Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Who doesn’t love a perfectly crispy, golden-brown chicken tender? The problem is that deep-frying at home is messy, greasy, and time-consuming. Enter the air fryer! These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders deliver that satisfying crunch you crave, but with a fraction of the oil and calories.
Whether you’re making a quick weeknight dinner for the kids or whipping up game-day appetizers, this recipe is guaranteed to be a massive hit. The Panko breading gets shatteringly crisp, while the chicken inside stays remarkably juicy and tender.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthier: You get deep-fried texture using just a few sprays of olive oil.
- Super Crispy: Thanks to the Panko breadcrumbs and the circulating heat of the air fryer, they are incredibly crunchy.
- Kid-Approved: A wholesome, homemade version of a childhood favorite!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Chicken Tenderloins: You can buy these pre-cut, or buy chicken breasts and slice them into strips yourself to save money!
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Panko is a Japanese-style breadcrumb that is larger and lighter than standard breadcrumbs. It is the absolute secret to maximum crunch.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky flavor and helps the chicken achieve that beautiful golden color in the air fryer.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
The standard three-step breading station is the key here. First, dredge the dry chicken in seasoned flour—this gives the egg something to cling to. Next, a quick dip in beaten egg, which acts as the glue for the breadcrumbs. Finally, press the chicken firmly into the Panko. The most important step for air frying is the oil spray. Because an air fryer is basically a mini convection oven, dry breadcrumbs will just look pale and dusty if you don’t spray them with a light coating of oil before cooking!
Pro Tips for the Best Results
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: The air needs to circulate around each piece of chicken to make it crispy. Leave space between the tenders!
- Use a good oil spray: An aerosol olive oil or avocado oil spray works best. Avoid non-stick sprays like PAM with propellants, as they can damage your air fryer basket over time.
Ingredients
Method
- Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. In the second bowl, beat the eggs. In the third bowl, place the Panko breadcrumbs.
- Pat the chicken tenderloins completely dry with a paper towel.
- Coat each tender first in the seasoned flour (shaking off excess), then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally press firmly into the Panko breadcrumbs to ensure an even coating.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
- Place the breaded tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch. You may need to work in batches.
- Spray the tops of the chicken generously with olive oil spray (this helps them brown).
- Air fry for 6 minutes, then flip the tenders, spray the other side, and air fry for another 5-6 minutes until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce!
