Ready & Packaged Foods
All →Vegetables & Legumes
All →Desserts & Confectionery
All →Meat & Protein
All →Grains & Bakery
All →Beverages
All →Milk & Dairy
All →
Air fried chicken nuggets Calories
Crispy processed chicken bites with moderate protein and typically less fat than deep-fried nuggets.
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
Quick answer
5 piece (medium) of Air fried chicken nuggets (85 g) has 170 calories. That works out to 200 calories per 100 g. It contains 9.9 g of carbs, 17 g of protein, 9.2 g of fat and 0 g of fiber. Its 4.1 mg of B3 covers 26% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 46 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Air fried chicken nuggets Nutrition Facts
Selected: 5 piece (medium) · 85 g
170
KCAL / 85G
Carbs
9.9g
· 4% DV
Protein
17g
· 34% DV
Fat
9.2g
· 12% DV
Fiber
0g
· 0% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 21% · Protein 36% · Fat 43%
Air fried chicken nuggets nutrition facts table · 5 piece (medium) (85 g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 170 kcal | |
| Total fat | 9.2 g | 12% |
| Saturated fat | 2.64 g | 13% |
| Trans fat | 0.05 g | |
| Sodium | 476 mg | 21% |
| Total carbohydrate | 9.9 g | 4% |
| Fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Protein | 17 g | 34% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
Log this food in EatBetter
100,000+ people use it
- Get your daily calorie target
- Snap your meal, log it in seconds
- See every vitamin and mineral
📸 Scan the code to get the app free.
How Many Calories in 5 Pieces of Air fried chicken nuggets?
| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 5 piece (medium) | 85 g | 170 kcal |
| 3 piece (small) | 50 g | 100 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 200 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 100 g | 200 kcal |
| 8 piece (large) | 135 g | 270 kcal |
| 1 cup (whole) | 140 g | 280 kcal |
| 10 piece (extra large) | 170 g | 340 kcal |
| 6 ounce (whole) | 170 g | 340 kcal |
| 1 pack (whole) | 250 g | 500 kcal |
Calculated from 200 calories per 100 g.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air fried chicken nuggets
Can you cook air fried chicken nuggets straight from frozen?
Yes, most frozen air fried chicken nuggets can go straight into the air fryer without thawing. Arrange them in a single layer and follow the package directions for frozen nuggets; thawing first can make the coating soggy.
How do you keep air fried chicken nuggets crispy?
For crisp air fried chicken nuggets, leave space between pieces so hot air can circulate, and turn them partway through cooking. Crowding the basket traps steam and softens the coating; cook in batches if needed.
Do air fried chicken nuggets need oil?
No, air fried chicken nuggets usually cook without added oil because the coating already contains some fat. A light spray can encourage browning, but pouring oil into the basket is unnecessary and can make the coating greasy.
How can you tell when air fried chicken nuggets are cooked through?
Air fried chicken nuggets should be piping hot inside. If they contain raw chicken, check that the center reaches 74°C (165°F) with a food thermometer; don’t assume a nugget is precooked just because its coating is browned.
Can you reheat air fried chicken nuggets in an air fryer?
Yes, an air fryer reheats leftover chicken nuggets while helping the coating regain its crunch. Arrange them in one layer and heat until hot throughout; microwaving is quicker but usually leaves the breading softer.
Are air fried chicken nuggets healthier than deep-fried nuggets?
Air frying generally uses less added oil than deep-frying, but it doesn’t change the fact that most packaged chicken nuggets are ultra-processed. Pair them with vegetables, and compare products if you want to choose one with less sodium.
How long do cooked air fried chicken nuggets last in the fridge?
Cooked air fried chicken nuggets keep for 3–4 days in a covered container in the refrigerator. Refrigerate them within two hours of cooking, and reheat leftovers until hot throughout rather than leaving them at room temperature.
Can you make air fried chicken nuggets from scratch?
Yes, cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, coat them in beaten egg and breadcrumbs, and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer. Cook until the centers reach 74°C (165°F), and wash anything that touched raw chicken.
What can you serve with air fried chicken nuggets?
Air fried chicken nuggets go well with a green salad, roasted vegetables, or corn, plus a dipping sauce such as yogurt or mustard. Adding a vegetable side makes the meal more varied than serving nuggets with fries alone.
Why are my air fried chicken nuggets soggy?
Air fried chicken nuggets often turn soggy when the basket is overcrowded, the nuggets are thawed and wet, or they are stacked before serving. Cook them in a single layer and let excess moisture escape instead of piling them up.
Air fried chicken nuggets Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins
B3
4.08mg · 26% DV
Biotin
4.25µg · 14% DV
B6
0.24mg · 14% DV
B5
0.6mg · 12% DV
Minerals
Selenium
14µg · 25% DV
Phosphorus
153mg · 22% DV
Sodium
476mg · 21% DV
Zinc
0.77mg · 7% DV
Potassium ⭐
204mg · 6% DV
Air fried chicken nuggets Glycemic Index
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
How to Burn Off Air fried chicken nuggets
To burn the 170 calories in 5 piece (medium) (85 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
What is Air fried chicken nuggets?
Air fried chicken nuggets are bite-sized pieces of chicken coated in seasoned crumbs and cooked in an air fryer. Nuggets became widely popular through American fast-food culture, and they’re now an easy home meal too, whether made from scratch or from a ready-made product. The coating turns crisp and golden while the chicken stays tender; air frying generally calls for less added oil than deep-frying.
They’re commonly served as a quick lunch, casual dinner or snack, often with fries, a salad and a dipping sauce. Their protein makes them a filling option, while pairing them with vegetables rather than only fries can make the meal feel lighter and more rounded.
How Nutritious Is Air fried chicken nuggets?
Nutrient density
Low
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Satiety score
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
Is Air fried chicken nuggets Processed?
NOVA 4
Ultra-Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Does Air fried chicken nuggets Contain Allergens?
Contains these allergens:
Which Diets Is Air fried chicken nuggets Good For?
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
— Not suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
— Not suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
Air fried chicken nuggets Fat Profile
SATURATED
2.64g
MONOUNSATURATED
4.42g
POLYUNSATURATED
2.55g
Omega 6:3 ratio 79.3:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (79.3:1).
Compare Air fried chicken nuggets
Foods Similar to Air fried chicken nuggets
Have another question about Air fried chicken nuggets?
Ask the AI nutrition coach — calories, portions, alternatives and more, answered in seconds in the app.
Scan calories with your camera
Instant AI nutrition analysis
Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.