that yummy garlic flavor without any chopping. So convenient!

Whole buttermilk: ¼ cup helps the coating stick and adds tenderness to the chicken. If you don’t have buttermilk, regular milk works too.

Cornflakes: 2 ounces finely crushed (about 1½ cups) creates that amazing crunchy coating. Put them in a bag and crush them with a rolling pin – it’s actually pretty fun!

Boneless, skinless chicken breast: 8 ounces cut into 1-inch pieces. Try to make them all about the same size so they cook evenly.

How to Make Cornflake Air-Fryer Chicken Nuggets

Step 1: Spray your air fryer basket really well with cooking spray. Set up three shallow dishes for your coating station.

Step 2: Mix cornstarch, confectioners’ sugar, pepper, and garlic powder in the first dish. Pour buttermilk in the second dish. Put your crushed cornflakes in the third dish.

Step 3: Sprinkle the chicken pieces with salt. Now comes the fun part – the coating process!

Step 4: Take each chicken piece and roll it in the cornstarch mixture first. Shake off any extra powder.

Step 5: Dip the chicken in buttermilk next. Let the extra drip off for a second.

Step 6: Roll the chicken in crushed cornflakes last. Press gently so the coating sticks really well.

Step 7: Spray the coated chicken pieces with cooking spray. This helps them get golden and crispy.

Step 8: Place chicken in your air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd them – they need space to get crispy all around.

Step 9: Cook at 400°F for 8 to 9 minutes. Flip them halfway through so both sides get perfectly golden.

Easy and Quick Cornflake Chicken Nuggets Version

Want to make this even faster? You can skip the three-step coating process! Just mix 2 tablespoons of mayo with the chicken pieces, then roll directly in seasoned crushed cornflakes. The mayo helps everything stick and keeps the chicken super moist. Cook the same way at 400°F for 8-9 minutes, flipping once.

Serving Ideas

These nuggets make a complete meal that everyone will love! Serve them with creamy mashed potatoes and steamed green beans for a classic dinner. They’re also amazing with sweet potato fries and a fresh garden salad. Don’t forget the dipping sauces – honey mustard, ranch, or even ketchup are all perfect choices!

Storage

Store leftover nuggets in the fridge for up to 3 days in a covered container. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until warmed through and crispy again. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months – just add an extra minute or two to the reheating time.

Substitutions

No buttermilk? Mix ¼ cup regular milk with 1 teaspoon lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes. You can swap cornflakes for crushed rice cereal or even panko breadcrumbs. Ground chicken or turkey works great instead of chicken breast pieces. No confectioners’ sugar? Just leave it out – they’ll still be delicious!

Pro Tips

Perfect Crushing: Put cornflakes in a sealed bag and use a rolling pin. You want fine crumbs, not powder.

Even Cooking: Cut chicken pieces the same size. This way they all finish cooking at the same time.

Extra Crispy: Don’t skip the cooking spray on top of the coated chicken. It makes all the difference!

No Sticking: Make sure your air fryer basket is well-sprayed before adding chicken.

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?

Sure! You can coat the chicken pieces and keep them in the fridge for up to 4 hours before cooking. Just add an extra minute to the cooking time if they’re cold from the fridge.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You bet you can still make these! Bake them on a wire rack over a baking sheet at 425°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping once. They’ll still be crispy and delicious.

Can I double this recipe?

Absolutely! Just cook the nuggets in batches so they’re not crowded in the air fryer. Crowded nuggets won’t get as crispy.

Are these really healthier than regular nuggets?

Yes! These have way less oil than deep-fried nuggets, plus you know exactly what’s in them. No mystery ingredients or preservatives here!

Final Thoughts

I hope your family loves these crispy cornflake nuggets as much as mine does! They’re such a fun twist on regular chicken nuggets and so much better for you. Let me know in the comments how yours turned out – I love hearing about your cooking adventures!