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.
Jump to:
⭐ 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.)
🥘 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.
️⏲️ 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
💭 Expert Tips from a Dietitian
This is a level 3 recipe (weight maintenance and active lifestyles). McDonalds nuggets are fried food and ultra-processed. Here’s a recipe for air fryer breaded chicken if you want a healthier homemade option.
If you’re good at moderating foods you crave, I recommend getting the smallest serving of nuggets possible to satisfy the craving. Then fill the rest of your meal with more nutritious options.
A nice thing about learning to reheat McDonalds food is you won’t feel you have to eat it all at once. It might be easier to portion control if you know the leftovers will still be delicious later.
Here’s the nutritional breakdown (at the time of writing) for McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets in the US:
| Size | Calories | Net Carbs (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 piece nuggets | 170 | 10 | 9 |
| 6 piece nuggets | 250 | 14 | 14 |
| 10 piece nuggets | 420 | 24 | 23 |
| 20 piece nuggets | 830 | 49 | 46 |
| 40 piece nuggets | 1660 | 98 | 92 |
And here’s the nutrition info for McDonald’s dipping sauces in the US:
| Type | Calories | Net Carbs (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tangy Barbeque Sauce | 45 | 11 | 0 |
| Spicy Buffalo Sauce | 30 | 1 | 0 |
| Creamy Ranch | 110 | 1 | 0 |
| Honey | 50 | 12 | 0 |
| Hot Mustard Sauce | 50 | 7 | 1 |
| Sweet N Sour Sauce | 50 | 11 | 0 |
Spicy Buffalo sauce (plus regular mustard and ketchup) are the lowest calorie dips at McDonald’s. The ranch dip is highest.
Before creating this post, I don’t think I’ve had a McDonald’s chicken nugget in decades. If you want to lose weight, before trying a special diet, I highly recommend giving up fast food first.
McDonald’s nuggets are not low carb, keto, Paleo, gluten free, vegetarian, or vegan, so you’ll be giving them up anyway. Dropping a fast food habit may be enough to start seeing positive changes.
FAQs
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.
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.
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 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.
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:
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The Disclaimer…
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be wildly inaccurate, so please don't sweat the numbers too much.
For more information on how the three recipe levels may help with a weight management goal, refer to my overnight oats no sugar post. Let's get cooking!
📖 Recipe
How to Reheat McDonalds Chicken Nuggets
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 serving leftover McDonalds chicken nuggets
- dipping sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Remove the leftover nuggets from the box and put them in a single layer on your air fryer tray or basket. Put the tray with the nuggets in the top rack position if using an air fryer oven.
- Air fry nuggets for 3-4 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Serve with dipping sauce (if desired).
Video
Notes
| Size | Calories | Net Carbs (g) | Protein (g) |
| 4 piece nuggets | 170 | 10 | 9 |
| 6 piece nuggets | 250 | 14 | 14 |
| 10 piece nuggets | 420 | 24 | 23 |
| 20 piece nuggets | 830 | 49 | 46 |
| 40 piece nuggets | 1660 | 98 | 92 |
| Type | Calories | Net Carbs (g) | Protein (g) |
| Tangy Barbeque Sauce | 45 | 11 | 0 |
| Spicy Buffalo Sauce | 30 | 1 | 0 |
| Creamy Ranch | 110 | 1 | 0 |
| Honey | 50 | 12 | 0 |
| Hot Mustard Sauce | 50 | 7 | 1 |
| Sweet N Sour Sauce | 50 | 11 | 0 |
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