Name: Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 16 min
Total time: 26 min
Ingredients: 1 lb Chicken Tenders; 1/2 cup Flour; 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder; 1 tsp Salt; 1/2 tsp Pepper; 1 cup Panko Bread Crumbs; 3 Large Eggs; Cooking Spray

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Crispy and delicious air fryer chicken tenders are ready in less than 20 minutes. Enjoy restaurant quality tenders at home for a fraction of the price.

Closeup of air fryer chicken tender dipped in ketchup.

We love Air Fryer Chicken Tenders.

The kids love chicken tenders and it is a popular menu choice any place we go. I wanted to recreate some at home that tasted just as amazing. The results? Everyone declared Air Fryer Chicken Tenders better than at a restaurant.

They are perfectly crispy on the outside and golden brown. The chicken is tender and not dry at all.

Plus, the air fryer cooks them in less than 20 minutes. No need to stand over hot oil frying these when the air fryer does all of the work.

I love that my family can enjoy crispy chicken tenders without tons of oil or work. It is easy enough for busy school nights and so tasty.

How do you make chicken tenders from scratch?

Start with chicken tenders that you dredge in flour and an egg mixture. This is where the flavor and tasty coating comes into place.

Place in the air fryer and cook.

How long to cook chicken tenders in air fryer

The chicken cooks for 7 to 8 minutes per side. You want it to be golden brown.

Ingredients for recipe: chicken tenders, flour, breadcrumbs, seasoning, eggs.

Ingredients you need

Chicken Tenderloins

Flour

Garlic Powder – Sometimes, I also use onion powder.

Salt and Pepper

panko Bread Crumbs

Large Eggs

Cooking Spray

How to make air fryer chicken tenders

First, preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees. No worries if your air fryer does not have a preheat option. Just set the air fryer to 390 degrees and let it run for 5 minutes.

Second, put the flour in a bowl. Then beat the eggs and put them in a separate shallow bowl. Get out a 3rd bowl and combine the bread crumbs and seasoning together.

Start to coat the chicken tenders in the flour mixture. Then dip the chicken in the eggs and then coat the chicken in the bread crumbs mixture.

3 bowls with flour, eggs and bread crumbs for coating chicken tenders.

Keep doing this until all of the raw chicken has been coated.

Once the chicken has been coated, spray it with cooking spray and get ready to air fry.

Chicken tenders in air fryer basket ready to be cooked.

Finally, place the chicken in the air fryer basket. Make sure it is in a single layer and does not overlap. Allow the chicken to cook for 8 minutes and then flip the chicken and cook for another 7 to 8 minutes or until golden brown. Make sure to spray the other side with cooking spray so it does not stick.

Cooked chicken tenders in air fryer basket.

Keep repeating the cooking process until all of the chicken is cooked. Depending on how much chicken your air fryer basket will hold, you might need to cook this in several batches.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHICKEN TENDERS

Ketchup – You might want to try make Homemade ketchup because it is so easy.

Barbecue sauce – I love this homemade bbq sauce.

Ranch – This recipe for homemade ranch dip is yummy.
Chicken Dipping Sauce – Our Chicken Dipping Sauce is easy and delicious!

I like to place several containers of dipping sauce on the table for everyone to choose from.

Closeup picture of air fryer chicken tenders cut in half.

Best side dishes with airfryer chicken tenders:

Air Fryer Tator Tots Recipe– Air fryer tator tots give you all the flavor from deep frying without the fat. These crispy tator tots make the best side dish.

Oven baked sweet potato fries– This easy oven baked sweet potato fries recipe is one of my favorites. It is delicious, much healthier than traditional fries and they are fun to make with the kids.

Air Fryer Broccoli – Each bite is crispy and tasty with amazing garlic flavor.

How to store Crispy Air fryer chicken tenders recipe:

Refrigerate the leftovers in an air tight container for up to 5 day in the fridge. To reheat the leftovers, cook them in your air fryer at 350 degrees for 5 to 10 minutes to warm them up while still keeping them crispy!

Can I make chicken tenders in advance?

Yes, we do this frequently and place in the freezer until ready to bake. Follow the freezer instructions below.

How to freeze chicken tenders:

Skip store bought frozen tenders and make your own. Just dip the tenders in flour and the egg mixture as normal.

Flash freeze on a baking sheet for 2 to 3 hours until the chicken is frozen solid. Once frozen, put the chicken inside a freezer bag or container.

When you are ready to cook, place the frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer as normal. Since it is frozen, they may need a few extra minutes per side.

Air Fryer Chicken tenders on a plate with ketchup for dipping.

Can I make this with chicken breast?

Yes you can. If you are using chicken breast instead of chicken tenders, cut the chicken breast into pieces.

Dredge as normal and cook following the same instructions.

What about drumsticks?

If you want to use drumsticks, feel free. This is a tasty and frugal substitution idea.

Coat the chicken legs as you would the tenders and place in the air fryer.

They cook for the same amount of time as chicken tenders. You will also need to flip them half way.

Can I make them in the oven?

Yes, just bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Flip the chicken tenders half way through the cooking time.

How to make gluten free:

Omit the flour and breadcrumbs and use almond flour instead.

Make chicken tenders in air fryer.

It is one of our favorite chicken recipes.

Print this air fryer chicken tenders recipe:

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