Description
These Air-Fryer Sweet Potato-Crusted Chicken Nuggets are a healthy and flavorful twist on classic chicken nuggets, coated with a crispy sweet potato crust and cooked to perfection in the air fryer. Perfect as a kid-friendly snack or a main course, they are easy to prepare and come out golden and crispy without deep frying.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into nugget-sized pieces
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and finely grated
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Binding and Cooking
- 2 large eggs
- Olive oil spray for air-frying
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Prepare Egg Wash: In a shallow bowl, whisk the two large eggs until smooth to create the binding wash for the chicken nuggets.
- Make Coating Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the finely grated sweet potato, panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the seasonings.
- Coat Chicken Pieces: Dip each piece of chicken breast into the egg wash, then coat it evenly with the sweet potato mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating adheres well to the chicken.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking and promote crisping of the coating.
- Arrange Nuggets: Place the coated chicken nuggets in a single layer inside the basket, making sure they are not overlapping. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Spray with Olive Oil: Lightly spray the tops of the chicken nuggets with olive oil to help achieve a golden and crispy crust during cooking.
- Air Fry the Nuggets: Cook the nuggets for 10–12 minutes at 375°F, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning and thorough cooking. Nuggets should be cooked through and have a crispy golden crust.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve the nuggets hot with your favorite dipping sauces for a delicious and healthy snack or meal.
Notes
- Ensure the sweet potato is grated very finely for a crispier coating.
- For extra crunch, lightly toast the panko breadcrumbs before mixing them with the other coating ingredients.
- These nuggets freeze well after cooking; reheat in the air fryer for 5–6 minutes to retain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
