These Low-Carb Keto Paleo Baked Chicken Nuggets In The Air Fryer have an irresistible Asian twist!
My son is quite the picky eater. The boy will always turn his nose up at anything that looks remotely healthy, so the struggle is real. Of course, I never give up and ask that he at least try what’s on his plate (which he does, albeit with a grunt of disapproval), but there are times when I resort to sneaky tactics. Like calling green beans “dinosaur fries” or making healthy foods that actually look like fast food.
Take these air-fryer chicken nuggets, for example. Perfect for kids (or kids at heart who are watching their carbs), these tender morsels are delightfully crunchy with the addition of sesame seeds in the coating, and they pack tons of flavor with a hint of ginger added to the breading. The air fryer does what it does best here: keep the outside crispy and crunchy and the inside moist and juicy. The flavor-packed, Asian-inspired dip that goes with it not only adds an element of fun, but also tons of zippy, bright flavors. If my son has given these the stamp of approval, I can guarantee your family will, too!
Are These Low-Carb Keto Paleo Baked Chicken Nuggets Healthy?
These air-fryer nuggets are much healthier than most options you will find at the drive-thru window or even in your grocery store’s freezer aisle. Chicken is a great source of lean protein, while the sesame seeds and coconut flour in the coating add additional protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Even the dipping sauce is sugar-free, with the addition of monk fruit as a sweetener. The fact that they’re baked rather than deep-fried means this is a lower-fat option.
More Than Just Dippables
While chicken nuggets are practically made for dipping, there are other fun ways to serve them. One of my favorite ideas is to stuff them in hoagie buns slathered with mayonnaise and top them with the dip and some shredded lettuce. They’re also great in a wrap with mashed avocado, shredded carrots, and bean sprouts. My son even loves them in a grain bowl with quinoa, corn, bell peppers, and black beans, all drizzled with the dip.
Another fun idea is to skewer the nuggets with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil for a fun and colorful presentation.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
If stored in an airtight container, cooked nuggets can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. They can also be frozen in Ziploc bags for up to 3 months. Reheat the nuggets in the air fryer for 4-6 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit to restore crispiness.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve these with so many things! We ate them with Cauliflower Fried Rice, but some greens sautéed in ghee or coconut oil would be delicious, too. Great choices include Sautéed Broccolini and Sautéed Spinach. If you want to make a super kid-friendly dinner, I would go with some Cauliflower Tater Tots or Paleo Cauliflower Tater Tots!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound free-range boneless, skinless chicken breast
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 4 egg whites
- 6 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- Cooking spray of choice
For the dip:
- 2 tablespoons natural, creamy almond butter
- 4 teaspoons coconut aminos (or gluten-free soy sauce)
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sriracha or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon monk fruit (omit for Whole30)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.
- While the air fryer heats, cut the chicken into nuggets (about 1-inch pieces) dry them off, and place them in a bowl. Toss with salt and sesame oil until coated.
- Place the coconut flour and ground ginger in a large Ziploc bag and shake to combine. Add the chicken and shake until coated.
- Place the egg whites in a large bowl and add in the chicken nuggets, tossing until they are all well coated in the egg.
- Place the sesame seeds in a large Ziploc bag. Shake any excess egg off the chicken and add the nuggets into the bag; shake until well coated.
- Generously spray the mesh air-fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the nuggets into the basket, making sure to not crowd them or they won't get crispy. Spray with a touch of cooking spray.
- Cook for 6 minutes. Flip each nugget and spray with cooking spray. Then, cook an additional 5-6 minutes, until no longer pink inside.
- While the nuggets cook, whisk all the sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl until smooth.
- Serve the nuggets with the dip and enjoy!
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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