Last updated on April 22nd, 2024 at 11:36 pm
Just Bare brand chicken nuggets are all the rage on the internet right now so I couldn't wait to get my hands on these delicious nuggets to see if they lived up to the hype! Supposedly they rival our favorite fast food nugget but are healthier and you can make them at home in just a couple of minutes.
After buying them at our local warehouse store I can honestly say they are really GOOD! Not only do they make an easy lunch or a quick snack they eliminate the messy dredging and hand-breading of homemade chicken nuggets. Toss them onto your favorite salad like this Sticky Finger Salad or make them into a quick orange chicken rice bowl. The possibilities are endless.
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This was inspired by my other easy Air Fryer Recipes, Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks, Homemade Air Fryer Pizza Rolls, and, Air fried fish sticks.
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Ingredients
- Frozen chicken nuggets
- Favorite Dipping Sauce
Vortex Air Fryer Instructions
Select the air fry function if needed and set the temperature to 350°. Allow the air fryer to preheat for 2-3 minutes or until it indicates that is it preheated.
If indicated by your air fryer spray the basket with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent the food from sticking. The Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer does not require any non-stick cooking spray.
Place the frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Air fry chicken for 8-10 minutes shaking or turning halfway through the cooking cycle.
After 10 minutes check the nuggets to ensure they are crispy, golden, and cooked fully.
If needed add 1-2 more minutes for crispier results.
Air fryer cooking times may vary by size and brand so test your specific appliance and cook to an internal temperature of 165° and your personal preference of crispness.
Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces like honey mustard sauce or barbecue sauce or toss in buffalo sauce, sweet chili sauce, teriyaki sauce, Nashville hot sauce, or sticky finger sauce and serve boneless wing style.
Air Fry Range Instructions
In a full-size oven or larger air fryers, the cooking time and temperature may differ from the smaller countertop appliance due to the size of the appliance. When using the full-size oven you can air fry enough for the entire family all at once without the hassle of air frying in multiple batches.
Select the air fry function and set the temperature to 350° allow the range to preheat for about 5 minutes.
Place the chicken breast chunks on the air fry basket or air fry tray in a single layer. Air fry for 20 minutes turning or flipping halfway through the cook time.
Conventional Oven Directions
Preheat oven to 375° F and place the frozen chicken pieces in a single layer on a baking pan. Bake for 21-23 minutes or until crispy and golden and the internal temperature is 165° F.
Microwave Oven (1000W) Directions
Place frozen chicken pieces in a single layer on a microwave-safe dish. Microwave on high for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Remove from the microwave safely as the dish may be hot.
Recipes To Make With Chicken Nuggets
After air frying the chicken it can be used to make anything you would normally make with breaded and deep-fried chicken. This is a game changer when making a quick fake-out take-out weeknight dinner. Toss the crispy chicken in your favorite sauce and use it on a slider or serve with Instant Pot Jasmine Rice or your favorite side dish.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
- Homemade Air Fryer French Fries
- Air Fried Alexia Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fried Crispy Crowns
- Chickpea Pasta Salad
- Air Fried Broccoli
- Air Fried Cauliflower
Brands
My family's favorite brand of frozen chicken nuggets is Just Bare lightly breaded chicken chunks. They are almost identical to Chick-fil-A classic nuggets but made conveniently at home.
They are made with chicken breast and with no antibiotics ever, no added hormones or steroids, no artificial ingredients or preservatives, and 16g of protein per serving. These delicious chicken nuggets can be found at Costco currently, however, maybe someday in the future they will also be available at your local grocery store. Just Bare brand also offers a variety of chicken filets and chicken tenders on its website.
If you prefer Tyson chicken nuggets or other popular brands you may need to adjust the cooking temperature and time depending on the size of the chicken nuggets.
Equipment
Different brands and different sizes of air fryer models may alter your outcome. When air frying something for the first time watch it closely to avoid burning the food. I'm using the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6 qt Air Fryer on the air fryer setting, but any countertop air fryer appliance can be used to make crispy Just Bare nuggets. Please refer to your owner's manual for specific cooking times and directions if you are unsure. The Samsung full-size air fry range can also be used to air fry larger batches of food when you need to air fry large amounts of food for a large group.
Storage
Air Fryer frozen chicken nuggets are best enjoyed immediately after air frying, however, if you have leftovers store them in an airtight container for 1-2 days. For best results reheat them in the air fryer simply place them back in the air fryer and repeat the cooking process until they are crispy and warmed through (5-8 minutes).
Top tip
For best results don't overcrowd the chicken pieces in the air fryer. The best way to avoid soggy chicken nuggets is to leave enough space for the hot air to circulate around the food properly and crisp up the breading evenly.
Air Fryer Just Bare Chicken Nuggets
Equipment
Ingredients
- Just Bare Frozen Chicken Nuggets
Instructions
- Select the air fry function if needed and set the temperature to 350°.
- Allow the air fryer to preheat for 2-3 minutes or until it indicates that is it preheated.
- If indicated by your air fryer spray the basket with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent the food from sticking. The vortex max does not require any non-stick cooking spray.
- Place the frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry chicken for 8-10 minutes shaking or turning halfway through the cooking cycle.
- After 10 minutes check the nuggets to ensure they are crispy, golden, and cooked fully.
- If needed add 1-2 more minutes for crispier results.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
Nutrition
Just Bare Chicken Nuggets are already coated with a light breading, so additional oil is not necessary. However, you can lightly spray the nuggets with cooking spray for extra crispiness, if desired.
The chicken nuggets are ready when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the exterior is golden brown and crispy. You can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature if desired.
It's best to cook the chicken nuggets in a single layer to ensure even cooking and crispiness. If you overcrowd the basket, the nuggets may not cook evenly, and you won't achieve the desired crispiness.
Just Bare Chicken Nuggets pair well with a variety of dipping sauces, including ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, ranch dressing, or buffalo sauce. Choose your favorite or mix and match for a delicious dipping experience.
Just Bare Chicken Nuggets are not certified gluten-free, as they contain wheat flour in the breading. However, they do not contain any artificial ingredients, antibiotics, or added hormones, making them a wholesome choice for chicken nugget lovers.
Yes, you can reheat leftover chicken nuggets in the air fryer. Simply place them in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through. Be sure to check for doneness before serving.
Jess says
A healthy and delicious recipe
Gina Abernathy says
My daughter loves the air-fryer and this recipe is perfect for her. They are easy to make and delicious to eat.