Dino Nuggets in the Air Fryer

When it comes to kid-approved meals, nothing beans dino nuggets in the air fryer. This recipe is a life-saver for busy weeknights… but don’t be surprised if the family starts asking for it all the time!

Frozen air fryer recipes are a lifesaver on busy weeknights. Whether I need to get a meal on the table fast or I just forgot to get something out for dinner, being able to make these dino nuggets in the air fryer is the perfect solution!

First of all, my kids absolutely love this meal. Second, I can go from freezer to table in about ten minutes! The instructions couldn’t be easier. Then, I simply get out their favorite sauces and serve.

Here’s what I’m going to teach you in this post:

• How to make the best air fryer crispy dino nuggets
• Which brands of dino nuggets will work for this recipe
• What sauces to serve with this meal
• Kid-friendly sides to go with dino nuggets

If you’re like me, you probably find yourself in need of a quick meal you know the kids will devour at least once a week. It’s so nice to know you can just throw some Tyson dino nuggets in the air fryer! 

And even though I’m pretty sure the dino chicken nuggets taste exactly the same as regular chicken nuggets, my kids seem to love them so much more. The shapes are just too fun! Once you give this recipe a try, don’t be surprised if your family starts asking for it all the time.

And if you love chicken nuggets, try our homemade chicken nuggets in the air fryer recipe too!

How to Cook Dino Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.

STEP TWO: Place your dinosaur nuggets in the air fryer, leaving space between each one for the hot air to circulate properly.

STEP THREE: Cook for 4-5 minutes. 

STEP FOUR: Flip and cook the dinosaur nuggets in the air fryer for another 3-4 minutes. 

What Kinds of Frozen Dino Nuggets Can I Use?

You should be able to use any brand of frozen breaded dino nuggets in the air fryer! Here are a few of the brands I’ve tried and loved:

• Perdue Chicken Plus Dino Nuggets
• Tyson Fun Nuggets
• Yummy Dino Buddies
• Fast Fixin Dino Bites
• Weaver Chicken Breast Fun Nuggets
• Kirkwood Dino Nuggets

If you find another brand at your local grocery store, feel free to give it a try! 

How Long to Cook Dino Nuggets in the Air Fryer

The size of the nuggets can vary based on brand, but in most cases, you’re going to want to cook the nuggets for 7-9 minutes. Make sure to flip them halfway through the cook time to ensure even crispiness on all sides.

Because dino nuggets are pre-cooked, we don’t need them to reach a specific internal temperature. Rather, our goal is to heat them all the way through while giving the breading the perfect crispiness. 

This may take a little experimenting to find your perfect cooking time, but as long as you’re in the 7-9 minute range, you should be pretty set. And as far as experiments go, this is a pretty yummy one!

Sauces to Try with Dino Nuggets

• Avocado Lime Crema
• Barbeque
• Buffalo Sauce
• Honey Mustard
• Honey Sriracha Sauce
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Ranch

Kid-Friendly Sides to Serve with Air Fryer Dino Nuggets

• Air Fried French Fries
• Air Fryer Frozen Mozzarella Sticks
• Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings
• Easy Homemade Garlic Cheese Bread
• Tater Tots in the Air Fryer

Looking for more meal ideas the whole family will love? Make sure you check out my roundup of the best Kid-Friendly Air Fryer Recipes!

Tips to Get Crispy Dino Nuggets in the Air Fryer

• There is no need to grease or preheat your air fryer since the nuggets are already cooked. You can skip those steps and just add the nuggets straight to the basket.

• Leave space around your nuggets to allow the hot air to flow between them. This will allow the breading to get as crispy as possible. I was able to fit about 14 nuggets in my basket. 

• Flip the nuggets halfway through to make sure they cook evenly.

How to Reheat Air Fryer Dino Nuggets

1. Place the desired amount of nuggets in your air fryer, leaving space around them for the air to circulate. 
2. Cook at 350 degrees F for 2 to 3 minutes until warmed through.
3. Enjoy!

Other Frozen Chicken Recipes You’ll Love:

• Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets
• Frozen Chicken Patties in the Air Fryer
• Frozen Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breasts
• Frozen Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer

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