These air fryer dino nuggets are truly dino-mite. Turn your favorite nuggies into a delicious lunch in no time thanks to your air fryer!
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My kids love dinosaur nuggets, and if I'm being honest- so do I. They're so yummy! They're a fun shape. And they taste superior to traditional nuggets (or at least, we think so). Not only that, but they feel more fun to eat.
Dino nuggies are so much fun for all ages, but if you want to hide them away don't be afraid to put a few dinosaurs in your next Chicken Nugget Wrap.
Of course, you can also serve Air Fryer Dino Nuggets at a party alongside some Blue Raspberry Lemonade and Dinosaur Cupcakes for a themed event.
Jump to:
- 💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- 🛒 Ingredients
- 💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
- 🥄 How to Cook Dino Nuggets in Air Fryer
- 📖 Different Cooking Variations
- 🐓 Different Dino Nugget Brands
- 👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- ❄️ Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead
- 🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
- ❓ Air Fryer Dino Nuggets FAQs
- 🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Air Fryer Dino Nuggets are quick. When you cook nuggets in the oven, there's all of that wait time for the oven to preheat and then the time needed to actually cook the nuggets. The air fryer cuts all of that time down in half (if not more).
- You can use any nugget. Choose the plant based dino nuggets, gluten free nuggets, or any variation of choice. Even regular frozen nuggets will work fine, although they may not be as fun to eat.
- One ingredient and done. Yup, that's right. All we need to make this recipe is a box of nuggets. Once you have that, your shopping is complete, and all that's left to do is push a few buttons on the air fryer.
🛒 Ingredients
Dinosaur nuggets- Use your favorite brand of dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets.
Ketchup- This is totally optional, but you may want some ketchup, Homemade BBQ sauce, or other dipping sauce for your nuggets.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Buy in bulk. Larger bags of frozen nuggets usually cost far less per serving than smaller boxes.
Stretch with sides. Pair nuggets with inexpensive pantry-friendly sides like canned veggies, instant mashed potatoes, or rice to create a full, filling meal without spending more.
🥄 How to Cook Dino Nuggets in Air Fryer
Step 1: Place your nuggets in an even layer in the basket of your air fryer.
Step 2: Cook for 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees F. Flip them over or shake the basket halfway through.
Serve with a side of ketchup or dipping sauce if desired.
Enjoy!
📖 Different Cooking Variations
Microwave Method: If you don't have an air fryer or prefer a quicker method, microwave your dino nuggets. Note that they won't crisp up as in the air fryer.
- Microwave 5 nuggets at a time on a microwave-safe plate for 1 ½ - 2 minutes.
- Allow to cool for 1-2 minutes before serving.
Oven Method: For cooking larger batches, arrange all nuggets on a large baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for approximately 11 minutes.
🐓 Different Dino Nugget Brands
There's a wide variety of dinosaur-shaped nugget brands available, showcasing their popularity:
- Kirkwood Dinosaur Shaped Nuggets
- Tyson Dino Fun Nuggets
- Perdue Panko Breaded Dino Nuggets
- Yummy Dino Buddies offers various options such as original, whole grain, gluten-free, and meatless veggie nuggets.
This recipe works well with all of these brands.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Thawing is not needed. You do not need to thaw these nuggets before using them. Cooking from frozen will yield the best results (and save on time!)
- No need to grease the air fryer. You do not need to grease the air fryer before use, but you can if desired. If you want to grease the basket, I recommend brushing olive oil over the tray rather than spraying cooking oil onto it.
❄️ Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead
Storage: Keep leftover cooked Air Fryer Dino Nuggets in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheating:
- Air Fryer (best method): 350°F for 3-4 minutes until crisp.
- Microwave: 30-60 seconds, though the nuggets will be softer.
- Oven: 375°F for about 8 minutes.
Make Ahead: Air fry a full batch, cool completely, then refrigerate for quick grab-and-reheat lunches throughout the week. You can also portion them into lunch containers for easy kid meals.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
The best part about Air Fryer Dino Nuggets is that the side dishes can be simple and easy too. Choose between options like french fries, potato chips, No Bake Apple Donuts, fresh fruit and Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip, or even Sour Patch Grapes.
- No Bake Apple DonutsRecipe $2.66 / Serving $1.33
- Sour Patch GrapesRecipe $7.85 / Serving $1.31
- Unicorn Party Food Ideas
- Almond Bark PopcornRecipe $0.80 / Serving $0.20
❓ Air Fryer Dino Nuggets FAQs
You will need to cook your nuggets for about 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees F. I find that 8 minutes is perfect for us, but 10 minutes is great for getting a slightly crispier texture out of the breading.
Yes, these nuggets are pre-cooked. Most frozen nuggets (if not all) that you find in your local grocery store are precooked for safety reasons.
When compared to other snack foods, they can be considered a healthier alternative. Some nuggets are made with lean white meat chicken that has no added hormones and high omega 3's.
🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs and PotatoesRecipe $7.86 / Serving $1.57
- Air Fryer Frozen WafflesRecipe $1.07 / Serving $0.54
- Air Fryer Canned CornRecipe $1.47 / Serving $0.37
- Air Fryer Club SandwichRecipe $2.36
🐝 If you tried these Air Fryer Dino Nuggets, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Dino Nuggets
Equipment
Ingredients
- 20 pieces frozen dino nuggets - ($3.16)
- ¼ cup ketchup or dipping sauce, optional
Instructions
- Arrange. Place the frozen nuggets in an even layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook. Air fry at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping or shaking the basket halfway through.
- Serve. Serve warm with ketchup or dipping sauce if desired.
Notes
- Variations. Microwave 5 nuggets on a plate for 1 ½ to 2 minutes. Oven bake on a baking sheet at 350°F for 11 minutes.
- Recipe Tips. Nuggets cook best from frozen. Greasing the air fryer is optional. Reheat cooked nuggets in the air fryer for 3 to 4 minutes or microwave for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Storage. Freeze uncooked nuggets for up to 3 months. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Nutritional Information
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