These delicious Keto Chicken Nuggets can be baked or air-fried and are low carb and gluten free. They make a quick lunch or easy dinner with under 4 net carbs per serving.
Keto Chicken Nuggets
If you miss classic comfort foods while following a low-carb plan, these crunchy chicken nuggets are an excellent solution. Grain- and gluten-free, they use almond flour and Parmesan for a flavorful, crisp coating. You can bake a large batch in the oven or make smaller, faster batches in an air fryer — both methods yield tasty, keto-friendly nuggets.
Are Chicken Nuggets Keto?
Most store-bought or fast-food chicken nuggets are not keto because their breading contains flour or breadcrumbs, which add too many carbs. These homemade nuggets swap traditional breading for a mixture of almond flour and Parmesan, plus herbs and spices, to keep carbs low while delivering satisfying crunch and flavor.
Ingredients in Keto Chicken Nuggets
Below is a concise ingredient overview. The full recipe and instructions follow in the recipe card.
- Chicken breast, cut into small, evenly sized pieces
- Egg, beaten
- Mayonnaise
- Almond flour (avoid substituting coconut flour; if almonds aren’t an option, crushed pork rinds can be used instead)
- Grated or powdered Parmesan (not shredded)
- Spices: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic salt, black pepper
How to make Keto Chicken Nuggets
These nuggets come together quickly using a simple dredging method. Key steps:
- Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces so they cook uniformly.
- Whisk the egg and mayonnaise together in a shallow bowl.
- Mix the almond flour, grated Parmesan, and spices in a separate bowl.
- Dip each piece of chicken into the egg-mayo mixture, then fully coat with the almond flour and Parmesan mixture.
Cook in the oven for larger batches or in the air fryer for faster results. Oven-baked nuggets take longer but allow you to cook more at once; air fryer nuggets cook faster but typically require multiple batches.
How long do you cook Chicken Nuggets in an Air Fryer?
Preheat the air fryer to 390°F. Arrange nuggets in a single layer without crowding and lightly spray the tops with cooking oil. Cook for 4 minutes, flip, spray again if needed, and cook an additional 4–5 minutes. Remove when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Cooking times vary by appliance and nugget thickness, so check the temperature to ensure doneness.
Can you bake Keto Chicken Nuggets?
Yes. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place coated nuggets on a greased or foil-lined baking sheet and brush or drizzle with melted butter. Bake for 10–12 minutes, turn the nuggets, then bake an additional 8–10 minutes until golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
How to store and reheat chicken nuggets
Refrigeration: Store cooled nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Freezing: Freeze nuggets on a sheet pan until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag; they keep up to three months.
Reheating:
- Microwave: Heat on a microwave-safe plate in 30-second increments until warm (thaw frozen nuggets first).
- Oven: Preheat to 450°F and bake on a tray for 8–12 minutes; add 3–5 minutes if reheating from frozen.
- Air fryer: Preheat to 350°F. For refrigerated nuggets, cook 3 minutes, flip, then 3 more minutes. For frozen nuggets, cook 8 minutes, flip, then another 8 minutes, checking that they are heated through.
Are chicken nuggets good for keto meal prep?
Yes. These nuggets are convenient for meal prep: prepare and freeze them raw to cook later, or freeze after cooking and reheat when needed. They taste great hot or cold, making them versatile for lunches, snacks, or quick dinners.
Keto Dipping Sauces
Many keto-friendly dipping sauces pair well with these nuggets. Popular options include sugar-free ketchup, low-carb BBQ, or a tangy mayonnaise-based sauce. Choose sauces without added sugars to keep the meal low carb.
More chicken recipes
- Keto Chicken Fajita Quesadilla
- Keto Chicken Zucchini Stir-Fry
- Keto Chicken Skillet with Bacon Cream Sauce
- Grilled Garlic 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
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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
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Preheat the oven to 425°F (air fryer instructions below).
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Spray a large cookie sheet with cooking spray or line with foil.
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In a shallow bowl, combine the egg and mayonnaise and beat until smooth. In another bowl, mix the almond flour, Parmesan, and seasonings. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, then dredge in the breading until completely coated.
Oven Instructions
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Arrange coated nuggets on the prepared sheet and brush with melted butter.
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Bake 8–10 minutes, carefully turn with tongs, and bake another 5–10 minutes until cooked through and golden. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Air Fryer Instructions
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Preheat the air fryer to 390°F. Place nuggets in a single layer without crowding.
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Spray the tops with oil and cook 4 minutes. Flip, spray if needed, and cook 4–5 more minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Cooking times vary by appliance and nugget size; check temperature to confirm doneness.