3 Ingredient Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets - Low Carb, High Protein Recipe
These 3 Ingredient Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets are a low carb, high protein snack or meal option that’s quick and easy to prepare. Made with canned chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, and an egg, these nuggets are seasoned with basic spices and cooked to golden perfection in the air fryer. Perfect for a healthy, convenient bite, they offer a delicious alternative to traditional fried chicken nuggets without the extra carbs or oil.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 25 nuggets
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Carb
Ingredients
Chicken Mixture
- 2 cups canned chicken breast, drained
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 large egg
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
For Cooking
- Avocado oil cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Drain canned chicken breast thoroughly and place it in a large mixing bowl. Break up the chicken using a stand mixer, handheld mixer, or food processor. The food processor produces a finer texture, while mixers retain chunkier pieces.
- Mix ingredients: Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, the egg, and shredded cheddar cheese to the chicken. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined to form the nugget mixture.
- Shape the nuggets: Use a cookie scoop to portion the mixture and gently flatten each portion into a nugget shape. Arrange the nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, which has been sprayed with avocado oil cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Air fry the nuggets: Set the air fryer to 375°F and cook the nuggets for 10-12 minutes. Cook until the nuggets are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
- Serve: Enjoy your homemade chicken nuggets with your favorite dipping sauces like keto chicken sauce, Sweet Sriracha Mayo, or any dipping sauce of your choice.
- Store leftovers: Keep any leftover nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place in the air fryer at 425°F for 5 minutes until warmed through.
Notes
- For a finer nugget texture, use a food processor; for chunkier textures, use a mixer.
- Adjust seasoning quantities according to taste preferences.
- Ensure the nuggets reach an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure they are safely cooked.
- Use avocado oil spray or any high smoke point oil to prevent sticking in the air fryer.
- Reheating in the air fryer maintains crispiness better than a microwave.
- These nuggets are naturally low carb and high protein, making them suitable for keto and low carb diets.
