3 Ingredient Crispy Keto Nuggets Recipe
These 3 Ingredient Crispy Keto Nuggets are a simple, low-carb snack or meal option made with cooked chicken, Parmesan cheese, and eggs. They offer a crispy, golden exterior with a tender interior and can be baked or air fried to perfection, making them a quick and delicious protein-packed dish ideal for keto and low-carb lifestyles.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes (oven) or 10-12 minutes (air fryer)
- Total Time: 27-32 minutes
- Yield: 22 nuggets
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Carb, Keto
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 10 oz (283g) cooked chicken breast, tenderloin, or thigh meat
- 2 cups (190g) shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: If baking, preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. If air frying, grease the air fryer basket insert with cooking oil or line with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Ingredients: Add the cooked chicken, shredded Parmesan cheese, and eggs into a food processor. Pulse on high speed until the cheese is finely shredded, eggs are fully combined, and the mixture begins to clump together into large coarse crumbs, avoiding a paste-like consistency. This process should take less than 30 seconds.
- Form Nuggets: Using a 1.5 tablespoon scoop, portion out the mixture. Compress each portion between your palms a few times to help it hold its shape, then form into an oval nugget shape. Place the formed nuggets onto the prepared baking sheet or air fryer basket, spacing approximately 1 inch apart.
- Optional Oil Spray: Spray the surface of the nuggets lightly with a cooking oil spray. This step promotes even browning and crispiness.
- Cook Nuggets: For baking, place the nuggets in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Flip the nuggets halfway through baking and continue cooking an additional 5 minutes on the other side for even color and crispness. For air frying, preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and cook the nuggets for 10-12 minutes until golden and cooked through, flipping once and cooking an additional 1-2 minutes to crisp both sides.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken breast, tenderloin, or thigh meat for best results—leftover or rotisserie chicken works well.
- The texture after processing should be coarse and clumpy, not a smooth paste.
- If desired, adjust cooking times slightly based on your oven or air fryer model for optimal crispiness.
- Spraying oil is optional but helps to achieve a better crust.
- Serve these nuggets with keto-friendly dips such as ranch or sugar-free marinara sauce.