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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are a quick, delicious recipe featuring golden, crunchy exteriors and juicy, tender chicken inside. Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal oil, these tenders are perfect for a healthier snack, family meal, or party appetizer, delivering irresistible texture and flavor every time.

  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1 lb chicken tenders

Coating

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for variation)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs for variation)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika

Other

  • Cooking spray or a small amount of oil for air fryer

Instructions

  1. Prep Your Chicken: Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels to ensure the coating sticks well and crisps evenly.
  2. Set Up Your Breading Station: Place the flour in one shallow bowl, whisk the eggs in a second bowl, and combine panko breadcrumbs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a third bowl.
  3. Coat the Tenders: Dip each tender first into the flour, then into the egg wash, and finally into the seasoned panko crumbs, pressing lightly to fully cover each piece for maximum crunch.
  4. Air Fry to Perfection: Lightly spray the coated tenders with cooking spray, arrange them in a single layer in your air fryer basket, and cook at 400°F (204°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crispiness.
  5. Rest and Serve: Let the tenders rest for a couple of minutes after cooking so they stay juicy inside and extra crispy outside before serving.

Notes

  • Dry your chicken well before breading to achieve the best crispiness.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook tenders in batches if necessary to allow proper air circulation.
  • Use panko breadcrumbs for a superior crunchy texture.
  • Spray lightly with oil or cooking spray to help achieve a golden crust without deep frying.
  • Flip tenders halfway through cooking for even crispness on both sides.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 tenders (approx. 150g)
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 450mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 24g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, healthy chicken tenders, quick chicken recipe, gluten free chicken tenders