Go Back
Air fryer gluten free chicken nuggets with crispy golden breading, juicy tender chicken, and a sweet dipping sauce, served as an easy gluten free appetizer or family meal.
Print Recipe

Air Fryer Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets - Crispy, Simple, and Crowd-Pleasing

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time27 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • Chicken: 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch nuggets
  • Marinade: 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup unsweetened dairy-free milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice), 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Coating: 1 cup gluten free panko breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup cornstarch (or arrowroot), 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Binder: 2 large eggs, beaten (or 3 tablespoons mayo thinned with 1 tablespoon water for egg-free)
  • Oil: Avocado or olive oil spray
  • Optional dip: Ketchup, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or ranch (gluten free)

Instructions

  • Prep the chicken: Pat the chicken dry and cut into bite-size nuggets, about 1 inch each, for even cooking.
  • Marinate: In a bowl, combine buttermilk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add chicken, stir to coat, and marinate for 20–30 minutes (or up to 8 hours in the fridge).
  • Set up the coating station: In one shallow bowl, whisk the eggs. In a second bowl, mix gluten free panko, cornstarch, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  • Preheat the air fryer: Heat to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. A hot basket helps instant browning.
  • Coat the nuggets: Let excess marinade drip off each piece. Dip in egg, then press into the panko-cornstarch mix until fully coated. Place on a plate. Repeat with all pieces.
  • Oil the basket and nuggets: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange nuggets in a single layer with space between them. Spray the tops lightly as well. Work in batches if needed.
  • Air fry: Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8 minutes. Flip, spray again, and cook another 4–6 minutes, until golden and crisp and the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally.
  • Season and serve: Sprinkle with a pinch of salt while hot. Serve with your favorite gluten free dipping sauce.