Keto Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer: Low-Carb, Grain-Free

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Looking for a keto-friendly chicken nugget recipe? Look no further! This recipe for keto chicken nuggets in the air fryer is low-carb, grain-free, and absolutely delicious.

The pork panko breading gives these nuggets a nice crunchy texture. Serve these nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!

A Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nugget Copycat?

The fact that these nuggets are grain-free may have you wondering how these can be a Chick-Fil-A copycat.

Believe me, I was shocked the first time I tried this dish. I wasn’t planning on creating a copycat dish, but with the first bite, Chick-Fil-A nuggets came to mind!

So, if you’re looking for a keto-friendly version of your favorite fast-food chicken nugget, look no further!

These nuggets are every bit as crispy and delicious as the real thing. And they’re much healthier for you, too!

Are Chicken Nuggets Keto?

Technically, chicken nuggets are not keto. However, this recipe for keto chicken nuggets is a great low-carb alternative that will satisfy your cravings.

The pork panko breading is what makes these nuggets so special. It’s a great way to get that crunchy texture without all the carbs.

How to Make Keto Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer

With only 4 ingredients and 3 spices, recipes don’t get much easier than this!

The Four Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken tenders, cut into nuggets
• 1 1/2 cups pork panko
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream

The Three Spices:

• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Making these nuggets in the air fryer is super simple.

Start by preheating your air fryer to 400 degrees F.

While the air fryer is preheating, whisk together the eggs and heavy cream.

Then, in a medium bowl, combine the pork panko and seasonings.

This part gets a little messy, but dip each nugget in the egg mixture, then roll it around in the seasoned pork panko until well coated.

Place the nuggets in the air fryer basket and cook for 15 minutes at 400 degrees F.

I stopped the air fryer at about the 10-minute mark to give it a good shake before the final 5 minutes.

That’s it!! Easy peasy!

Can you bake Keto Chicken Nuggets?

Absolutely! If you decide to cook your chicken nuggets in the oven, I recommend using a baking rack over a baking sheet, so you can get some airflow beneath the nuggets.

Cook for 10-12 minutes at 425 degrees F until they have begun to brown.

Then, flip the chicken nuggets and cook an additional 8-10 minutes.

Because the airflow in the oven is different than in the air fryer, it will be difficult to get them as crispy without burning, but the low carb keto chicken nuggets will still taste amazing!

How to Store the Homemade Chicken Nuggets

Assuming you actually have leftovers (and at my house, we rarely do!), you can store these in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How to Reheat this Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Preheat the air fryer to 350 F.

Place the leftover nuggets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket.

Cook for 3-5 minutes, turning the chicken nuggets over halfway through the cooking time.

Air Fryer Chicken Nugget Dipping Sauce Ideas

Now, as a Chick-Fil-A nugget purest, BBQ should be the ONLY answer here.

AND my favorite keto-friendly, store-bought barbeque sauce is the No Sugar Added Sweet Baby Ray’s!

But for those that prefer other options, you can dip these nuggets in…

• Sugar-Free Ketchup
• Avocado Oil Mayo
• Dijon Mustard
• Any Primal Kitchen Dipping Sauce

How Many Carbs are in these Keto Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets?

For compression’s sake, I looked up the nutritional data for Chick-fil-A nuggets.

8 count Chick-fil-A nuggets

• Calories: 250
• Fat: 11 grams
• Carbs: 11 grams
• Protein: 27 grams

My Keto chicken Nuggets Recipe (1/4 the recipe)

• Calories: 381
• Fat: 22 grams
• Carbs: 0.5 grams
• Protein: 48 grams

As you can see, my gluten-free and grain-free recipe is less than 1 total carb per serving.

Keto Air Fried Nuggets for the WIN!

I hope you enjoy this keto chicken nugget recipe as much as my family does!

Let me know how they turn out in the comments below.

And don’t forget to tag @healthyambitions.co on Instagram if you make them! I love seeing your creations!

More Low Carb and Keto Chicken Recipes

• Green Chili Mexican Chicken
• Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
• Oven Baked Chicken Wings
• Keto Chicken Carbonara