Step by step
- 1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (205°C) for 2–3 minutes.
- 2. Single layer. Arrange without crowding — air needs to reach every side.
- 3. Cook 10–12 minutes. Shake the basket or flip at the halfway mark.
- 4. Check doneness. Confirm 165°F (75°C) at the thickest part with a thermometer.
The tip that matters
For extra-crispy nuggets, add 1–2 minutes rather than raising the temperature.
Times vary — here's why
Air fryers differ in wattage and basket size, so treat 10–12 minutes as a range, not a promise: check early the first time, then note what your machine needed. Quantity matters too — a full basket can add 2–3 minutes, and anything stacked will steam instead of crisp. Converting your own oven recipe instead? Use our air fryer conversion calculator.
More frozen foods
Frozen French Fries · Frozen Chicken Tenders · Tater Tots — or see the full air fryer cooking times chart.