These game changing freezer-to-table Air Fryer Dino Nuggets save the day when time is crunched short and dinner still needs to be made. In less than 10 minutes, you can have hot, crispy nuggets on the table with fresh fruit and veggies for a meal that your kids will enjoy.
These all natural chicken nuggets that are made more fun by serving them into dinosaur shapes are favorites for kids and adults alike. These yummy nuggets come out crispy and it will be hard to eat just one.
🍽️ Why This Works
Easy to Make | How much more simple can it be than to throw these from the bag into the air fryer? Push “start” and dinner is well on its way. Give the kids their favorite Waffle Fries or Mini Corn Dogs (both air fried) to go right along with it.
Fast | This is so fas, taking just 8-10 minutes in total. Because these are thinner than traditional nuggets, they crisp up fast.
Crispy Texture | Don’t worry about any soggy chicken nuggets when you are using the air fryer to make dinner. These are perfectly crispy without being overly crunchy.
Cook From Frozen | There is no need to defrost just like with the Mrs T’s Pierogis, which saves even more time and allows you to decide at the last minute that this is what is going on the table for the kids tonight.
Healthier than Deep Frying | The option for deep frying food is off the table when using the fryer now. We no longer have to use the deep fryer to get the crispy exterior that we all crave. Nobody is ever going to say chicken nuggets are healthy but using the air fryer is much healthier than the alternative.
🦖 Ingredients
Tyson’s Dino Chicken Nuggets | Whether you choose to use the Tyson’s, Perdue’s, Foster Farms, Yummy Dino or Target’s Fresh Market Brand, they will all cook the same. These are typically thinner than traditional traditional chicken nuggets, which means they are not only super fun to eat but they are wicked fast to cook.
⏲️ Equipment and Tools
Air Fryer | We used the Ninja Air Fryer next to our Instant Vortex Plus 7 in 1 to make a side by side comparison of the two machines. the Instant Vortex cooks them faster, especially on the top shelf so if you have an oven or tray style, always check the time EARLIER than listed. The Vortex also preheats where the Ninja doesn’t.
The same concept will work if you have the Pampered Chef, Gourmia, Chefman, Cosori or Nuwave basket versions.
Parchment Paper | I used the the Air Fryer Parchment Paper Liners to make the cleanup speedy on this one. I’ve also used the Air Fryer Reusable Liners as well and love both versions.
🔥 Instructions
Step One: Place the nuggets in the basket or on the tray of the AF and cook straight from frozen at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes. The photos shown are from my Ninja basket for 8 minutes, turning half way through.
Step Two: Remove from the Air Fryer and serve with sauces and your favorite side dish for a meal that is ready in under 10 minutes.
Pro Tip: Always check the time early the first time you cook any new recipe or food in the Air Fryer as each model cooks slightly different. If the time suggested is 6-8 minutes, check the first time at 5-6 minutes and see how it’s going.
🐔 Serving Suggestions
Sauces: We love to serve these up with our favorite dipping sauces: fry sauce, Chick Fil A sauce, ketchup, ranch or even BBQ sauce. Serve them in little ramekins and it makes the meal so much fun to eat. The grown ups love to make the Avocado Dipping Sauce.
Side Dishes: We add a big ol’ tray of cut up veggies to nibble on with a batch of sour cream ranch dip. Adults and kids gobble these up if they are set up in a tray ready to go.
🦖 Best Nugget Brand, Calories and Ingredients
| BRAND | CALORIES/SERVING | NOTES |
| Perdue Panko Breaded | 240 | 100% natural all white meat, no antibiotics, |
| Tyson Dino Nuggets (FUN NUGGETS) | 180 | 100% natural all white meat, no antibiotics, no preservatives, no hormones, no steroids, no fillers. |
| Tyson Organic Dino Nuggets | 190 | 100% natural all white meat, 100% non GMO ingredients, all organic white meat, no antibiotics, no hormones, no steroids |
| Yummy Dino Buddies | 180 | 100% natural all white meat, no antibiotics, no artificial ingredients, flavors or preservatives. |
| Yummy Dino Buddies Gluten Free | 180 | 100% natural all white meat, no antibiotics, no artificial ingredients (no artificial colors, preservatives or flavors), |
| Yummy Dino Buddies Whole Grain | 190 | 100% natural all white meat, no antibiotics, no artificial ingredients (no artificial colors, preservatives or flavors), 45% less sodium |
| Wellshire Dino Nuggets | 170 | All natural, made with chicken breast and rib meat, no antibiotics, gluten free. |
🦕 Favorite Frozen Foods for Air Fryer
Frozen Curly Fries (We made a charcuterie board using these!)
Frozen Mini Corn Dogs (We made a charcuterie board using these!)
❗ Expert Tips
There is no need to spray the nuggets with oil for this recipe. They will crisp up perfectly without any additional oil or sprays.
With all recipes made in the air fryer, don’t crowd the ingredients. Remember how the air fryer works with the heat circulation AROUND each piece of food. When you pile them up, they will get soggy and not crisp up for you.
Since you need circulation of air to get the food crispy, if you have a big family or want to cook a larger amount, look at using a tray versions like the Instant Vortex. Nuwave Brio has a great tray version as well, or try the Hamilton Beach 11.6 Qt that has three trays. Not only will you get more room to cook, but you will also gain rotisserie and dehydrator options.
Another option is to get the Ninja Dual Basket version which simply doubles the amount you can traditionally cook in a basket.
If you are just starting out and not sure if you will use this counter-hog machine much, start with a basket version. They are so easy to use and you’ll find yourself using it quite a bit. Brands like Cosori, Ninja, Phillips, Nuwave and and Hamilton Beach can all be purchased at Amazon, Walmart, Costco and even Bed Bath and Beyond (you know to use those coupons when shopping, right?). The basket version comes at a lower price point so you aren’t out too much if you don’t like it.
Snag the {FREE} Air Frying Cheat Sheet 3 Page Printable to guide you through all of your favorite foods cooked perfectly every time!
🍇 What to Serve with Dino Nuggets?
Kid friendly veggie options are:
Air Fryer Cheesy Roasted Asparagus
Roasted Rutabaga Fries (oven and AF versions)
Honey Herb Roasted Carrots (oven and AF versions)
🔪 Storage and Reheating
If you happen to have leftovers, store them in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
Reheat the nuggets in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to heat and crisp back up. Normal chicken nuggets will reheat for 4-5 minutes. These are thinner and don’t need as much time. Microwave reheating is not suggested as the exterior becomes mushy and not crispy.
🧂 Recipe FAQ
For the specific Dino version (not regular chicken nuggets), cook at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
Yummy Dino, Perdue, Perdue Organic, Tyson, Foster Farms and John Soules Foods. Target’s Market Fresh brand also has a version available. Walmart sells a Jurassic World version that is all shaped in dinosaurs as well.
Cook them in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes. Reheat in the toaster oven for 2-3 minutes as well.
According to webmd.com, even when the packaging states that they are organic or all natural, they are still loaded with sodium and and fat. Unfortunately, there is limited regulations on the term “all natural.” Yummy Dino Buddies are an example of boneless, skinless chicken breast with rib meat filler. They also have fewer preservatives, but they do contain soy which can be used as a filler. We don’t know how much less.
Choose organic if you are looking for the healthiest nuggets as that word is regulated in the US. If a company chooses to use the term Organic Chicken Nuggets, the chicken has to be raised with 95% organic ingredients and it has to be raised with no antibiotics or pesticides.
We all love to eat these from time to time, but be aware of your caloric and fat / sodium intake.
If you want to eat the healthiest nuggets, Huffington Post has a great article on the top picks which include Bell and Evans, Nature Raised Farms and Applegate Farms for all choosing to use no antibiotics when raising their chickens. These nugget choices are also pulling from chicken breasts rather than
Look for the Tyson’s or the Yummy Dino Buddies for gluten free breading versions. The Yummy one has a big purple logo on the front of the box telling you it is gluten free.
Bake these at 425 for 10-12 minutes.
Low Prep Air Fryer Recipes
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Chicken Dino Nuggets in the Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 12 Dino Nuggets
Instructions
- Place the nuggets in the basket or on the tray of the Air Fryer and cook straight from frozen at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Turn them over half way through.
- Serve with your favorite sauces, side dishes or over a big bed of greens.
Notes
Nutrition
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