Name: Air Fryer Dino Nuggets
Prep time: 1 min
Cook time: 9 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 8-10 dino nuggets (frozen); dipping sauce: ranch, bbq sauce, ketchup

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Make Air Fryer Dino Nuggets for the crispiest and crunchiest chicken nuggets! Cook dino nuggets in the air fryer to make a great dinner or lunch that is much healthier than using a deep fryer.

If you like using the air fryer to heat frozen foods then you are going to love this Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp and you can serve it with these Frozen Fries in the air fryer. We also make crunchy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks and dip them in marinara sauce.

An air fryer dino nugget being held above a plateful of chicken nuggets.

Dino Nuggets Air Fryer

How can you resist crunchy and crispy chicken nuggets? The easy answer is, you don’t. You eat them…all, or at least too many of them.

This family loves their nuggets and let me tell you, they can definitely eat their fair share of them. I know that homemade nuggets are the best and when I have time I like to make them myself.

But, sometimes all you have time for are pre-made frozen nuggets. That is why we make frozen dino nuggets in the air fryer. It’s so easy to store the chicken nuggets in the freezer and just grab them out when we need them, making a quick and easy snack or meal.

Dino Nuggets in Air Fryer

I have never been one to cook a bunch of different meals for my kids when they weren’t happy with dinner. It is frustrating though when they don’t want to eat. On days when I make them these nuggets, life is a little less stressful.

There isn’t a fight to try to get them to eat and it lifts a little weight off. Especially these frozen nuggets, they love the dinosaur shapes. Who wouldn’t love a dinosaur shaped nugget?

Frozen Dinosaur Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer

I’ve made frozen dino chicken nuggets in the microwave before when I just need them done quickly. Let’s just say it’s not my favorite way to make them, but I did included directions for that below.

When you make dino nuggets in air fryer they come out with crisp, browned edges and a perfectly crunchy bite. The chicken breast inside stays tender and juicy.

An above view of a plate of air fryer dino nuggets and dip.

What are Dino Nuggets?

Dino nuggets are chicken nuggets that are in the shapes of dinosaurs. It’s a great way for kids to have fun eating. They can eat with their hands, leading those little dinosaurs to ponds of bbq sauce. Dunk their little heads in and taking a big bite. This is a great chicken nugget recipe for those picky eaters.

Are Dino Nuggets Healthy (Yummy dino buddies healthy)?

Dinosaur nuggets are breaded and them deep fried, so this makes them not exactly healthy. For the healthiest version of dino nuggets, try to buy a brand that has the nuggets made from chicken breast meat because it is leaner.

Can I Cook Yummy Dino Buddies in Air Fryer?

Yes, Yummy dino nuggets can be made right in the air fryer! Just put them directly into the air fryer, no need to thaw the nuggets. You can cook any frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer. We also really like Tyson dino nuggets in the air fryer.

An air fryer dino nugget being dunked into dipping sauce.

Dino Nuggets Brands

We have our favorite brands of frozen dino nuggets, but they are all good. Here are a few different options of frozen dino nuggets out there for you to try.

Yummy Dino Buddies (comes in different types like original dinosaur shaped, whole grain, gluten-free, alphabet shaped, chicken & veggie, meatless plant based, and meatless veggie nuggets).
Tyson Fun Nuggets Dinosaur Chicken Nuggets (Tyson dino chicken nuggets).
Perdue Panko Breaded Dino Nuggets.
K&N Frozen Nuggets
Kirkwood Dinosaur Shaped Chicken Nuggets
John Soules Foods Dino Nuggets
Wellshire Chicken Dino Bites

Why Make Tyson Dino Nuggets in the Air Fryer?

There are many reasons to cook Tyson air fried chicken nuggets. Here is why we think you should try them out!

Easy and tasty meal. Your family will love these and they are simple to make.
Quick cooking. The food will be ready in no time.
Extra crispy in the air fryer. The air fryer makes things extra crispy (waaaay crispier than the microwave).
Healthier than deep frying. Heating up frozen nuggets in the air fryer is much healthier than deep frying them in oil.
Doesn’t heat up the house. The house stays nice and cool, no hot oven in the kitchen.
Great for picky eaters. You can get even the pickiest eaters to eat these nuggets.

Air fryer dino nuggets in the air fryer.

Dipping Sauce for Dino Nuggets

It’s fun to add a dipping sauce to serve with chicken nuggets. My kids HAVE to have some kind of dip with them.

BBQ Sauce
Homemade Chick fil a sauce
Marinara sauce
Magical aioli
Hot sauce
Creamy Chipotle Mayo
Buffalo sauce
Honey mustard

What to Serve With Dino Chicken Nuggets, Best Sides?

I like making these dino nuggets for a snack, lunch or dinner. To get some veggies in there I like to serve them with air fryer squash and zucchini, roasted asparagus, sweet potatoes, carrots, or even just a side salad. Or eat them with some cut up fruit.

Dino Nuggets Air Fryer Ingredients

Dino Nuggets: You can use dino nuggets (I’ve listed a few brands that we like). You can even use this recipe for regular frozen chicken nuggets or meatless nuggets (we love Quorn nuggets in air fryer).
Dip: Serve the nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce. There is a list above of some ideas. Dip is optional.

All of the ingredients needed to make air fryer dino nuggets.

How to Cook Dino Nuggets in Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer.
Carefully add frozen dino chicken nuggets into the air fryer.
Cook nuggets, flipping them over halfway through cooking time.
Let them cool a little before enjoying them with some dip.

Step by step instructions to make air fryer dino nuggets.

Dino Nuggets Baked in an Oven

If you don’t have an air fryer, that is okay. Here are the instructions on how to bake dino nuggets in the oven.

Preheat a conventional oven to 350°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and add frozen nuggets spacing them out a bit so they aren’t touching.
Heat the nuggets for 9-11 minutes, until golden brown.

Microwave Dino Nuggets

If all you have is a microwave and no air fryer use this to heat dino nuggets in the microwave.

Place the dino nuggets on a plate that is microwave safe.
Heat on high.
- 5 Nuggets will cook for 1 – 1 1/2 minutes
- 10 Nuggets will cook for 2-2 1/2 minutes
- 15 Nuggets will cook for 2 1/2 – 3 minutes.

Air Fried Dino Nugget Tips and Variations

Do not thaw. Nuggets do not need to be thawed before cooking them in the air fryer.
Space out nuggets. Make sure not to lay nuggets on top of each other or stack them. You want them in an even layer with a little space between them. I can fit about 12 in my air fryer.
Check on food. If you are unsure on how the food is cooking, feel welcome to open the air fryer to check on the dino nuggets at any time.
May need more or less time. All air fryers like the Cosori, Actuary, Breville, Nuwave, Ninja Foodi, Pampered Chef, Caloric Instant Pot Vortex, Cosori, Breville, and other air fryer brands cook differently so the dino nuggets may need to cook a little less or a little longer. Add or subtract 1 minute at a time. I use the Cosori 5.8 quart basket style air fryer.
No oil needed. You do not need to add any additional oil to these dinosaur nuggets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dino nuggets be reheated? Chicken nuggets that have already been heated in the air fryer can be refrigerated and then re-heated again. Directions are below in storage instructions.

How do you cook dino nuggets in an air fryer? It’s so easy to make this quick snack. Just throw the frozen nuggets into the air fryer.

How long do you cook frozen dino nuggets? The length of time is dependent on your air fryer. They will need to cook about 10 minutes.

Are dino nuggets made with real chicken? The chicken nuggets I like to get are made with real chicken breast meat. Just make sure you check the label for what kind of chicken parts are being used.

How long do you cook Tyson chicken nuggets in an air fryer? Tyson dino nuggets will air fry for around 8-10 minutes, but it may depend on your air fryer.

Why are dino nuggets so good? When you get good quality dino nuggets, they are so good. Kids and adults both love dino nuggets and the shape is so fun.

Storage Instructions

How to refrigerate air fryer chicken nuggets? Let the nuggets cool and put in an air tight container. It should last about 2-3 days in the fridge.

How do you reheat cooked dino nuggets in an air fryer? Pre-heat the air fryer to 350° F. Heat nuggets for 3-4 minutes. Keep a close eye on it so that it doesn’t burn.

A dino chicken nugget that has been dipped into bbq sauce.

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