Description
Crispy and flavorful Air-Fryer Sweet Potato-Crusted Chicken Nuggets, combining tender chicken pieces coated with a sweet potato and breadcrumb mixture seasoned with garlic, onion, and paprika. This easy, healthier alternative to traditional fried nuggets is perfect for a quick snack or meal and cooks to golden perfection in the air fryer.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
Coating
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and grated
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Egg Wash
- 2 large eggs, beaten
Finishing
- Olive oil spray, for coating
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat for 5 minutes to ensure the nuggets cook evenly and develop a crispy exterior.
- Prepare the coating: In a large bowl, combine the grated sweet potato, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until smooth.
- Coat the chicken pieces: Dip each bite-sized piece of chicken breast into the beaten egg, then thoroughly coat it with the sweet potato breadcrumb mixture, pressing the mixture onto the chicken so it adheres well.
- Arrange and air fry: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking. Place the coated chicken nuggets in a single layer inside the basket without overlapping. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes, flipping the nuggets halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning and crisping.
- Serve and enjoy: Remove the nuggets once they’re golden and crispy. Serve immediately with your choice of dipping sauces such as honey mustard, ranch, or barbecue sauce for a delicious snack or meal.
Notes
- Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation for crispiness.
- Press the coating firmly onto the chicken pieces to prevent it from falling off during cooking.
- If you want extra crispiness, lightly spray the coated nuggets with olive oil before air frying.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the air fryer model; check nuggets for doneness before serving.
