Cornflake Air-Fryer Chicken Nuggets

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These crispy air-fried chicken nuggets are a quick, kid-friendly dinner that parents will love too.

Adam Hickman

Updated on March 28, 2024

Reviewed by Dietitian

Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Tested by

EatingWell Test Kitchen

Prep Time:

10 mins

Cook Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

20 mins

Servings:

Yield:

2 servings

Nutrition Profile:

Nut-Free Healthy Pregnancy Healthy Aging Low-Fat Soy-Free High-Protein Egg-Free Low-Calorie

Jump to Nutrition Facts

How to Make Cornflake Air-Fryer Chicken Nuggets

These homemade nuggets are healthier than fast-food versions and more flavorful, thanks to the cornflake coating. Here are some tips on how to make them:

Set Up Your Breading Station

Breading is a three-part process that creates a crust on the chicken. You will need three shallow dishes: one for the cornstarch, confectioners' sugar and seasonings, one for the buttermilk and another one for the crushed cornflakes.

Bread the Chicken

Dredge the chicken in the cornstarch mixture. This step will help the buttermilk stick to the chicken. Then dip the chicken in the buttermilk, which will help the crushed cornflakes to stick. Finally, toss the chicken in the cornflakes to coat.

Air-Fry the Chicken

Coat the chicken with cooking spray, then air-fry at 400°F until golden brown and cooked through. Make sure the chicken is in a single layer in the air fryer. Overcrowding the air fryer basket will prevent the chicken from crisping up.

How Do I Make Air-Fryer Chicken Strips?

You can cut the chicken into strips instead of 1-inch chunks. Be sure to cook the chicken strips for 2 to 3 minutes longer, or until done.

Additional reporting by Jan Valdez

Ingredients

Cooking spray
¼ cup cornstarch
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ cup whole buttermilk
2 ounces cornflakes, finely crushed (1 1/2 cups)
8 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

Coat the basket of an air fryer with cooking spray.
Combine cornstarch, sugar, pepper and garlic powder in a shallow dish. Place buttermilk in a separate shallow dish and cornflakes in a third shallow dish. Sprinkle chicken with salt. Dredge the chicken in the cornstarch mixture, shaking off excess, then dip in the buttermilk, allowing the excess to drip off. Toss the chicken in the cornflakes to coat.
Coat the chicken with cooking spray; place it in the prepared basket. Cook at 400°F until golden brown and cooked through, 8 to 9 minutes, turning halfway through cooking time.

Equipment

Air fryer

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, January 2019; updated November 2022

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

319	Calories
4g	Fat
44g	Carbs
26g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 2
Serving Size 5 nuggets
Calories 319
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 44g	16%
Dietary Fiber 1g	4%
Total Sugars 8g
Added Sugars 4g	8%
Protein 26g	52%
Total Fat 4g	5%
Saturated Fat 1g	7%
Cholesterol 66mg	22%
Vitamin A 574IU	11%
Vitamin C 6mg	7%
Folate 170mcg	43%
Sodium 535mg	23%
Calcium 50mg	4%
Iron 9mg	51%
Magnesium 37mg	9%
Potassium 287mg	6%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.