These Air Fryer Turkey Nuggets are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside! They are the perfect easy dinner or snack, and you can pair them with one of two different dipping sauces! See the step by step video down in the recipe card.
If there’s any meal that brings everyone to the table in record speed, it’s these crispy little turkey nuggets!
These Air Fryer Turkey Nuggets cook quickly, so they are perfect for a weeknight meal when you need an easy win with the kids (or the husband, or the girlfriend, or your mom…. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love these!).
We love our sauces and dips in this family, so I’ve included two recipes for dipping sauce options: a sweet and sour sauce (my personal favorite, and my 8 year old I’m sure would drink this from a cup!), and a honey mustard dipping sauce, which goes well with so many things.
Turkey nuggets are a tasty and easy to make snack or meal that both kids and adults love With just a few simple ingredients, you can make crispy, juicy turkey nuggets right in your own kitchen that rival any from a restaurant Read on to learn everything you need to know about how to make mouthwatering turkey nuggets at home.
Ingredients for Making Turkey Nuggets
The ingredients for homemade turkey nuggets are simple and affordable
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Ground turkey – This provides the base for the nuggets Use either white or dark ground turkey meat.
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Breadcrumbs – These help bind the turkey and also provide a crispy coating when fried. Panko breadcrumbs work best.
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Egg – An egg helps hold all the ingredients together. Use 1 beaten egg per pound of ground turkey.
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Milk or buttermilk – The milk adds moisture and flavor. Substitute in buttermilk if you want a tangier flavor.
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Seasonings – Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and any other spices help boost the flavor.
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Flour – All-purpose flour is used to help the breadcrumb coating stick.
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Oil – You can pan fry the nuggets in olive oil or vegetable oil.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making turkey nuggets only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. Follow these simple steps:
1. Combine the ground turkey and seasonings. Place the ground turkey in a large bowl. Add 1-2 teaspoons each of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and any other spices you want. Mix everything together well.
2. Add the breadcrumbs and egg. Measure out about 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs per pound of turkey and add it to the bowl. Crack the egg in and pour in 1-2 tablespoons of milk or buttermilk. Mix thoroughly.
3. Form the nugget mixture into balls. Use your hands to shape the turkey mixture into ping pong sized balls, around 1 inch across.
4. Coat the nuggets in flour. Pour some flour into a shallow bowl. Roll each turkey ball in the flour and shake off any excess. This helps the breadcrumbs stick later.
5. Dip the floured nuggets in egg wash. In another shallow bowl, beat together 1 egg and 1 tablespoon milk or water. Dip each floured turkey ball into the egg wash, coating all sides.
6. Roll the nuggets in breadcrumbs. Pour breadcrumbs into a third shallow bowl. Roll each egg-washed nugget in the crumbs to fully coat.
7. Fry the turkey nuggets. Heat 1⁄4 inch of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the breaded nuggets for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
8. Drain on paper towels and serve. Use paper towels to drain excess grease from the cooked nuggets. Serve hot with dipping sauces.
Cooking Tips
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Let the cooked nuggets rest for 5 minutes before serving for juicier meat.
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Double bread the nuggets for an extra crispy coating. Dip them in egg wash and breadcrumbs twice.
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Use an air fryer to make baked turkey nuggets with only a teaspoon of oil.
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Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.
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Substitute crushed crackers, potato flakes or cornflakes for the breadcrumbs.
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Brine the ground turkey for 1-2 hours before making nuggets for added moisture.
Serving Suggestions
There are endless options for serving your homemade turkey nuggets:
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Popular dipping sauces include ketchup, barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, honey mustard and buffalo sauce.
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Make turkey nugget sandwiches on buns with lettuce, tomato, cheese and condiments.
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Stuff the nuggets in pita breads with veggies and tzatziki sauce for a Greek twist.
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Pair with potato wedges, sweet potato fries or tater tots for an easy meal.
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Toss them into salads, wraps, tacos, subs or flatbreads for a protein boost.
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Serve nuggets and fries with milkshakes for a fun retro dinner.
Kids and adults alike will devour these crispy, tasty turkey nuggets straight from your own kitchen. Now that you know how to make them, you can skip the frozen bags and create homemade nuggets bursting with flavor anytime you want. Experiment with different seasonings and serving ideas to customize these moreish morsels to suit your own tastes. Your whole family will be asking for seconds and thirds of these delicious turkey nuggets.
The Chefman Air Fryer:
I’ve partnered with Chefman and Turkey Farmers of Canada to bring you this easy Turkey Nuggets recipe, made irresistibly crispy in the Chefman Air Fryer.
I love how it makes these homemade nuggets a quick and foolproof weeknight meal, and it leaves no temptation for buying store-bought nuggets ever again!
It’s true that you could make turkey nuggets in the oven, but they are nothing like air fryer turkey nuggets!
These little bites are so incredibly juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside, and they don’t dry out in the air fryer like they would in the oven.
What to serve with these Turkey Nuggets:
These air fryer Turkey Nuggets make a great simple meal, snack or appetizer on a large plate with a few different dipping options (included below!). Add a few fresh veggie slices for a quick, healthy lunch!
These nuggets also go well with these simple Roasted Potatoes and a big bowl of our favorite Broccoli Salad.
And of course, I’ll never say no to a big bowl of mashed potatoes topped with crispy chicken bites à la KFC.
How To Cook Turkey Nuggets | Wild Turkey Recipe
FAQ
Can you cut up a turkey and fry it?
Do you season a turkey before deep frying?
Are turkey nuggets better than chicken?
How to make turkey nuggets?
To make turkey nuggets, you will need: Instructions: 1. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. 2. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly combined. 3. Form the mixture into 1-inch balls. 4. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
How do you cook turkey nuggets in a frying pan?
When you are ready to fry, put enough oil in a large frying pan to come up about a finger’s worth (about 1/2 inch) and bring it to somewhere between 325F and 350F. Set a cooling rack over a baking sheet and put that in your oven. Set the oven to “warm.” Fry the turkey nuggets in batches so you don’t crowd the pan.
How long do you cook turkey nuggets in the oven?
Turn the oven to 250°F (or warm), and place a cooling rack on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Working in batches, drop the turkey nuggets into the heated oil. Give the oil a few minutes to reheat between batches. Fry the nuggets 4 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked to 165°F.
Can you fry turkey nuggets in oil?
Always use a high temp oil for frying (vegetable, canola, peanut, etc.). Do NOT use Olive oil for frying these and do not use butter. You’ll want to have a thermometer so that you don’t burn your turkey nuggets and so that the oil is hot enough to fry them appropriately.