Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Tenders – Better Than Fast Food!
Golden, crispy chicken tenders made right in the air fryer! These are healthier than deep-fried versions and just as delicious juicy on the inside, crunchy on the outside, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenders or chicken breasts cut into strips
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup regular breadcrumbs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Cooking spray or a light drizzle of olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Set up 3 bowls:
- Bowl 1: flour + salt, pepper, garlic & onion powder
- Bowl 2: whisked eggs
- Bowl 3: panko + regular breadcrumbs + paprika
- Coat the Chicken
- Dip each chicken tender into flour (shake off excess), then into egg, and finally into the breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to coat well.
- Air Fry
- Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil. Place tenders in a single layer (work in batches if needed).
- Spray the tops of the tenders lightly with cooking spray.
- Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temp hits 165°F (74°C).
- 🧂 Optional Dipping Sauces:
- Honey mustard
- Ranch
- BBQ sauce
- Buffalo sauce
- Garlic aioli
Notes
- Make it gluten-free: Use almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Spicy version: Add ½ tsp cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mix.
- Storage: Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat in air fryer for 3–5 minutes to re-crisp.
Nutrition
Calories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 28gFat: 10gFiber: 1gSugar: 1g
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