Keto Chicken Nuggets (oven or air fryer)
These delicious Keto Chicken Nuggets can be baked or air-fried and are low carb and gluten free! These make a perfect lunch or easy dinner for under 4 net carbs!
Keto Chicken Nuggets
Are you missing your tried and true comfort food on a low carb diet? I totally understand! We all need a few simple, familiar foods from time to time! These crunchy, savory chicken nuggets are low carb, gluten and grain free, as well as keto-friendly! You can also make them in the oven or in the air fryer!
Are Chicken Nuggets Keto?
Traditionally, no, chicken nuggets are not keto. Normally, they contain flour and or breadcrumbs in the breading, making the carb count way too high for keto. However, these crispy chicken nuggets have an almond flour and parmesan cheese crust that is spiked with herbs and spices, making these nuggets keto-approved!
Ingredients in Keto Chicken Nuggets
As always, here is a quick overview of the ingredients needed for these chicken nuggets. For the complete recipe, simply scroll to the end of the page.
- Chicken breast- cut into small pieces
- Egg
- Mayonnaise
- Almond flour: I do not recommend subbing coconut flour in this recipe. If you cannot have almond flour I would use pork rind panko in place of the flour.
- Parmesan- use the grated or powdered parmesan, not shredded
- Spices: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic salt
How to make Keto Chicken Nuggets
These homemade chicken nuggets are so simple and come together with just a few ingredients. You just need to follow these basic steps:
- First, cut your chicken into small pieces. Remember to cut them into equal sizes so the cooking time is the same.
- In a small bowl, combine the egg and mayonnaise.
- In a second small bowl, combine the almond flour, parmesan and spices.
- Dredge your chicken first in the egg and mayonnaise combination and then in the keto almond flour and parmesan mix. Be sure to fully coat to ensure you get the best flavor!
You can cook these nuggets in either the oven or the air fryer. If you use the oven, the nuggets do take longer to cook, but you are able to cook a large portion. If you choose the air fryer, they will cook faster but you will need to cook them in batches.
How long do you cook Chicken Nuggets in an Air Fryer?
Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F according to the directions. Place several of the nuggets in the air fryer basic, making sure not to crowd them. Spray the tops of the nuggets with cooking oil. Cook for 4 minutes. Flip the chicken and spray with cooking oil (if needed) and cook an additional 4-5 minutes until the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Remember, the cooking times can vary based on your machine and how thick each nugget is. Be sure to check as they cook and remove from the air fryer when they have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Can you bake Keto Chicken Nuggets?
If you decide to cook your chicken nuggets in the oven, you’ll need to put them into an oven that’s been preheated to 425 degrees. Cook for 10-12 minutes until they have begun to brown on the bottom. Flip the chicken nuggets and cook an additional 8-10 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
How to store and reheat air fryer chicken nuggets
To store in the fridge, place in a plastic or glass container with an airtight lid. These chicken nuggets will stay fresh in the fridge for up to four days. To freeze, place on a sheet pan and freeze then transfer to a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to three months.
To reheat in the microwave, place on a microwave safe plate and warm in 30 second increments until your desired temperature has been reached. If you are microwaving from frozen, you will need to thaw your nuggets first.
To reheat in the oven, warm your oven to 450 degrees and place your chicken on a baking tray. Bake for 8-12 minutes. If you are baking from frozen, add 3-5 minutes to your cooking time. To reheat in an air fryer, warm to 350 degrees and place your nuggets in an even layer. If preparing refrigerated nuggets, cook for 3 minutes then flip and cook for 3 more minutes. If reheating from frozen, cook for 8 minutes, flip, and cook for 8 more minutes.
Are chicken nuggets good for keto meal prep?
Absolutely! You can prepare these nuggets and freeze them until you are ready to cook them. Alternatively, you can freeze them after they have been cooked and reheat them in the methods listed above. These chicken nuggets are also delicious hot or cold!
Keto Dipping Sauces
If you are a sucker for sauces like I am you will be happy to know that there are many keto-friendly options available! This sauce is a dead ringer for Chick-fil-A sauce! It has that perfect balance of sweet and savory and it is the golden colored sauce you see photographed here. You will also find sugar free Ketchup, BBQ sauce and more available from this brand.
More chicken recipes
- Keto Chicken Fajita Quesadilla
- Keto Chicken Zucchini Stir-Fry
- Keto Chicken Skillet with Bacon Cream Sauce
- Chicken with Pesto Cream Sauce (keto + low carb)
More kid-friendly keto recipes
- Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza
- Keto Chicken Broccoli Cheddar Hot Pocket
- Ham and Cheese Calzone (keto + low carb)
- Keto Chocolate Chip Bars
Get the Recipe: Keto Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast, cut into 10 chicken tenders, then cut those into 4 nuggets (40 nuggets total)
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons butter, only needed if baking, not for the air fryer
For the Keto Breading
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (air fryer instructions also included below)
- Spray a large cookie sheet with cooking spray, or line with aluminum foil.
- In one shallow bowl combine the egg and mayonnaise, beat with a fork until it is completely combined. Set aside.
- In another shallow bowl combine the Keto Breading ingredients. Dip each sliced chicken nugget into the egg mixture, then dredge in the breading. Make sure the chicken is completely coated.
Oven Instructions
- Once each nugget is coated well, lay on the greased cooking sheet and brush with the melted butter.
- Bake 8-10 minutes, turn the chicken carefully using tongs and bake an additional 5-10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
Air Fryer Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F according to the directions. Place several of the nuggets in the air fryer basket, making sure not to crowd them.
- Spray the tops of the nuggets with cooking oil. Cook for 4 minutes. Flip the chicken and spray with cooking oil (if needed) and cook an additional 4-5 minutes until the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Remember, the cooking times can vary based on your machine and how thick each nugget is. Be sure to check as they cook and remove from the air fryer when they have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
