McDonalds Copycat Chicken Nuggets & Fries (In the Airfryer + Macro-Friendly)

These McDonalds Chicken Nuggets & Fries are the ultimate fakeaway meal — super easy, macro-friendly, and full of nostalgic fast food flavour. We’re skipping the deep-frying and using real chicken, a crispy protein coating, and an airfryer to get the crunch.

Because sometimes you just want Macca’s… but make it healthy.

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Why You’ll love this McDonalds Copycat Chicken Nuggets & Fries Recipe

• Uses real chicken breast
• Super crispy, without deep frying
• High protein, thanks to a clever crispy coating (more on that below)
• Macro-friendly and low in calories
• Airfryer & oven-friendly

Ingredients for McDonalds Copycat Chicken Nuggets & Fries

For the Nuggets:

• 325g chicken breast
• 1/2 tbsp yellow mustard (or 1/2 tsp mustard powder)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic and onion powder
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1 egg mixed with a dash of water
• Olive oil spray

For the Crispy Coating:

• 15g Soy OR Whey Protein Crisps- Can sub for flour or breadcrumbs
• 30g all purpose or cake flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic and onion powder
• 1/2 tsp mustard powder
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp celery salt

For the Fries:

• 500g white potato, cut into thin fries
• 1/2 tsp olive oil
• salt

Macros for McDonalds Copycat Chicken Nuggets & Fries

Per serve (2)– Each serve is 8 nuggets and a large side of fries:

Calories: 490

Carbs: 52g

Protein: 49g

Fat: 7g

Cooking Tips for the Crispiest Chicken Nuggets

Crush your protein crisps finely: You want a good crumb texture — too chunky and it won’t stick well; I pulse mine in a food processor

Double coating = extra crunch: Dip your chicken in the flour mix → egg → flour mix again to give an extra layer of crunch. Just a second dip is enough — it helps lock in moisture and makes the outside crispier.

Don’t overcrowd the airfryer: Give each nugget space to breathe. If they’re too close, they’ll steam instead of crisp. Cook in batches if needed.

Use cooking spray: A light mist of spray before and halfway through airfrying gives that “just fried” finish without any oil bath.

Flip halfway: Flip your nuggets halfway through to get an even cook and that even golden brown on all sides.

Cooking Tips for the Crispiest Fries

Soak the fries for max crispiness: Soak your sliced potatoes in cold water for 15–30 minutes (I put them in the fridge) to remove excess starch.

Dry them properly:
Whether you soak or microwave, make sure to pat your fries dry with paper towel before adding oil and airfrying. Too much moisture creates steam which = sogginess.

Microwave for a head start: Microwave the sliced potatoes for 5-8 minutes before airfrying. It softens the inside so they crisp faster and more evenly in the airfryer.

Use a bit of oil: Just 1/2 tsp of olive oil or a quick spray helps them brown and go crispy.

Shake the basket halfway: It helps them cook evenly and gets that golden fry finish on all sides.

How to Store & Freeze Leftovers

Fridge:

Store leftover nuggets and fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Reheat in the airfryer for 3–5 minutes at 180°C to bring them back to life — they’ll get nice and crispy again. (Microwaving works, but you’ll lose the crunch.)

Freezer (Chicken Nuggets only):

Want to batch prep? These nuggets freeze so well.

Here’s how:

1. Let them cool completely after airfrying.
2. Lay them out on a lined tray and pop in the freezer for about 1 hour to flash-freeze.
3. Once frozen, transfer to a ziplock bag or airtight container.

• They’ll keep well for up to 2 months.
• To reheat from frozen: Airfry at 180°C for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway. No need to thaw!

OR Freeze before airfrying:

1. Prep and Bread the nuggets as usual
2. freeze raw on a tray before storing in a bag.
3. Cook straight from frozen — just add 3–4 minutes to the airfryer time.

FAQ

Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free flour or corn or tapioca starch + protein crisps.

Can I bake them instead of airfrying?
Yep — bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20–25 mins, flipping halfway, until crispy and cooked.

Can I meal prep these?
100%. Reheat in the airfryer for 3–5 minutes for that just-cooked crispiness.

Can I cook the fries and nuggets together in the airfryer?
You can, but for the crispiest results, I recommend cooking them separately. They need room to crisp up properly, and the fries usually take a bit longer.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?
Yes! Thighs are juicier and work great here — although the macros and calories will be affected.

Pair With My Homemade Healthy Sweet & Sour Sauce!

Healthy Sweet & Sour Sauce (Lower Calorie McDonalds Copycat)