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These air fryer chicken tenders are a lifesaver on crazy weeknights. Crispy, cheesy, and full of flavor—plus they cook up fast and my kids actually ask for seconds. Total win!
A Reader’s Review
I have tried several air fried chicken recipes and this is by far the best. Turns out perfect every time. My husband is very picky and he loves this chicken!
Why These Tenders Are a Total Win
- Crispy without the Mess: I love a good crispy bite, but not the oily mess. Air frying gives you that same delicious crunch without the splatter or cleanup!
- Quick and Kid-Approved: On the table in under 20 minutes and a hit with everyone (yes, even the picky eaters).
- Big on Flavor: Parmesan and garlic are the stars of the show. SO GOOD.
Air Fryer Chicken Tender Ingredients
- Use Panko for Crunch: Panko crisps up better since it’s lighter and absorbs less oil. Regular bread crumbs work, but won’t be as crunchy.
- Flavor Profile: You can add different spices to your panko mixture. Try Italian, Mexican, Cajun, or whatever you like!
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Cooking up these chicken tenders in the air fryer is so quick and easy! You will be done from start to finish in just over 20 minutes.
- Prep and Coat with Flour: Set out three bowls. Fill one with flour, pepper, and salt. Stir. Fill the next bowl with olive oil or melted butter and minced garlic. Stir. Place dried basil, paprika, Panko breadcrumbs, and parmesan cheese in the last bowl, then stir. First, coat the boneless skinless chicken tenders in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess flour.
- Coat with Butter/Oil: Next, dip the flour-coated tender into the oil or butter and coat well, allowing excess to drip off.
- Coat with Panko Breadcrumbs: Finally, coat the chicken strips in the breadcrumb mixture, be sure it is completely coated for a nice, crispy breading.
- Air Fry: Place the breaded chicken tenders in the air fryer basket of the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 9 minutes. Flip the tenders and cook for another 8-9 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Alyssa’s Best Breading Tip!
How to Keep the Breading On: Press the crumbs firmly into the chicken, then give the tenders a light spray of cooking oil—this helps the coating stick and adds extra crisp.
Don’t Crowd the Air Fryer
Air Flow = Crispy Tenders: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might have to cook in batches. Leave space so the air can do its thing. If they touch, they won’t get crispy.
How to Store Leftovers
These air fryer chicken tenders can easily be stored and reheated the next day! It’s the perfect, protein-packed lunch or snack!
- In the Refrigerator: Store leftover tenders in an airtight container or large resealable bag in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- In the Freezer: Freeze these after they have cooled completely. To keep from sticking, line them on a baking sheet for 2 hours in the freezer. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- To Reheat: To keep them crispy, reheat them in the air fryer. Heat at 350ºF for 5-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, till hot.
Sauces for Dipping
Serve with crispy homemade fries and your favorite dipping sauce. We love honey mustard and ranch! Here are a few more options for you to try!
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Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ pounds boneless skinless chicken tenders
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 6 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
- Set out three bowls. Fill one with 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, & 1/2 teaspoon salt . Stir. Fill the next bowl with 6 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter and 3 teaspoons minced garlic. Stir. Place 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1/4 teaspoon paprika, 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs, and 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese, in the last bowl. Stir.
- First, coat the 1 ¼ pounds boneless skinless chicken tenders in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess flour.
- Next, dip the flour-coated tender into the oil or butter and coat well, allowing excess to drip off.
- Finally, coat the tenders in the breadcrumb mixture, be sure they are completely coated for a nice, crispy breading.
- Place the tenders in the basket of the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 9 minutes. Flip the tenders and cook for another 8-9 minutes until the chicken's internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi, I love the chicken tenders, I did them in my air fryer. My mom’s oven has an air fryer in it, how long do I let them cook. The air fryers comes at 425°
If your oven has an air fryer setting and it cooks at 425 degrees Fahrenheit, 7-9 minutes should be enough time, but make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
I have been making these for my wife, we absolutely love them, its a cracking recipe!
Only change I made was reduced the cook time to 6 min then 6min. This is because my air fryer is pretty small and I only made 4 tenders. 9 min and 8-9min they were dry. After adjustment due to size and capacity, perfect!
I have tried several air fried chicken recipes and this is by far the best. Turns out perfect every time. My husband is very picky and he loves this chicken!
Super tender and tasty. Loved it
Looking for a way out of buying frozen strips. Used the melted butter for step two. This resulted in pale, greasy batter on the chicken but what stuck out from the surface was crispy, if it didn’t slide off. Maybe a case of air fryer not being good enough or error on my end.three stars
This was 5⭐️ approved by my husband. Definitely a keeper
All of the family loved it tonight! We have the Ninja Combi cooker on air fry setting. We only needed an 8 minute total cook time. ? Definitely check on your chicken. Will be adding this to our weekly Sunday dinner plans
Just bought an air fryer and have not used it yet. Im a bit nervous. Starting tonight with chicken thighs and french fries. Any beginner help would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Sheri Rose
do you preheat your airfryer here?
Yes, add the chicken tenders once the air fryer is preheated.