Air-Fryer Chicken Tenders

Crispy chicken tenders that kids and adults absolutely love! These air-fryer beauties give you that perfect golden crunch without all the oil and mess of deep frying.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Active Time: 15 minutes, Total Time: 25 minutes, Serves: 4 people.

Nutrition Profile: Diabetes-Friendly, Nut-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, High-Protein.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 232 Calories, 5g Fat, 15g Carbs, 32g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Whole-wheat flour: You’ll need ¼ cup for the first coating. This helps the egg stick better and gives you that nice crispy base layer.

Large eggs: Two eggs beaten well will coat about a pound of chicken perfectly. Make sure they’re at room temperature for easier mixing.

Whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs: One cup gives you that amazing crunch we’re all after. Panko makes way crispier tenders than regular breadcrumbs!

Italian seasoning: Two teaspoons adds that perfect herb flavor. You can use store-bought or make your own blend.

Chicken tenders: One pound feeds four people nicely. Look for tenders that are similar in size so they cook evenly.

Ground pepper: Just ¼ teaspoon seasons the chicken before breading. Fresh cracked pepper tastes even better if you have it.

Cooking spray: This is your secret to crispy tenders without deep frying. Don’t skip this step – it makes all the difference!

Salt: ½ teaspoon sprinkled on after cooking brings out all those delicious flavors.

Honey mustard: Perfect for dipping, but ketchup or ranch work great too!

How to Make Air-Fryer Chicken Tenders

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 10 minutes. Set up your breading station with three shallow bowls.

Step 2: Put flour in the first bowl. Beat eggs in the second bowl. Mix panko and Italian seasoning in the third bowl.

Step 3: Sprinkle chicken tenders with pepper. Coat each tender in flour first, shaking off extra.

Step 4: Dip floured chicken in beaten eggs. Let excess drip off before moving to the next step.

Step 5: Press chicken into panko mixture, making sure it sticks well. Place on a large plate when done.

Step 6: Spray all sides of breaded chicken generously with cooking spray. This step makes them super crispy!

Step 7: Cook in air fryer basket for 8-10 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Check that internal temp reaches 165°F.

Step 8: Sprinkle with salt right after cooking. Serve hot with honey mustard for dipping!

Easy and Quick Air-Fryer Chicken Tenders Version

Want to save even more time? You can use pre-seasoned panko breadcrumbs and skip the Italian seasoning step! Just use 1 cup of any flavored panko you like. Garlic and herb or parmesan flavors work amazingly well. This cuts your prep time down to just 10 minutes!

Serving Ideas

These crispy tenders make a complete meal when you add some easy sides. Try them with sweet potato fries and a simple green salad. Kids love them with mac and cheese and steamed broccoli. They’re also perfect for meal prep – just reheat and serve over salads all week long!

Storage

Store leftover tenders in the fridge for up to 3 days in a covered container. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until heated through. They’ll crisp up again like magic! You can also freeze them for up to 2 months – just thaw overnight before reheating.

Substitutions

No whole-wheat flour? Regular all-purpose flour works just fine. You can swap the panko for regular breadcrumbs, but they won’t be quite as crispy. Don’t have Italian seasoning? Try garlic powder, paprika, or even ranch seasoning mix instead. Ground turkey or pork tenderloin pieces work great too if you want to switch up the protein!

Pro Tips

• Don’t overcrowd: Cook in batches if needed so air can flow around each tender
• Press firmly: Really press that panko coating on – it helps it stay put during cooking
• Spray generously: Don’t be shy with the cooking spray – it’s what makes them golden and crispy
• Check temperature: Use a meat thermometer to make sure they hit 165°F for food safety
• Serve immediately: They’re crispiest right out of the air fryer!

FAQs

Can I make these without an air fryer?

You bet! Bake them at 425°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping once halfway through. They’ll still be delicious, just not quite as crispy as the air fryer version.

What if my chicken tenders are different sizes?

No worries! Just keep an eye on the smaller ones – they might be done a minute or two earlier. The bigger ones might need an extra minute. Always check with a thermometer to be sure!

Can I prep these ahead of time?

Sure! You can bread them up to 4 hours ahead and keep them in the fridge. Just don’t spray with oil until right before cooking, or they might get soggy.

Why aren’t my tenders crispy enough?

The most common reason is not using enough cooking spray. Make sure you coat all sides really well. Also, don’t skip the preheating step – that hot air fryer is key to getting crispy results!

I’d love to hear how your chicken tenders turn out! Drop a comment below and let me know what dipping sauce you tried with them. Happy cooking, friend!