These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and easy enough for a busy weeknight dinner.
Making Air Fryer Chicken Tenders from scratch is simple. The chicken is dipped in egg, coated with panko and breadcrumbs, lightly sprayed with olive oil, then air fried until golden and cooked through.
Serve them with ketchup, ranch, honey mustard, buffalo sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce.
If you like crispy chicken recipes, these Air Fryer Parmesan Chicken Tenders are another easy variation.
Table of Contents
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Ingredients
- Chicken tenderloins
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Eggs
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Regular breadcrumbs
- Olive oil spray
Chicken tenderloins are already cut into strips, so there is no need to spend extra time slicing chicken breasts.
For another crispy air fryer chicken dinner, try this Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
1. Season the Chicken
Season the chicken tenderloins with salt and black pepper.
2. Prepare the Breading Stations
Crack 2 eggs into a shallow bowl and beat them.
In another shallow bowl, combine the panko and regular breadcrumbs.
3. Bread the Chicken
Dip each chicken tender into the beaten egg.
Transfer it to the breadcrumb mixture and coat it completely on all sides.
Place the breaded tenders on a clean tray or cutting board while you finish coating the remaining chicken.
4. Spray with Olive Oil
Lightly spray both sides of the breaded chicken tenders with olive oil spray.
This small amount of oil helps the breading become crisp and golden in the air fryer.
5. Arrange in the Air Fryer
Place the Air Fryer Chicken Tenders in a single layer in the basket.
Do not overlap the tenders because the hot air needs room to circulate around the breading.
If you enjoy crispy chicken with more heat, try these Air Fryer Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wings.
How Long to Cook Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Cook the chicken tenders for about 5 to 6 minutes per side, turning them halfway through cooking.
The Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are ready when the breading is crispy and golden and the chicken is cooked through.
Check the thickest part of the chicken with a food thermometer. Poultry should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
For official food-safety guidance, see the USDA Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart.
Cooking time can vary slightly depending on the thickness of the chicken tenders and the air fryer model.
Can You Bake Chicken Tenders?
Yes. If you do not have an air fryer, the breaded chicken tenders can be baked in the oven.
Bake them at 425°F for about 16 minutes, turning them halfway through cooking.
The chicken should still reach an internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
For another breaded chicken dinner, try Gluten-Free Chicken Parmesan.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Variations
Spicy Chicken Tenders
Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the egg mixture for extra heat.
Parmesan Herb Chicken Tenders
Add Italian seasoning and extra Parmesan to the breadcrumb mixture.
Buffalo-Style Chicken Tenders
Cook the tenders normally, then toss them in buffalo sauce before serving.
For another buffalo-style meal, these Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers are another option.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders work well with vegetables, potatoes, salads, and simple dipping sauces.
For a crispy vegetable side, serve them with Air Fryer Zucchini Chips.
Another simple side is Air Fryer Carrots.
For potatoes, try Sliced Potatoes in the Air Fryer.
For something cold and crunchy, serve them with Broccoli Bacon Salad.
You can also chop the cooked tenders and use them in a Crispy Fried Chicken Salad.
How to Reheat Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Place leftover Air Fryer Chicken Tenders back in the air fryer at 350°F for about 3 to 4 minutes.
Air frying helps bring back some of the crisp texture that can be lost during refrigeration.
Check that the tenders are heated through before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make chicken tenders from scratch?
Season the chicken tenderloins with salt and pepper, dip them in beaten egg, and coat them in panko and breadcrumbs.
Spray both sides lightly with olive oil before cooking them in the air fryer.
How long do you cook chicken tenders in the air fryer?
Cook them for about 5 to 6 minutes per side, turning halfway through.
The exact cooking time depends on the thickness of the chicken and your air fryer.
What temperature should Air Fryer Chicken Tenders reach?
The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Can you bake chicken tenders instead of air frying them?
Yes. Bake them at 425°F for about 16 minutes and turn them halfway through.
Can I make Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Tenders?
Yes. Add Parmesan and Italian seasoning to the breadcrumb mixture before coating the chicken.
Can I make Buffalo Air Fryer Chicken Tenders?
Yes. Air fry the tenders until cooked through, then toss them in buffalo sauce before serving.
AIR FRYER CHICKEN TENDERS
Making your own chicken tenders in the air fryer is so easy. This quick and easy family-friendly recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Serve up AIR FRYER CHICKEN TENDERS with your favorite dipping sauce like ketchup, ranch, or honey mustard.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Main Courses
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken Tenderloins (about 6 pieces)
- ½ cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tsp Salt divided
- ¾ tsp Pepper divided
- 2 Eggs
- ½ cup Panko Bread Crumbs
- ½ cup Bread Crumbs
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper, set aside. To build breading station you’ll need 3 shallow bowls. For this recipe I use pie pans. In the first pie pan, add the flour and about ½ tsp of salt, ¼ tsp of pepper. Using a fork and or whisk, stir to combine. Set aside. In the second pie pan, add the 2 eggs. Using a fork or a whisk, break the yolks up then stir or whisk to combine the eggs. Set the egg pan aside. In third and final pie pan, add Panko and Bread Crumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and the remaining salt and pepper. Using a fork or a whisk, stir to combine all of the ingredients. Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F. Set up your breading station with the pans in order. Gather a clean plate and set it aside. Place 1 of the chicken tenderloin pieces in the flour mixture and then coat the chicken until it’s fully covered in flour. Shake off any excess flour. Then, place the floured chicken piece in the egg mixture, fully coat it in the egg. Finally, place piece of chicken in the breadcrumb pan. Cover the piece of chicken in the bread crumbs. Shake off any excess breadcrumbs. Place the coated chicken tenderloin on a clean plate and repeat this process until you’ve fully coated all of the chicken tenderloins. Line preheated air fryer basket with a piece of parchment paper. This step is optional but recommended as it will help with cleanup. Place 2-4 pieces of chicken tenderloins in the air fryer basket. **The number of chicken pieces you’ll be able to add will depend on the size of your air fryer and the size of the chicken pieces. Cook for 10 minutes at 400 degrees F, flipping the chicken over after 5 minutes. Cook tenders to an internal temp of 165°F. Repeat this process cooking tenders in batches to prevent overcrowding the basket.
Nutrition
- Calories: 526 calories
- Sugar: 3 grams sugar
- Sodium: 1200 milligrams sodium
- Fat: 11 grams fat
- Saturated Fat: 3 grams saturated fat
- Trans Fat: 0 grams trans fat
- Carbohydrates: 44 grams carbohydrates
- Fiber: 3 grams fiber
- Protein: 59 grams protein
- Cholesterol: 253 milligrams cholesterol
Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders
