With the excitement of Bluesfest in Ottawa in the air, I'm gearing up for an incredible outdoor festival experience with my toddler. As we prepare for the festivities, I can't help but plan ahead to ensure we have everything we need, including delicious treats for my little one. In this guide, I'll share a fantastic air fryer chicken nuggets recipe, perfect for enjoying before we head out to Bluesfest plus a quick must-have packing list. Having something on hand that my baby loves is a must, as it ensures he stays happy and content even amidst the festival buzz, long lines, and endless food options. Whether it's the last day of Bluesfest or the start of the summer festival season ahead, these tips will remain valuable for making the most of our festival adventures.
As we get ready to groove to the music and have a blast at Bluesfest, I'm whipping up a mouthwatering treat that my toddler absolutely adores: gluten-free air fryer chicken nuggets. Made with wholesome chicken breast meat and marinated to perfection, these nuggets are a hit for both kids and adults. The best part is that they are easy to make in the air fryer, eliminating the need for deep frying. Whether it's a quick snack at home or a delightful pre-festival treat, these chicken nuggets never disappoint. Let's dive into the recipe:
The Ingredients
I used chicken breast for these, but feel free to use chicken thighs if you prefer that cut. Skinless is ideal here. I really like this marinade for the chicken nuggets. It’s fairly straightforward and you should have everything in your pantry for them. To make them gluten free I used gluten free all purpose flour, plus corn starch to keep them extra crisp. If you don’t need them to be gluten free, still use a combination of all purpose flour and corn starch. A quick note, gluten free flour doesn’t brown as much as regular flour, but they will still get crispy!
chicken
vegetable oil
salt
brown sugar
soy sauce
poultry seasoning
garlic powder
green onion
flour
corn starch
baking soda
something for dipping
Coating the Chicken Nuggets with Batter
In preparation for the exciting day at Bluesfest, I'm cutting the chicken into even-sized pieces and marinating them with all the flavorful ingredients. Using a convenient freezer bag, this step is a breeze and minimizes cleanup. As we head out to the festival, I'll keep the marinated chicken in the freezer bag inside the freezer, ensuring they stay cool and ready to be cooked when we return. For the flour coating, I'll pack it separately in another freezer bag, making it easy to coat the nuggets right before cooking.
Air Crisp the Nuggets
Before we head to Bluesfest, I'll be air crisping the marinated and coated nuggets in my trusty Ninja Foodi. Once they turn beautifully golden and crisp, I'll have a delightful treat ready for my toddler to munch on before we hit the festival grounds. I might even prepare a delightful dip and some green onions to garnish, adding an extra touch of deliciousness to our pre-festival celebration.
Part 2: Packing Tips for Bluesfest with My Toddler
As we gear up for Bluesfest in Ottawa, I'm making sure we're well-prepared for a fun and comfortable experience with my toddler. Here are some essentials that will go into our festival bag:
Comfortable Stroller: A sturdy and comfortable stroller for my little one to rest and nap during the festival.
Hydration and Snacks: Plenty of water, healthy snacks, and a sippy cup for my toddler to stay nourished and hydrated throughout the day.
Festival Treats: Along with the festival food options, I'll have the homemade air fryer chicken nuggets packed and ready. Having something my baby loves ensures he stays content, especially when there are long lines and plenty of distractions at the event.
Sun Protection: Sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses to shield us from the sun while we enjoy the music.
Comfortable Clothing: Weather-appropriate clothing and layers to keep my little one cozy throughout the festival.
Picnic Blanket: A cozy picnic blanket to relax on while we enjoy our delectable air fryer chicken nuggets before heading to Bluesfest.
Baby Essentials: Wet wipes, hand sanitizer, and any other baby essentials for quick clean-ups and diaper changes.
With the delectable air fryer chicken nuggets ready to go and our festival bag packed with essentials, we're all set for an amazing time at Bluesfest in Ottawa. I can't wait to see my toddler's face light up as we enjoy these delightful nuggets before we immerse ourselves in the music and festivities. Whether it's the last day of Bluesfest or the start of the summer festival season ahead, these tips will remain valuable for making the most of our festival adventures. Let the good times roll at Bluesfest!/
Crispy Chicken Nuggets
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Servings: 2 big servings
Equipment
Ninja Foodi
Freezer bag
cooking oil spray
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breast cut into 1½" cubes
Marinade
2 tbsp vegetable oil
½ tsp salt
1 tsp brown sugar
2 tsp soy sauce sub with tamari for gluten free
½ tbsp poultry seasoning
¼ tsp garlic powder
Coating
⅓ cup gluten free all purpose flour or use regular
⅓ cup corn starch or arrowroot starch
½ tsp baking soda
Dip Suggestions
honey garlic
ketchup
hot sauce
1 green onion sliced for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Mix together marinade ingredients and carefully pour into a large freezer bag. Add chicken and cover and carefully expell any excess air as you seal it.
Flatten all of the chicken pieces so that they're in one layer. Freeze for 5 minutes while you prep the rest of the recipe.
Mix together coating ingredients and place in another large freezer bag.
Preheat air fryer to 400F.
Remove chicken from freezer. It shouldn't be completely frozen but just barely firm to aid in the coating.
Remove chicken from the marinade bag and place it in the bag with the coating. Shake to coat the chicken evenly.
Place the chicken on the Ninja Foodi air crisp trivet sprayed with cooking oil.
Place chicken one piece at a time on the trivet making sure to not pile them one on top of the other. Spray generously with cooking oil spray.
Air crisp for 5 minutes. Flip and spray generously making sure no part of the chicken nugget has any visible white flour.
Air crisp for 5 more minutes or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165F.
Remove from the Ninja foodi and garnish with green onions. Serve with your favourite dip.
