Lowfat Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets & French Fries
Chicken Nuggets:
Ingredients:
▢ 16 oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into even 1-inch bite sized pieces, from 2 large breasts
▢ 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and black pepper, to taste
▢ 2 teaspoons olive oil
▢ 6 tablespoons whole wheat Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
▢ 2 tablespoons panko
▢ 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
▢ olive oil spray
Instructions:
Put the olive oil in one bowl and the breadcrumbs, panko and parmesan cheese in another.
Season chicken with salt and pepper, then put in the bowl with the olive oil and mix well so the olive oil evenly coats all of the chicken.
Put a few chunks of chicken at a time into the breadcrumb mixture to coat, then on the basket.
Lightly spray the top with olive oil spray then air fry 400F 8 minutes, turning halfway, until golden.
Nutrition:
Serving: 4 oz chicken (1/4 of the recipe), Calories: 188 kcal, Carbohydrates: 8 g, Protein: 25 g, Fat: 4.5 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 57 mg, Sodium: 427 mg, Sugar: 0.5 g
French Fries:
- 2 russet potatoes cut into fries
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Step 1: Cut potatoes into french fries. Scrub the potatoes, rinse well, and pat dry. Then, with a sharp knife, cut the potato lengthwise into slices the width you like your fries. Cut each piece lengthwise into french fries.
Step 2: Blanch uncooked fries. Bring a large deep pot of water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until they start to soften (about 3 minutes). Drain and transfer to a large bowl to cool—dry well with paper towels.
Step 3: Season blanched fries. Drizzle olive oil, salt, and pepper over the potatoes and toss.
Step 4: Cook seasoned fries in the air fryer. Transfer the fries to your air fryer basket in a relatively single layer. The pieces can overlap somewhat, but don’t overcrowd the basket. Set the air fryer to 400 ℉, and cook (tossing the basket a few times) until the fries are tender and crisped to your liking (about 18 minutes).
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I absolutely adore making chicken nuggets and french fries in my air fryer, and I wanted to share some extra tips I've picked up to make them even more delicious and perfectly crispy every single time! This combo is such a lifesaver for busy weeknights, and knowing it's a healthier, low-fat option makes it even better. First off, for those golden brown air-fried chicken nuggets, getting that amazing crunch is key. I've found that sometimes, a light second spray of olive oil right before they go back in for the second half of cooking really helps with browning and crispiness. Also, don't skimp on the breading! If you want extra crunchy breaded chicken pieces, you can sometimes do a quick dip back into the oil and then the breadcrumb mixture for a thicker coating – just make sure it adheres well. Preheating your air fryer is also a game-changer; it helps the nuggets start cooking immediately, leading to a crispier exterior. And please, resist the urge to overcrowd the basket! Airflow is your best friend here. Now, let's talk about those seasoned french fries. The recipe already mentions blanching, which is crucial, but I also love to give my cut potatoes a good cold water soak for at least 30 minutes (or even longer in the fridge) before blanching. This helps remove excess starch, which contributes to a crispier fry. After blanching, make sure they are super dry – pat them thoroughly with paper towels. When seasoning, don't just stick to salt and black pepper seasoning. I often add a pinch of garlic powder, paprika, or even some onion powder to give my rustic, skin-on fries an extra flavor boost. For that perfect texture, shaking the basket frequently during cooking is non-negotiable. It ensures even cooking and browning on all sides. Beyond the basic seasonings, think about dipping sauces! While ketchup is a classic, I sometimes whip up a quick honey mustard, a spicy sriracha mayo, or even a simple homemade ranch. For a complete meal, I love to serve these with a fresh green salad or some steamed veggies. It balances out the meal perfectly. The beauty of the air fryer for this duo is how incredibly convenient and mess-free it is. No deep-frying oil splatters or heavy clean-up, and you still get that satisfying crunch we all crave. Plus, it's fantastic for making healthier versions of our favorite comfort foods. You truly get that restaurant-quality crispiness with significantly less fat. And here's a bonus tip: if you're making a larger batch and need to keep some warm, you can transfer the cooked nuggets and fries to a baking sheet in a warm oven (around 200°F/95°C) while the rest finish cooking in the air fryer. This keeps them crispy without overcooking. Give these extra tips a try, and let me know how your air fryer chicken nuggets and fries turn out!