Can you reheat McDonalds nuggets (AKA chicken McNuggets or chicken nuggets)? Absolutely! Learn how to reheat McDonalds chicken nuggets in the air fryer- it only takes 3 minutes! Air frying is the best way to reheat McDonalds nuggets so they taste fresh. This simple air fryer recipe will turn old McDonalds Chicken McNuggets crispy and warm. Make the most of your leftover chicken nuggets by learning how to reheat chicken nuggets!

Reheating McDonalds nuggets is not what one would consider a health food recipe. Most fast food nuggets are a fried food, Golden Arches nuggets included. This how-to recipe is more of a suggestion to help you save money and prevent food waste.

When you reheat McDonalds McNuggets in the microwave, they can end up with a rubbery texture. Oven baking leftover nuggets takes too long. And eating cold McDonalds nuggets is just no good in terms of taste.

I’m going to show you how to heat up McDonalds nuggets the right way. They’ll be piping hot with a crisp coating, while still remaining moist inside. We’re going to reheat chicken nuggets in the air fryer.

Get your sweet and sour sauce or your favorite McDonald’s dip ready. Your nuggets will be heated up faster than you can say Big Mac. Haha

BTW, these directions should work with other fast food chicken nuggets, such as the Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets. Feel free to add more air frying time if bigger chicken pieces aren’t warmed to your liking.

Tip! The nuggets at American McDonald’s have lots of oil in the batter. If your fastfood nuggets aren’t as oily, spray them with a little cooking spray before following the directions below.

⭐ Reheat McDonalds Nuggets in Air Fryer Benefits

This may come as a surprise, but McDonald’s chicken nuggets in America are slightly higher in net carbs than protein. Also, about half the calories in Chicken McNuggets come from fat because they are fried. I can’t say chicken nuggets are the best choice if you’re looking for protein.

You know I’ll discuss anything here (including foods Americans love that are packed with white flour and added fat). Though I don’t love nuggets from a nutritional standpoint, there are some advantages I see to reheating McDonald’s nuggets:

• Crispy Nuggets: One of the reasons people don’t cook for themselves is they lack self-efficacy, or confidence in the kitchen. I hope this simple little recipe to crisp up chicken nuggets helps you feel like a cooking champ. (Now that you’re a kitchen boss, why not try some of my other air fryer recipes?)
• Reduce food waste: It sucks to pay good money for food just to throw it out later. Save those dollar bills and use up those leftovers, people! Learning to reheat your food properly can help keep it out of the trash.
• Fast: You can reheat McDonalds nuggets in the air fryer in only 3-4 minutes. You don’t need to preheat the air fryer or do any food prepping. It’s so dang easy.
• Kid favorite: I get that parents buy McDonald’s Happy Meal because it’s what their picky eaters will eat. And then sometimes the kids won’t eat it, and they don’t want the leftover nuggets either. Frustrating! This recipe will help this childhood favorite stay fresh-tasting so your money isn’t going down the drain. (Don’t forget to serve them with a dip.)

🥘 Reheat McDonalds Nuggets in Air Fryer Ingredients

What do you need to reheat McDonald’s nuggets in the air fryer? Here’s what I used:

• One box of McDonald’s nuggets

I tested these directions with a 4-piece chicken McNugget. There was plenty of room on the tray if you have a larger batch of nuggets to air fry.

The nuggets contain plenty of oil, there’s no need to use cooking oil spray before air frying. Far more calories actually come from oil in McDonalds nuggets than protein!

Here’s what you’re getting in McDonald’s chicken nuggets (information subject to change):

• White Boneless Chicken
• Water
• Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil, Corn Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil)
• Enriched Flour
• Bleached Wheat Flour
• Yellow Corn Flour
• Vegetable Starch (Modified Corn, Wheat, Rice, Pea, Corn)
• Salt
• Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Calcium Lactate, Monocalcium Phosphate)
• Spices
• Yeast Extract
• Lemon Juice Solids
• Dextrose
• Natural Flavors

It’s quite a list! If you’re interested, this air fryer frozen chicken nuggets recipe has info on choosing a healthier chicken nugget.

By the way, did you know that McDonalds nuggets only come in four shapes? They are the ball, the bell, the bone (AKA the bow-tie), and the boot. McD’s says the standardized shapes help ensure consistent cooking times for food safety.

Pictured above (clockwise, from top left): a ball, a bone, and two bells. If you get one of each shape in your 4-piece nuggets, you win a prize. (Kidding! But that would be fun, wouldn’t it?)

🍽 Equipment

The only piece of kitchen equipment you need to air fry leftover McDonalds nuggets is an air fryer. The Ninja Foodi, Philips, Instant Pot Vortex, Cosori, Nuwave, Breville, or whatever brand you have can reheat nuggets. I use the 10-Quart Kalorik Digital Air Fryer Oven.

🔪 How to Reheat McDonalds Nuggets in an Air Fryer

Let’s learn how to reheat McD nuggets! Remove the nuggets from the box and put them in a single layer in your air fryer basket or tray. They fit easily on one tray.

If using an air fryer oven, put the tray in the top rack position. Remember, you don’t need any cooking spray for this recipe.

️⏲️ McDonalds Nuggets Air Fryer Cooking Time and Temperature

How long to reheat McDonalds nuggets in an air fryer? What temp to reheat McDonalds chicken nuggets in an air fryer? It takes 3-4 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200C) to air fry leftover McDonald’s nuggets.

Fast food chicken nuggets are best reheated the same day. The crispy coating becomes unpleasantly hard if they sit out too long.

Also, don’t try to reheat already reheated McDonald’s nuggets. This air fryer hack only works well once.

👪 Sides for McDonald’s Nuggets

If you’re reheating McDonalds nuggets at home, you’ll need to add more to your meal! You’re getting a lot of starch and fat here and some protein. I’d definitely add some veggies to complete the meal.

Here are some of my favorite easy side dishes to serve with McDonalds nuggets:

• Air Fryer Frozen Vegetables
• Air Fryer Jicama Fries
• Cabbage Wedges in Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Baby Carrots

FAQs

How to long do you heat up chicken nuggets in the microwave?

To reheat McDonalds nuggets in the microwave, put them on a microwave-safe plate and cook for 30 seconds. Let the nuggets sit for 30 seconds to firm up and check on them. If they are not warmed to your liking, continue to microwave, checking in 30 second intervals until they are done.

How to reheat McDonalds nuggets in toaster oven?

You can reheat cold chicken nuggets in the oven and the toaster oven. Simply preheat the oven to 350F (177C) and bake the nuggets on a baking tray for 10 minutes. You can also pan fry leftover nuggets in a little oil on the stovetop for a couple of minutes.

If I leave McDonald’s chicken nuggets on the counter overnight can I still eat them?

McDonalds nuggets that have been left out on the counter for more than two hours should be thrown in the trash. Eating perishable foods that are left in the food safety temperature “danger zone” (40-140F/4-60C) for more than two hours increases your risk of food poisoning.

Are McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets healthy?

Are McDonald’s chicken nuggets bad for you? “Healthy” always depends on what your individual needs are. In terms of general health advice, I’d say that there are more nutrient-dense and satisfying foods out there. That said, if you’re battling an eating disorder and McNuggets are a challenge food for you, they might be what is healthy for you right now.

Is reheating fast food healthy?

Reheating fast food leftovers will generally help them to taste better. However, the reheating process doesn’t add nutritional value to the food or make it healthier. Most McDonald’s fast-food options are not the best choice nutritionally.

👨‍🍳 Other Reheating Fast Food Recipes

Are you looking for more ideas for reheating fast food in the air fryer? I’ve got you! Don’t miss these:

• Reheat Pizza in Air Fryer
• Reheat McDonalds Fries

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