Air fryer dino nuggets have quickly become one of my go-to snacks for my picky eaters. They’re not only ready in under 10 minutes, but they also make for a fun and tasty treat that works perfectly as a quick weeknight meal or an easy snack anytime.
- Prep Time; 1minute min
- Cook Time: 9minutes mins
- Total Time: 10minutes mins
- Course: Appetizer, Dinner
- Cuisine: American
- Serving: 4
- Calories: 427 kcal
Equipment:
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients:
- 16 Chicken nuggets dinosaur shaped, frozen
Instructions :
- Place the dinosaur nuggets into a single layer in the prepared air fryer basket.
- Air fry dino nuggets at 400 degrees Fahrenheit/200 degrees Celcius for 8-10 minutes.
- Flip the frozen nuggets halfway through the cooking process. Add an extra minute for extra crispy nuggets.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes:
- I love to serve these yummy dino buddies with carrots and celery. If your little ones aren’t a fan of those veggies, you can also serve them with french fries or even sweet potato fries.
- Serve these chicken nuggets with fry sauce, ketchup, bbq sauce, honey mustard sauce, Ranch dipping sauce, or buffalo sauce if you like a little spice.
- I make this recipe in my Cosori 5.8 qt. air fryer or 6.8 quart air fryer. Depending on your air fryer, size and wattage, cooking time may need to be adjusted 1-2 minutes.
Nutrition:
Calories: 427kcal | Protein: 35g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 148mg | Sodium: 140mg | Potassium: 300mg | Vitamin A: 283IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 2mg
Recipe Overview: Air Fryer Dino Nuggets
Preparing Your Air Fryer Basket
If you’re using a basket-style air fryer, you might find that the nonstick coating on my Cosori usually eliminates the need for any additional greasing. However, if you’d like to be extra cautious about sticking, a light spray of olive oil or a piece of parchment paper under the nuggets can make cleanup a breeze.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Dinosaur Chicken Nuggets: Explore various brands like Tyson, Perdue, and Yummy in your local grocery store’s freezer aisle.
How to Cook Dino Nuggets in Your Air Fryer
- Arrange: Place the dinosaur nuggets in a single layer in your prepped air fryer basket.
- Cook: Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 8-10 minutes.
- Flip: Halfway through cooking, flip the nuggets over. If you want them extra crispy, add an additional minute.
- Serve: Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce!
Note: I typically use either my Cosori 5.8 qt or 6.8 qt air fryer; depending on your model’s size and wattage, you may need to adjust cooking time by 1-2 minutes.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers:
Storing Leftovers: If you’ve made more than you can eat (it happens!), store leftover dino nuggets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Reheating Tips: To reheat refrigerated dino nuggets, place them back into the air fryer at 350°F for about two minutes or until heated through.
FAQs:
What should I serve with dino nuggets?
I love pairing these fun dino bites with fresh carrots and celery sticks! If those veggies don’t appeal to your little ones, consider serving them alongside french fries—sweet potato fries or waffle fries work great too—or even mac and cheese for a complete meal.
What are some good dipping sauces?
These chicken nuggets go well with all kinds of dips—try fry sauce, ketchup, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, ranch dressing, or buffalo sauce if you’re looking for something spicy!
How do I make homemade chicken nuggets?
For a healthier alternative without artificial ingredients found in frozen options:
- Gather boneless skinless chicken breast,
- Flour,
- Panko breadcrumbs,
- Your favorite seasonings,
- And eggs.
Cut the chicken into small pieces; coat each piece first in flour then dip it into beaten eggs before rolling it in seasoned panko breadcrumbs. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for about eight minutes while flipping halfway through cooking. For fun shapes like dinosaurs, use cookie cutters on larger pieces of cut chicken!
This recipe is incredibly easy and quicker than baking in a conventional oven! Plus, using an air fryer makes whipping up snacks like these dinosaur-shaped goodies super fast—a fantastic way to get meals on the table without much fuss!
