Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

If you love homemade crispy chicken tenders but don't love the mess of frying then you will love this recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Tenders!

Enjoy these breaded chicken tenders as a dinner entree, atop a salad for a crunchy chicken salad, prep for a week of lunches or use in sandwiches! Super versatile, tender and delicious!

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Pair these Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with my Instant Pot Velveeta Mac & Cheese, Pressure Cooker Cheddar Mac & Cheese or my Garlic & White Cheddar Shells! If you prefer a baked mac and cheese, try this Baked Velveeta Mac and Cheese.

If you are new to using an air fryer, you might have some questions like:

• How long does it take to cook chicken tenders in the air fryer
• Can I cook raw chicken in the air fryer
• What air fryer settings should I use to make chicken tenders

Lucky for you, I love my air fryer and can guide you through making truly delicious chicken in the air fryer.

When it comes to air fryer settings, there are a lot of fancy models out there with lots of settings. I never use the presets. I just adjust for time and temp.

The air fryer that I have been using for 5 years now is this Cosori Air Fryer. I have tried a few others but this one has been my favorite and the one my family uses daily.

For this recipe I'm using 400 degrees F and I start with 8 minutes, flip and go about 8 minutes more.

Yes, you can cook raw (fresh) chicken in the air fryer. The air fryer IS also great for heating frozen chicken tenders too. My kids use ours on the daily for frozen snacks but this recipe is for fresh chicken tenders.

If you aren't sold on the whole air fryer then head on over and check out my chicken nugget recipe or my chicken cutlet recipe. Those are cooked more traditionally.

Instructions

Just like any recipe for breaded chicken, this one also starts with a breading station.

Using shallow bowls or similar, you'll place egg in one, flour in another and the breadcrumbs in the last.

TIP: You can actually use resealable bags for the flour and the breadcrumbs if you don't want to dirty up dishes. Or you could try these breading station pans.

Coat the chicken in this order: flour, egg and breadcrumbs.

Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and give it a little spray with olive oil, avocado oil or similar.

Halfway through the cook time, flip chicken over and spray the other side with the oil before continuing to cook.

Cooking Tip:  I have found that the combination of both Italian breadcrumbs & Panko crumbs results in the crunchiest, crispiest chicken.  You can use just one or the other but I really prefer the end result of using both.

Printable Recipe Card

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

foodyschmoody

If you crave the crispy crunchiness of a chicken tender but don't want the oil or calories that comes along with deep frying then this recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Tenders is for you.  Please adults and kids with these yummy tenders.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 16 minutes mins

Total Time 26 minutes mins

Course dinner, lunch

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 372 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 ½ pounds chicken tenders
• 2 eggs + splash of water lightly beaten
• ½ cup flour all purpose
• ½ cup Panko crumbs
• ½ cup Seasoned Italian breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• Black pepper few turns of a grinder
• Cooking spray or olive oil mist bottle

Instructions

 

• Create a breading station: egg mixture in one bowl, flour in another and combine both crumbs, salt, pepper and garlic powder in another. **See notes for breading station tip
• Toss chicken in flour mixture, shaking off excess, next in the egg mixture and finally in the breadcrumb mixture. Press breading onto chicken to be sure it's evenly and well coated.
• Place the breaded chicken in the air fryer basket, being sure not to over crowd. Spray the tops of the chicken with cooking spray or oil mist. Set air fryer to 400℉ and cook for 8 minutes. Flip chicken over, spray other side with oil or cooking spray and place back for another 8 minutes.
• As always, use a quick read thermometer to be sure your chicken is cooked properly. If need be, place back in air fryer in 2 minute increments. Serve warm.

Notes

Variations:

• Change up the seasonings: Add in onion powder, dry Italian seasoning or ranch seasoning.
• Add parmesan cheese into the breading 
• Toss in your favorite sauce when done: buffalo sauce, bbq sauce etc.

Nutrition

Calories: 372kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 44gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 191mgSodium: 775mgPotassium: 735mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 199IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 3mg

Keyword air fryer, chicken, healthy, lightened up, lower calorie, lower fat, lunch

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This Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe was inspired by Parmesan Chicken Tenders recipe by Kitchen Dreaming