Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe: Family Favorite!

Crispy air fryer chicken tenders deliver a mouthwatering twist on classic comfort food that enhances ordinary meals into extraordinary experiences.

The golden-brown exterior promises a satisfying crunch that rivals traditional deep-fried versions without excessive oil.

Lean protein meets culinary innovation through this clever cooking technique that maximizes flavor and texture.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly these tenders come together with minimal preparation and cleanup.

Each bite guarantees a perfect balance between juicy interior and crackling exterior that delights both kids and adults.

Simple seasonings elevate these chicken tenders from basic to gourmet, creating restaurant-quality results right in your kitchen.

You’ll love how simple ingredients and smart cooking methods combine to produce a crowd-pleasing meal.

Why Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Are the Crunch You Crave

• Crunch into Perfection: These air fryer chicken tenders deliver an incredibly crispy exterior that shatters with each bite, offering restaurant-quality crunch without deep-frying.
• Speed Meets Convenience: Ready in just 15 minutes, this recipe provides a quick weeknight meal solution that's faster than traditional oven-baked or pan-fried chicken tenders.
• Healthier Indulgence: Air frying cuts down significant oil usage while maintaining a golden, crispy coating, making it a lighter alternative to traditional deep-fried chicken without sacrificing flavor or texture.
• Kid-Approved Comfort: With its simple seasoning and familiar finger-food format, these chicken tenders appeal to both children and adults, making it an ideal family-friendly meal that pleases everyone at the table.

Ingredients for Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

• All-Purpose Flour: A classic base for crispy coating with flexible gluten-free option.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for balanced flavor and enhancing overall taste.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Aromatic spices that add depth and savory notes to the chicken.
• Paprika: Provides mild warmth and beautiful golden-red color to the coating.

• Chicken Tenders: Lean, tender meat perfect for quick and delicious air frying, best when fresh and uniform in size.

• Eggs: Crucial for helping the coating stick to the chicken and creating a golden, crispy exterior.
• Cooking Spray: Helps achieve extra crispiness and prevents sticking in the air fryer, olive oil spray recommended for healthier option.

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders That Stay Juicy Inside

Step 1: Create Magical Seasoning Blend

In a shallow dish, mix flour and all the spices until they’re perfectly combined. This is where the flavor magic begins!

Step 2: Whip Up Egg Wash

Crack the eggs into a separate bowl and whisk them until they’re smooth and completely blended.

Step 3: Prep Chicken for Crispy Transformation

Pat the chicken tenders completely dry with paper towels. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness, so make sure they’re super dry!

Step 4: Master the Breading Dance

• First dip into the seasoned flour mixture
• Shake off excess
• Dive into the egg wash
• Let extra egg drip off
• Return to flour for a second magical coating

Place the breaded tenders on a clean plate.

Step 5: Air Fryer Transformation

• Spraying the basket with cooking spray
• Arranging tenders with space between them
• Giving the tops a light spray of cooking oil

Step 6: Cook to Crispy Perfection

• 5-6 minutes on first side
• Flip
• 5-6 minutes on other side

Chicken should be golden brown and cooked through.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer tenders to a paper towel-lined plate.

Sprinkle with a touch of extra salt.

Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces like tangy barbecue, creamy ranch, or sweet honey mustard.

Pro Tip: Let tenders rest for a minute to keep that incredible crunch!

Tips for Crispy, Golden Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer

• Maximize Crispiness: Pat chicken tenders completely dry before coating to ensure a super crispy exterior that doesn't get soggy.
• Perfect Seasoning Technique: Mix dry spices thoroughly in flour to distribute flavors evenly across every chicken tender.
• Avoid Overcrowding: Place tenders in a single layer with space between them in the air fryer basket for consistent, golden-brown results.
• Double-Coating Magic: Use the double-dredging method by coating in flour, then egg, then flour again to create an extra crunchy, thick breading.
• Temperature Check: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature for safe and perfectly cooked tenders.

Best Ways to Store and Reheat Chicken Tenders Without Drying Out

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat in Air Fryer: Restore crispiness by preheating air fryer to 375°F. Arrange tenders in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway through until heated completely.
• Prevent Sogginess: Place a paper towel in the storage container to absorb excess moisture, maintaining the tenders' original crispy texture when reheating.

What to Serve with Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

• Pair with Zesty Ranch Dressing: Whip up a cool, creamy ranch dressing packed with fresh herbs to complement the crispy, golden chicken tenders. The tangy sauce cuts through the richness of the fried coating, creating a perfect flavor balance.
• Match with Crisp Craft Beer: Select a light, hoppy pale ale or wheat beer that refreshes the palate and enhances the chicken's crunchy texture. The beer's carbonation helps cleanse your mouth between bites, making each tender taste as exciting as the first.
• Serve with Crunchy Coleslaw Side: Create a vibrant, tangy coleslaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a vinegar-based dressing. The cool, crisp slaw provides a refreshing contrast to the hot, spicy chicken tenders, adding a delightful textural dimension to the meal.
• Complement with Sweet Potato Fries: Bake or air fry sweet potato wedges seasoned with smoked paprika and sea salt. Their natural sweetness and slightly charred edges perfectly balance the savory chicken, offering a nutritious and delicious accompaniment.

Flavorful Twists on Classic Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

• Spicy Kick Chicken Tenders: Add cayenne pepper and red chili flakes to the flour mixture for a fiery version that brings heat to every bite.
• Herb-Crusted Chicken Tenders: Mix dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, and parsley into the flour coating for an aromatic and fresh Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Parmesan Crunch Chicken Tenders: Incorporate grated parmesan cheese into the flour mixture and sprinkle extra cheese on top before air frying to create a crispy, cheesy exterior that adds rich, savory notes.
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities while maintaining the same crispy texture.

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy air fryer chicken tenders deliver golden-brown perfection with minimal oil and maximum flavor. Crunchy exterior and juicy interior make these tenders a quick, crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 pounds chicken tenders
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs

Seasoning Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika

Additional Ingredients:

• Cooking spray (preferably olive oil)

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Instructions

1. Craft a zesty seasoning blend by whisking together flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika in a shallow dish, ensuring even distribution of spices.
2. Create a smooth egg wash by thoroughly beating eggs in a separate bowl until uniformly blended.
3. Pat chicken tenders completely dry with paper towels, eliminating excess moisture to guarantee optimal flour adherence.
4. Meticulously coat each tender by first dredging in the seasoned flour mixture, then immersing in egg wash, allowing surplus liquid to drip off, and finally re-coating with flour for a robust, crispy exterior.
5. Lightly spritz air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking, strategically positioning tenders with ample spacing for uniform heat circulation.
6. Mist tender tops with cooking spray to enhance golden crispiness.
7. Orchestrate air frying at 400°F, cooking for 5-6 minutes, then carefully flipping and continuing for an additional 5-6 minutes until chicken reaches optimal internal temperature and exterior develops a satisfying crunch.
8. Transfer crispy tenders to a paper towel-lined plate for excess oil absorption, delicately seasoning with a final salt sprinkle.
9. Present piping hot alongside an array of tantalizing dipping sauces like barbecue, honey mustard, or creamy ranch for a delectable dining experience.

Notes

• Crispy exterior starts with thorough drying of chicken tenders to help flour stick perfectly.
• Layering flour and egg wash creates an irresistibly crunchy coating that locks in juicy meat.
• Double-coating technique ensures maximum crispiness and golden-brown texture in every bite.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 580mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 36g
• Cholesterol: 180mg