Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Say bye-bye to grease with these Air Fryer Chicken Tenders! Made with a simple dredge, these tenders are just as crispy as their deep-fried counterparts. They’re bound to be a hit at your table for kids and adults alike.

Who else genuinely thinks about ordering themselves chicken tenders off the kids’ menu when they’re out at a restaurant? I can never bring myself to actually order them, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t cross my mind every time I see those words; “Chicken Tenders and Fries”. Ah, to be a kid again.

Well, the problem has been solved! I can just make chicken tenders in the comfort of my own home. I’ve been absolutely obsessed with my air fryer after I tried out these chicken wings and discovered how crispy the results are without using copious amounts of oil.

Ingredients

Keep scrolling to the recipe card for the FULL ingredient amounts and instructions or click the “Jump to Recipe” button at the top of the page!

• Chicken tenders – You can remove these from the underside of chicken breasts, or buy just the tenders at your local grocery store if they’re available. You can also use chicken breasts, cut into long strips.
• Breadcrumbs – I like to use Panko for extra crunch, but you can use regular or Italian.
• Salt and pepper – Season to taste.
• Garlic powder – Use as much or as little as you like.
• Eggs – I used large eggs.
• Flour – All-purpose flour will work best.

I kept this recipe really simple. You can add different spices to the breadcrumbs like some chili powder, jerk spice, cajun mix, Italian seasoning, etc. Mix it up if you’re feeling creative!

How to make air fryer chicken tenders

1. Prepare the dredge: Preheat the air fryer to 400F. Grab 3 shallow plates. Mix the breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in one of the plates. Beat the eggs in the second plate, and add the flour to the third plate.
2. Dredge the tenders: Coat each tender in flour, then the beaten egg, and finally the breadcrumb mixture.
3. Air fry the tenders: Add the tenders to the air fryer basket and lightly spray them with cooking spray. Cook for 8 minutes, flip the tenders, spray with cooking spray, and cook for another 7 minutes or until golden brown. You might have to do this in batches if you can’t fit all the chicken in one go.

What to serve with air fryer chicken tenders

Of course, you can serve the classic childhood favorite of chicken tenders and fries, but this simple crispy chicken recipe is great with so many different sides. Serve it up with a favorite dip like sweet and sour sauce, marinara sauce, tzatziki, and a couple of these sides:

Potatoes:

• Perfect Thyme Skillet Potatoes
• Hash Browns
• Parmesan Garlic Roasted Potatoes
• Greek Potato Foil Packs
• Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Salad:

• Creamy Cucumber Salad
• Kale and Quinoa Salad
• Easy Coleslaw Recipe
• Mediterranean Couscous Salad
• Tabbouleh Salad

Pasta:

• Baked Mac and Cheese
• Bacon Leek Pasta
• Cacio e Pepe
• One Pot Creamy Parmesan Pasta
• Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo

Veggies:

• Garlic Herb Roasted Carrots
• The Ultimate Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
• Ratatouille
• Italian Roasted Mushrooms and Veggies
• Cauliflower Poppers

How to store leftovers

Store leftover tenders in an airtight container or large resealable bag in the fridge for 3-4 days.

To reheat them and keep the crispiness, you can use your air fryer. Preheat it to 350F and cook the tenders for 5-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re hot.

How to freeze homemade chicken tenders

This is a great recipe to prep and freeze for future use! You can freeze them either cooked or uncooked. Line the tenders on a baking sheet, freeze for 2 hours, then transfer them to a large freezer bag or container.

For frozen uncooked tenders, preheat the air fryer to 375F. Cook the tenders for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown, flipping halfway through.

For frozen cooked tenders, preheat the air fryer to 390F and cook the tenders for 10-15 minutes or until hot, flipping halfway through.

Did you love this recipe? Try these!

• Parmesan Chicken Strips
• Cheesy Chicken Fritters
• Air Fryer Chicken Wings
• Crispy Fried Chicken
• Pressure Cooker Whole Chicken