These crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are the best way to spice up your basic chicken recipes! They’re low carb, quick to make, and taste even better than the tenders you remember as a kid.
Air fryers are one of the greatest cooking inventions ever. The hot air circulating the food makes it crisp and cook evenly every time. From Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings to Air Fryer Shrimp, there’s nothing the air fryer can’t do.
Now, we’re bringing you a new air fryer recipe – Chicken Tenders. This easy recipe takes basic chicken tenders to a whole new level. With simple ingredients like chicken tenderloins, eggs, and a panko breadcrumb mixture, these air fryer chicken tenderloins are an easy meal the whole family will love!
What Are Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer?
This easy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders recipe involves coating the naked chicken tenders in an egg mixture and carefully dunking it in a panko breadcrumb mixture. Then, they’re placed in the air fryer where the hot air creates a super crispy outer layer without deep frying them in oil. The result is crispy chicken tenders with tons of flavor and cooked in less time than traditional chicken tenders!
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken tenders – we avoid any chicken that is injected with liquid because we find it changes the texture and cooking time.
- Large eggs
- Panko breadcrumbs – Use Pork Panko if you’re keeping it Keto.
- Parmesan cheese – Fresh or grated is fine.
- Italian seasoning – or your favorite herbaceous herb blend
- Kosher Salt
- Freshly ground Black pepper
How to Make Crispy Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer
Prep the Chicken
- In a shallow bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together to create a flavorful coating.
- Take another shallow bowl and whisk the large eggs together. This will help create a sticky base for the breadcrumb coating.
- Dip each chicken tender first into the whisked eggs, making sure it’s fully coated. Let any excess liquid drip off. Then, coat it in the panko or breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to help the coating stick.
- Spray your air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray. Now, place the coated chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You might need to work in batches if you’re making a big batch.
Air Fry the chicken tenders
- Set the air fryer to 400 degrees F and air fry the chicken tenders for about 8-10 minutes. Remember to flip them halfway through to ensure even cooking and a nice golden color.
Serve and Enjoy
- Once they’re golden brown, crispy, and cooked through, take out the chicken tenders from the air fryer. Serve them up with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!
Girl Carnivore Expert Recipe Tips
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken tenders is at least 165 degrees F.
- Swap out the panko breadcrumbs for regular breadcrumbs for a more dense coating! Or keep it low-carb and use pork panko.
- Play around with different spices like garlic powder, cayenne pepper, chili powder, onion powder, or whatever you like!
What to Serve With Homemade Chicken Tenders
Well, first, we totally recommend dipping these into a little homemade barbecue sauce or a creamy aioli for an epic flavor combo. As for side dishes, you can keep it traditional and serve your tenders with some Duck Fat Fries, air fryer garlic parmesan fries or keep it low carb and serve them with some BBQ Glazed Smoked Brussels Sprouts with Bacon or this Kale & Apple Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette!
Leftovers & Reheating
Place leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Alternatively, you can freeze them for up to 4 months to enjoy at a later time. These are easy to make in batches to keep in the freezer for busy weeknights.
When you’re ready to eat your crispy chicken tenders. Remove them from the fridge and pop them in the air fryer at 375 degrees F for 3-4 minutes. Make sure to flip halfway through so both sides are crispy.
If you’re reheating your chicken tenders from the freezer, follow the same reheating instructions but add a couple of minutes to the cooking time!
More Easy Air Fryer Dinner Recipes
Cooking chicken tenders in the air fryer is the easiest way to get juicy chicken fingers with crispy skin without using a ton of oil! Make these delicious tenders for a party and serve them with some BBQ sauce or honey mustard for the ultimate flavor combo!
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This simple, crunchy panko crumb coated air fryer chicken tenders recipe makes the best crispy, goldenand juicy chicken tenders in just minutes. By using the air fryer instead of deep frying, you slash calories and fat for a quick and easy chicken tenders recipe the whole family will love.
Prevent your screen from going to sleep
Place the panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper in a
shallow bowl and mix to combine.
In a separate shallow bowl, whisk the eggs together.
Dip each chicken tender into the egg mixture, fully coating the chicken. Let any excess liquid drip off.
Then dip into the panko mixture and gently press it to coast all sides.
Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray and add the chicken tenders to the air fryer basket.
Working in batches if needed, Air fry for 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees F, flipping halfway through.
Carefully remove the chicken tenders from the hot basket.
Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
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- Let your air fryer preheat for the best results.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken tenders is at least 165 degrees F.
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- Swap out the panko breadcrumbs for regular breadcrumbs for a more dense coating! Or keep it low-carb and use pork panko.
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- Play around with different spices like garlic powder, cayenne pepper, chili powder, onion powder, or whatever you like!
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 159mg | Sodium: 621mg | Potassium: 501mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 194IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 153mg | Iron: 2mg
Recipe FAQs
No worries! If you have boneless skinless chicken breasts, you can cut them into strips and use those as tenderloins instead!
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