Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
This post may contain affiliate links, read our disclosure policy.
Air fryer chicken tenders made from scratch are crispy, delicious, moist chicken strips with none of the deep fried guilt!
Homemade air fried chicken tenders are the perfect appetizer or dinner recipe! Serve them with smashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables. Don’t forget a slice of strawberry pie for dessert!
Save this recipe!
Save this recipe! Enter your email below and we’ll shoot it straight to ya!
I consent to receive email from this site 💌
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Click the button above to save this recipe!
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Ingredients
- Chicken – We used chicken breast tenderloins, but you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into strips as well.
- Flour – All purpose flour.
- Seasoning – Seasoned salt, salt, pepper.
- Eggs – Large eggs, beaten.
- Bread crumbs – Panko bread crumbs
- Oil – We used olive oil in an oil sprayer, but any vegetable oil will work. Make sure you’re able to spray a light even coat. Canned cooking spray also works well.
How do you make air fryer chicken tenders? (step-by-step)
⭐ First, preheat air fryer. While air fryer is heating up season the chicken with salt and pepper.
⭐ Next, mix together the flour and the seasoned salt and place in a shallow bowl.
⭐ Then, working in batches, coat each chicken tenderloin in flour, then dip in the beaten eggs, and then coat each side with the panko crumbs.
⭐ Finally, place the tenderloins in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook until crispy and cooked through, flipping halfway.
Preparation
Can you make air fryer chicken tenders in advance?
Yes, these can be made a few days ahead of time and enjoyed cold when you’re ready to eat or be reheated in the air fryer, toaster oven, or microwave.
What kind of chicken for air fryer chicken tenders?
We used chicken breast tenderloins, but you could also use boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into strips.
What kind of breadcrumbs for homemade air fryer chicken tenders?
We like a combination of all purpose flour + panko breadcrumbs for a super crispy coating.
Leftovers and storage
How long do air fried chicken tenders last?
Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for 3 – 4 days or longer in the freezer. Keep them in a sealed air tight container for best results.
How do you reheat air fryer chicken tenders?
Reheat in the air fryer at the same temp you cooked them initially. Cook for 4 – 6 minutes, or until crispy and warmed to your liking.
They can also be reheated the toaster oven or microwave.
Can you freeze air fryer chicken tenders?
Yes, if you’d like to freeze them, allow the tenders to cool, then place in a freezer safe, air tight container for 3 – 6 months.
For best results allow the tenders to cool to room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator for a few hours before wrapping in parchment and placing in a freezer safe container and freezing.
Tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions
🔥 Add a teaspoon of chipotle powder to the flour for a spicy chicken tender
🍗 Use gluten free flour and panko to make gluten free chicken tenders
🥖 Pile these into a sliced piece of French bread for chicken tenders subs
Frozen chicken tenders in air fryer
Don’t want to make them from scratch? No worries! You can cook frozen chicken tenders from the market in the air fryer too!
Place the frozen chicken strips in the air fryer (no oil necessary) preheated to 400F. Cook for 8 minutes, then flip and cook an additional 3 – 4 minutes until crispy and cooked through.
(This method can also be used for chicken tenders that you made from scratch ahead of time).
What to eat with air fryer chicken tenders (serving suggestions)
You’ll definitely want a good dipping sauce with these! I’m partial to homemade honey mustard, my husband likes bbq sauce, and my kids are definitely fans of ranch dressing.
As for sides, try baked beans and stovetop mac and cheese!
More amazing air fryer recipes
- Air fryer corn on the cob
- Air fryer sweet potato fries
- Air fryer crispy bacon
- Air fryer asparagus
- See all our air fryer recipes
Other chicken recipes to try
- Instant pot BBQ chicken
- Teriyaki chicken wings
- BBQ chicken taquitos
- Stove top pan seared chicken breast
- See all our chicken recipes!
Tools we love
- Digital air fryer – We have (pictured) this Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer. It’s great!
- Kitchen tongs – Every kitchen needs a good pair of tongs.
Get our FREE Easy Casseroles Ebook!
Follow us below!Use #mamalovesfood on Instagram!
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- salt & pepper to taste
- oil sprayer
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper, as desired. Mix together the flour and the seasoned salt and place in a shallow bowl.
- Working in batches, coat each chicken tenderloin in flour, then dip in the beaten eggs, and then coat each side with the panko crumbs.
- Spritz tenders on all sides with a light coat of oil.
- Place the tenderloins in a single layer in the air fryer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway.
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
Share it with me on Instagram and use the hashtag #mamalovesfood and follow on Pinterest for even more!
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Click the button above to save this recipe!
Get Our Free Easy Casseroles ebook!
Recipes in your inbox
(your email will never be sold!)
Let’s Connect!
Tag #mamalovesfood on Instagram!
Ooooh, these turned out so good and my boys said they want these from now on instead of me buying them. Haha! Thank you!
One of the best ways to cook chicken tenders! Thanks for sharing this easy recipe, we loved it and I can’t get enough of my air fryer!!
Oh my goodness! These chicken tenders were such a hit and very tasty! My family and I really enjoyed these today for lunch! Such an easy and delicious recipe. Iām so excited to make these again!
Thank you for this recipe. I just got an air fryer so looking forward to trying these. When do you use the oil? I couldn’t find any info on that in the recipe.
Thanks
Ack, I’m so sorry! Fixed the recipe card! š
I don’t have an air fryer and won’t be purchasing one. Is there any reason why this same recipe can’t be made in a skillet on the stove or baked in the oven or a toaster oven?
You can absolutely make this in a skillet or in the oven š