These air fryer dinosaur nuggets are truly dino-mite. Turn your favorite nuggies into a delicious lunch in no time thanks to your air fryer!
My kids love dinosaur nuggets, and if I'm being honest- so do I. They're so yummy! And they're a fun shape. They taste superior to traditional nuggets (or at least, we think so). Not only that, but they feel healthier too.
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 Wraps. Of course, you can also serve them up at a party alongside some Dinosaur Cupcakes for a themed event.
Why This Recipe Works
- It's 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.
Jump to:
🥘 Ingredients
Dinosaur nuggets- Use your favorite brand of dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets.
Ketchup- This is totally optional, but you may want some ketchup, BBQ sauce, or other dipping sauce for your nuggets.
For specific quantities, see the recipe card below.
🍽 Equipment Needed
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🔪 Instructions
Check out how to make air fryer dinosaur nuggets with these simple step-by-step instructions:
Place your nuggets in an even layer in the basket of your air fryer.
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!
📖 Variations
Microwave
Don't have an air fryer or want something a little faster? You can microwave your dino nuggets instead. Note that the results will be softer as they will not crisp up like they do in the air fryer.
Microwave your nuggets 5 at a time on a microwave safe plate for about 1 ½- 2 minutes. Cool for 1-2 minutes before serving.
Oven
If you want to cook up a large batch of nuggets at once you can arrange them all on a large baking sheet and cook in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 11 minutes. I recommend preheating the oven as you arrange the nuggets.
🍴 Recipe Tips
You do not need to thaw these nuggets before using them. Cooking from frozen will yield the best results (and save on time!)
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.
🍳 Reheating
If you have leftover cooked nuggets on hand, you can reheat them in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3-4 minutes or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes (depending on how many are on the plate).
🥗 Side Dishes
The best part about chicken 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 Candied Sour Grapes.
👩🏻🍳 Storage
You can keep your frozen chicken nuggets in the freezer for up to 3 months (after that, they may become freezer burnt). Leftover chicken nuggets can be kept stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days. Reheat again before serving.
🐓 Different Dino Nugget Brands
There are so many different brands offering dinosaur shaped nuggets (just more proof of how popular they are!)
Some examples include:
- Kirkwood Dinosaur Shaped Nuggets
- Tyson Dino Fun Nuggets
- Perdue Panko Breaded Dino Nuggets
- Yummy Dino Buddies is one that offers a wide variety like original, whole grain, gluten free, and meatless veggie 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 precooked. 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 great air fryer recipes to check out soon
- Air Fryer Canned Cinnamon Rolls
- Air Fryer Frozen Mozzarella Sticks
- Air Fryer Frozen Waffles
- Air Fryer Canned Biscuits
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Dinosaur Nuggets
Equipment
Ingredients
- 20 pieces Frozen dino nuggets ($3.95)
- ¼ cup Ketchup (or other dipping sauce) *optional
Instructions
- Place your nuggets in an even layer in the basket of your air fryer.
- 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!
Notes
Variations
- Microwave. Don't have an air fryer or want something a little faster? You can microwave your dino nuggets instead. Note that the results will be softer as they will not crisp up like they do in the air fryer.
- Microwave your nuggets 5 at a time on a microwave safe plate for about 1 ½- 2 minutes. Cool for 1-2 minutes before serving.
- Oven. If you want to cook up a large batch of nuggets at once you can arrange them all on a large baking sheet and cook in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 11 minutes. I recommend preheating the oven as you arrange the nuggets.
Recipe Tips
- You do not need to thaw these nuggets before using them. Cooking from frozen will yield the best results (and save on time!)
- 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.
Reheating
- If you have leftover cooked nuggets on hand, you can reheat them in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3-4 minutes or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes (depending on how many are on the plate).
Storage
- You can keep your frozen chicken nuggets in the freezer for up to 3 months (after that, they may become freezer burnt). Leftover chicken nuggets can be kept stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days. Reheat again before serving.
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