Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Just wait ’til your family tries these air fryer chicken tenders. You’ll be using your air fryer to make them every week.
With the air fryer, I don’t need to go out for chicken tenders, I can make crispy chicken tenders easily at home, all ready for my favorite dipping sauce. An egg coating and deliciously seasoned panko breadcrumbs create that great crunch you want. And the air fryer makes it so easy to cook them to perfection.
Scroll down to read more about how it all comes together or click here to jump straight down to the recipe.
What Kind Of Chicken For Tenders?
You may have guessed from the name, that we usually use chicken tenderloins for tenders. This is not the same cut as chicken breasts, but is actually a smaller (and more tender!) piece of meat with great flavor.
If you don’t have tenderloins, you can absolutely use boneless skinless chicken breasts instead. You’ll want to cut them into smaller chicken strips first, or adjust the timing to account for the thicker pieces.
Tips For Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Chicken tenders are so great when cooked in the air fryer. No crazy amounts of oil needed. No turning on the oven and heating up the whole house. Chicken tenders in the air fryer are done in just 10 minutes and they’re deliciously crispy, moist, and ready for dipping.
I tested out a few variations but the best method is using panko breadcrumbs instead of all-purpose flour or even almond flour.
You also want to make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary. Keep them in a single layer, so each tender gets wonderfully crispy and golden.
Air fryer temperatures vary so make sure each chicken tender is cooked through by checking the internal temperature before serving.
Serving Chicken Tenders
Serve this air fryer chicken tenderloins with the dipping sauce of your choice! Any kind of BBQ sauce is great, but I also love a good honey mustard and ketchup is always a favorite with kids.
You can air fry French fries to go along with the chicken or switch it up with sweet potato fries. If you want a veggie side without extra cooking, try this Asian Broccoli Salad.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
If you love how quick and easy it is to cook chicken in the air fryer, you’ll love putting all these recipes into the regular rotation.
- Air Fryer Chicken Burgers
- Stuffed Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Crispy Wings
- Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
Podcast Episode: Making Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Listen to me explain briefly about how to make this recipe, with some great tips along the way, by clicking the play button below:
Listen to more Recipe of the Day episodes here.
Print
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
DESCRIPTION
Just wait ’til your family tries these chicken tenders. You’ll be using your air fryer to make them every week.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. paprika
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp. onion powder
- 1 lb. chicken tenderloins
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Heat air fryer to 400°F. Spray the basket with cooking spray.
- In a bowl, stir together panko, salt, paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. In another bowl, whisk egg. Set aside.
- Pat chicken dry with a paper towel. Dredge the chicken first in egg then in the bread crumb mixture, making sure each tender is well coated. Place them in the air fryer. Do not overcrowd, only cook 3-4 at a time.
- Cook for 10 minutes, flipping once at 5 minutes. Repeat with remaining chicken tenders until they have all been cooked through. Serve with your favorite sauce. Enjoy!
Love this recipe? I’d appreciate it if you could scroll down and add a *5 star rating* to help others know they’ll love it as well!
This post originally appeared in December 2018 and was revised and republished in September 2024.
Going to give these a try and wondering if I can dip them in egg and bread them ahead of time and keep in fridge until cooking time?
Nettie, Yes, you can. In fact, it actually helps the breadcrumbs to stick. Great question!
Quick easy and quite tasty! You have listed this as an appetizer, but it made a wonderful light lunch served with cut fresh fruit, and a sparkling wine with friends. Thank you
That sounds wonderful, Thomas! And you’re right, while it makes a nice snack/appetizer, it’s also really nice as part of a meal. Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Very good! We added Italian seasoning to the seasoning mix. Fast and easy and family said make again!
Thank you, Sarah! I’m so happy everyone loved it.
I still haven’t found directions on how to cook chicken tenders in an air fryer yet! Too late to cook them for dinner now! Would love to find the recipe!
I’m sorry, I don’t understand, Loretta. The recipe for air fryer chicken tenders is on this page.
super easy to prepare and really delicious!
If I had a tail I’d be wagging it!😇😇😅😅😅😅
I’m so glad you loved it, Maureen! If you have a moment, I’d appreciate you adding a 5 star rating to the recipe, which helps others find it too. Thank you!
I have not tried it just yet but will give it a go it. looks very good what are
panko breadcrumbs I have not heard of them before?
Sue, there’s an explanation of what Panko Breadcrumbs are here https://www.tastingtable.com/1160134/the-real-difference-between-panko-and-regular-bread-crumbs/ essentially, they’re larger, crispier breadcrumbs. If you go to the grocery store and look for the regular breadcrumbs, they’ll be near there and they will be labeled Panko Breadcrumbs.
Thank you so much!
Always have a hard time keeping the “breading” on and having THEM COME OUT CRISPY!
These were GREAT!!!
Will only make them this way from now on~
You’re welcome, Lacy! I’m so glad it helped you out.