All-time childhood favorite meets healthy weeknight dinner via extra crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders! With just 8 minutes of cook time, they’re a fast, family-friendly recipe that kids of all ages (and kids at heart!) will adore.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Chicken Fingers
- Homemade is Better. A from-scratch version of the boxed frozen chicken strips and fast food chicken fingers I loved as a kid, these air fried chicken tenders are made with simple ingredients. They’re nutritious, delicious upgrade from their processed counterparts.
- Healthy. Thanks to the air fryer, you can enjoy crispy breaded chicken, with very little oil (same with other breaded favorites like Air Fryer Shrimp and Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks!).
- Crispy AND Juicy. These chicken fingers are gratifyingly crunchy outside, juicy inside, and perfectly dippable (see sauce ideas below).
- Freezer Friendly. Make a big batch for the freezer, then air fryer frozen chicken tenders directly from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time.
- Goes with Anything. Serve them alongside a simple Arugula Salad or have some fun with Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, and you have a simple, healthy dinner that’s a shoo-in for your greatest hits list.
How to Make the Best Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
The Ingredients
- Chicken Tenders. Beloved by children and adults alike, chicken tenders are a delicious, quick-cooking option for lean protein. You can find pre-cut chicken tenders (also called chicken tenderloins) at most grocery stores, or cut your own from chicken breasts.
- Eggs. To help the breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken tenders.
- Panko Breadcrumbs. Panko provides a lighter breadcrumb coating that crisps up perfectly in the air fryer.
- Whole Wheat Breadcrumbs. Regular breadcrumbs help fully coat the chicken tenders in breading, filling in any gaps that the panko might leave behind.
- Paprika. Adds a mild, savory earthiness.
- Garlic Powder. For necessary garlicky goodness.
- Salt + Pepper. The essentials.
The Directions
- Set Up Your Dredging Station. Eggs in one bowl, breadcrumbs and spices in another.
- Bread the Chicken. Dip chicken in the eggs, then dredge in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Get Ready to Air Fry. Lay the tenders on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Arrange the Chicken in Your Air Fryer. Make sure they’re in a single layer; you will probably need to cook the chicken batches.
- Air Fry at 400°F, Flipping Halfway Through. At 400 degrees F, chicken tenders cook in the air fryer in 7 to 8 minutes.
- Cook Remaining Batches. You can keep prior batches warm in the oven. ENJOY!
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Sauce Suggestions
Because dunking in your favorite dipping sauce is half of the fun!
- Barbecue Sauce. My recipe for homemade BBQ sauce is delish!
- Ketchup. The classic.
- Honey Mustard. Try the honey mustard dipping sauce from my Pecan Crusted Chicken.
- Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip. This lightened-up version tastes just as good as the original ranch dressing.
- Honey. My childhood fave. It’s sticky and sweet.
- Buffalo Sauce. An easy way to enjoy buffalo chicken flavor. This is Ben’s choice (he also loves these Buffalo Chicken Meatballs and Air Fryer Chicken Wings)!
- Sweet Chili Sauce. Sweet, tangy, and a little spicy. (Try these Korean Air Fryer Chicken Wings or Crispy Asian Chicken Tenders if you enjoy Asian-inspired sauce flavors.)
- Basil Dipping Sauce. Try the light and fresh basil dipping sauce from my Zucchini Fries.
- Sweet and Sour. It’s *almost* like having takeout. (Sweet and sour fans, don’t miss my Sweet and Sour Chicken.)
Dipping Sauce Suggestions
Because dunking your air fryer chicken tenders in your favorite dipping sauce is half of the fun!
- Barbecue Sauce. My recipe for homemade BBQ sauce is delish!
- Ketchup. The classic.
- Honey Mustard. Try the honey mustard dipping sauce from my Pecan Crusted Chicken.
- Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip. This lightened-up version tastes just as good as the original ranch dressing.
- Honey. My childhood fave. It’s sticky and sweet.
- Buffalo Sauce. An easy way to enjoy buffalo chicken flavor. This is Ben’s choice (if its yours too, check out Air Fryer Chicken Wings)!
- Sweet Chili Sauce. Sweet, tangy, and a little spicy. (Try these Korean Air Fryer Chicken Wings or Crispy Asian Chicken Tenders if you enjoy Asian-inspired sauce flavors.)
- Basil Dipping Sauce. Try the light and fresh basil dipping sauce from my Zucchini Fries.
- Sweet and Sour. It’s *almost* like having takeout. (Sweet and sour fans, don’t miss my Sweet and Sour Chicken.)
Storage Tips
- To Store. Refrigerate air fryer chicken tenders in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F and add the chicken tenders in a single layer. Cook until warmed through. You can also reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F; avoid the microwave if possible as it will make your chicken tenders soggy.
- To Freeze. Lay cooked air fryer chicken tenders in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer the frozen tenders to an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from frozen.
Storage Tips
To ensure your frozen air fryer chicken tenders are crispy once reheated, skip the microwave. Rewarming them in the oven or air fryer will help crisp them back up.
Leftover Ideas
Leftover air fryer chicken tenderloins make a fabulous addition to your favorite salad. I love swapping them for the chicken in this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, using them in this copycat Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad, or adding them to this Spinach Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Poppy Seed Dressing.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Fries. Cook Homemade Fries in the oven, or make Air Fryer French Fries for double the air fryer action.
- Broccoli. This kid-friendly veggie is a great pairing with chicken strips. Try Grilled Broccoli, Roasted Broccoli, or Air Fryer Broccoli.
- Mac and Cheese. Who doesn’t love mac and cheese with crispy chicken? Try Instant Pot Mac and Cheese or Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese. For the carb-conscious, Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is delicious.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Air Fryer. This is the one I own and love! It works wonders with all kinds of chicken, including Air Fryer Chicken Thighs.
- Instant Read Thermometer. The best way to tell when your tenders are done.
- Tongs. Ideal for flipping the chicken tenders.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Regular AND Panko Breadcrumbs. A combination of both coarse Panko and finger regular breadcrumbs is the key to making chicken tenders crispy. I find these result in a crispier, more satisfying tenders than recipes made with flour.
- Have Fun with the Seasonings. I’ve suggested some light seasoning that gives the chicken tenders flavor without losing the simplicity of their appeal. Feel free to add cayenne to make them spicy or swap in Cajun seasoning for a twist.
- You Can Make Your Own Tenders. If your store doesn’t carry chicken tenderloins, make your own by slicing a boneless, skinless chicken breast lengthwise into strips (about a 1/2-inch thick).
- Cooking Times Vary by Model. How long chicken tenders stay in the air fryer will depend upon your model, as well as how crisp you would like them to be. In my model at 400 degrees F, the chicken tenders cook in 7 to 8 minutes.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Healthy, extra crispy air fryer chicken tenders. Made with simple ingredients, they taste far better (and are better for you!) than frozen or fried!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings (about 14 tenders)
Ingredients
FOR THE AIR FRYER CHICKEN TENDERS:
- 2 pounds chicken tenders about 14
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt divided
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Olive oil spray
FOR DIPPING (optional):
- Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip
- Honey Mustard Sauce from this Pecan Crusted Chicken
- Barbecue Sauce
- Basil Yogurt Sauce from these Zucchini Fries
Instructions
- With paper towels, pat the chicken tenders dry. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.
- In a shallow bowl (a pie dish works well) beat the eggs together. In a second shallow bowl, stir together the panko, breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, pepper, and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and keep it nearby.
- Coat the chicken tenders: Working a few at a time, dip each piece of chicken into the egg, then into the breadcrumb mixture, patting it gently as needed to adhere. Shake off excess.
- Transfer the chicken to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining pieces.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. If you’d like to keep the chicken warm between batches, turn a regular oven to 250 degrees F. Coat the air fryer basket with the olive oil cooking spray, then add chicken tenders in a single layer so that they are not touching (I can cook 4 at a time). Coat the top of the chicken tenders with oil spray.
- Cook the chicken for 7 to 8 minutes, pulling out the air fryer basket and flipping the pieces over once halfway through. (The chicken should register at least 165 degrees F on an instant read thermometer and the outsides will be golden brown and crisp.) Repeat with remaining chicken tenders, keeping them warm in the oven between batches as desired. Enjoy hot.
Video
Notes
- TO STORE:Â Refrigerate chicken tenders in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days.
- TO REHEAT: Rewarm leftovers in the oven at 350 degrees F, in the air fryer, or in the microwave.
- TO FREEZE: Lay cooked chicken tenders in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer the frozen tenders to an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen.
Nutrition
Serving: 1(of 4)Calories: 343kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 53gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 227mgPotassium: 913mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 680IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 2mg
Join today and start saving your favorite recipes
Create an account to easily save your favorite recipes and access FREE meal plans.
Sign Me UpFrequently Asked Questions
Can I Air Fry Frozen Raw Chicken Tenders?
You can certainly put frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer, but only if you are making air fryer chicken tenders with no breading. Because this recipe is breaded, you will need to thaw the chicken first in order for the bread crumbs to adhere. Thawed, raw chicken is completely safe to put in an air fryer.
Can I Make Chicken Tenders without Breading?
For chicken tenders without breading (say you are following a keto or low-carbohydrates diet), skip the breading, use the seasoning from my Air Fryer Chicken Breast and cook the chicken tenders at 400 degrees F for 7 to 8 minutes cooking time as directed in this recipe. (These Grilled Chicken Tenders are another delicious option.)
Can I Make Chicken Tenders Without an Air Fryer?
No air fryer? No problem! Follow this Chicken Tenders Recipe. You also can bake these chicken strips on a wire rack set on top of a rimmed baking sheet. Use convection heat if your oven has it.
Or, for other excellent crispy baked chicken recipes, check out my Baked Chicken Parmesan or this buttermilk marinaded Baked Fried Chicken.
This is the first meal I made in my new air fryer and it came out perfectly. Loved the breading mixture and the Ranch dressing was perfect.
Hi Jean! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!