Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
These air fryer chicken tenders are perfectly crispy on the outside even without deep frying! The secret is double-dredging and fantastically crunchy panko.
There’s a lot to love about these air fryer chicken tenders, but the very best thing is the perfectly seasoned coating, which delivers a satisfying crunch and lots of flavor with every bite.
The chicken tenders are dredged in the flour and seasonings, then dipped in an egg and buttermilk mixture, and THEN dredged a second time in a mixture of panko and Parmesan. This process ensures that the coating sticks to the chicken and keeps it from getting soggy.
Just like the best fast food chicken tenders (and my Copycat Chick-fil-a Nuggets), these are crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. And using an air fryer means you can achieve all of the crispiness of fried chicken tenders without the mess and oil!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need for this recipe. For the full measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Tenders – You can substitute the tenders with boneless chicken breasts cut into strips.
- All-Purpose Flour – Used for coating the chicken to help the panko mixture stick.
- Seasonings – Onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and cayenne. You can use less cayenne if you’re making these air fryer chicken tenders for kids.
- Egg – This helps bind the coating to the chicken.
- Buttermilk – Buttermilk tenderizes the chicken and adds moisture. Regular milk with a splash of vinegar can work as a substitute. Learn more: How to Make Buttermilk
- Panko Bread Crumbs – The fantastic crunchy coating!
- Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese – I love the depth this adds; the nutty flavor plays well with the toasty panko.
- Olive Oil or Cooking Spray – You need a little bit to achieve crispy-crunchiness in the air fryer.
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for full printable instructions.
- Prepare. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and prep your dredging stations: the Parm and panko in one bowl, the egg and buttermilk with salt and pepper in another, and the cayenne and seasonings in a third.
- Dredge the chicken. Coat the chicken in flour, dip in the egg mixture, then coat with the panko mixture, pressing gently. Set the dredged chicken on a lined baking sheet and spray with oil.
- Air fry. Cook in the air fryer at 395°F for 5 minutes, flip, then air fry for 4 more minutes until golden and crispy. Serve immediately.
I love this Air Fryer because it’s easy to use, easy to clean and has 9 different cooking modes. The price is right, too!
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Tips for Making Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
These tips will help ensure your air fryer chicken tenders turn out perfectly crispy and delicious every time!
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer, leaving space between each piece so there’s room for the hot air to circulate. This ensures maximum crispiness!
- Pat the chicken dry. Before coating the chicken, use a paper towel to pat it dry. This helps the flour adhere better.
- Check for doneness. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. This helps you avoid under- or over-cooking the chicken tenders in the air fryer.
Dipping Sauce Ideas
While ketchup is a classic for many kids, if you’re looking for something a little more flavorful, try one of these homemade options:
- Polynesian Sauce
- Chick Fil A Sauce
- Spicy Barbecue Sauce
- Ranch Dressing
- French Fry Sauce
- Honey Mustard
Serving Suggestions
Dipping is a no-brainer, but if you’re looking for other ways to serve these crispy air fryer chicken tenders, here’s some more dinner inspo:
- Salads. Slice the tenders and layer them onto a salad. They’d be great in a Cobb Salad!
- Sliders. Layer them with tomatoes, lettuce, and mayo for simple chicken sliders.
- Wraps. Wrap the tenders in a tortilla with lettuce, shredded cheese, and a dollop of your favorite sauce. Just like a Chick-fil-A Cool Wrap!
Storage and Reheating
These air fryer chicken tenders are best eaten right away—and if your family is anything like mine, they probably will be. But if you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat and maintain their crispiness, use an air fryer set to 375°F for 3-4 minutes or until heated through. Avoid microwaving, which will make the coating soggy and the chicken rubbery.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
- Chicken Katsu
- BBQ Chicken Breasts
- Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
- Roasted Chicken Provencal
- Sweet and Spicy Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Chicken Paprikash
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Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken tenders
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp italian seasoning
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp ground pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper optional
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 3 tablespoons buttermilk
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- olive oil or cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer to 400˚F.
- In a small shallow bowl, whisk together the parmesan cheese and panko bread crumbs.
- In a separate shallow bowl, whisk together egg and 3 tablespoons buttermilk. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a third shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, cayenne (you can omit this if sensitive to spice), garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
- Dredge the chicken tenders first in the flour mixture, then the egg wash and finally the panko crumbs pressing gently to help the crumbs stick to the chicken.
- Arrange the chicken on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment and coated with cooking spray.
- Drizzle the chicken with a small amount of olive oil or coat with cooking spray.
- Air fry the chicken strips at 395˚F for 5 minutes. Flip the chicken over carefully with tongs or a spatula and air fry for another 4 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer to a platter and serve immediately.