Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are a firm family favorite, and hands down delicious! Super crunchy on the outside and perfectly juicy and tender, kids of all ages love these!
Why We Love This Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
As a busy mom of two, this quick and simple (and healthier) chicken tenders recipe is requested time and time again. Here’s why:
- Easy. With just 5 ingredients, this recipe comes together in no time!
- Healthy. Skip all that high-fat oil and use the air fryer instead.
- Less Mess. No need to worry about oil splatters all over your freshly-cleaned kitchen.
Variations
- Seasonings: You can also change up the flavor by adding different seasonings to the breadcrumbs, such as Italian, herbs de Provence, taco seasoning, cajun seasoning, or blackened seasoning.
- Sauces: You could also toss the cooked tenders in a sauce, such as Buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, or teriyaki sauce.
Leftovers
Store leftover air fryer chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat them in the air fryer at 375°F for about 4 minutes until warmed through. Add a few extra minutes if reheating from frozen.
Serving Suggestions
These air fried chicken tenders are great to serve as an appetizer with dips like BBQ, ketchup, Chick Fil A Sauce, ranch, and other sauces. They make a great topping for salads or mac and cheese. I also really love them in chicken and waffle casserole!
Top Reader Review
- “This recipe saved dinner tonight. So it may become a Monday tradition!” – JJ Nunez
More Chicken Tender Recipes We Love
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
Chicken tenders are a firm family favorite, and when cooked in the air fryer they are hands down delicious! Super crunchy on the outside! Step by step photos below the recipe card.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Total Time
: 18 minutes
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. The chicken tenders should be placed in a single layer, so cook them in two batches if needed.
- Panko breadcrumbs create a super crispy outside layer, but you can use normal breadcrumbs if that’s what you have.
- Check that the internal temperature of the tenders is at least 165°F before serving.
Storage: Store air fryer chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
Amount Per Serving (0.5 pound)
Calories 403
Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Trans Fat 0.04g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 245mg82%
Sodium 1163mg51%
Potassium 926mg26%
Carbohydrates 15g5%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 56g112%
Vitamin A 275IU6%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 134mg13%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Season the Chicken: Season 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken tenders with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Make a Dredging Station: Whisk 2 large eggs together in a shallow bowl. In a separate shallow bowl, combine 1¼ cups of Panko breadcrumbs and ⅓ cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
Dredge the Chicken: Dip each chicken tender into the egg mixture, then into the breadcrumbs to coat.
Cook the Tenders: Place the chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer with space between them. You may need to cook in batches. Air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes, flipping the tenders halfway through.
