If there’s one thing we love in the AllFoody kitchen, it’s making comfort food quicker, healthier, and full of flavor. That’s why we’re obsessed with air fryer chicken tenders. They’re crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and perfect for weeknights, lunchboxes, or even party platters. Inspired by Chef André’s childhood lunches—where tender, golden strips were a regular joy—this version skips the fryer but keeps all the crunch. With just a few ingredients and your air fryer, you’ll have a plate of homemade chicken tenders that beats anything from the freezer aisle.
The Story & Why You’ll Love Them
Why Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders at Home?
What makes air fryer chicken tenders better than pan-fried?
Chef André remembers those school days when his grandma would carefully wrap warm, golden chicken strips in foil and pack them in his lunchbox. By lunchtime, they were still crispy—thanks to her secret: a double coating of crumbs and love. Today, Chef André has upgraded that method using his favorite kitchen tool—the air fryer.
Air fryer chicken tenders are game changers. Why? Because they deliver the crispy chicken tenders you crave without the extra oil, mess, or calories. No deep fryer needed, no heavy breading, and no long preheat times. You’ll get that golden-brown exterior in under 10 minutes, and the inside stays perfectly moist.
Compared to pan-frying, air frying produces a more even crisp without the burnt bits or soggy patches. You also use far less oil—just a light spray is enough. That’s why these are not just delicious—they’re also part of many healthy air fryer recipes.
Want to take it further? Try dipping these in garlic aioli, hot honey, or classic ranch. Add a side of air fryer asparagus or sweet potato fries for a complete, satisfying meal.
Are they kid-friendly and customizable?
Absolutely. One of the biggest wins of air fryer chicken tenders is how kid friendly they are. Whether you’re feeding toddlers or teens, chicken tenders are a guaranteed hit. You can even let kids help by setting up a “dipping station” for breadcrumbs, herbs, or crushed cornflakes. It makes dinner prep a fun, hands-on activity.
Plus, this recipe is endlessly customizable. Looking for gluten free air fryer chicken? Swap breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free panko. Want something low carb? Skip the breading and season generously. Need more heat? Add cayenne or chili flakes.
This flexibility makes the tenders ideal for anyone looking for quick chicken recipes that don’t sacrifice flavor. You can even batch-cook and freeze them for easy weeknight dinners. The taste and texture hold up beautifully when reheated in the air fryer.
Ingredients & Prep Tips
What Do You Need to Make Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Tenders?
What are the core ingredients?
Making air fryer chicken tenders at home starts with simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. The goal is crispy, juicy, and flavorful — all without the heavy grease of deep frying. Here’s what you need for the perfect batch:
- Chicken tenderloins – These are already the perfect size, but you can also slice boneless chicken breasts into strips for easy chicken tenderloins.
- Buttermilk – It tenderizes the chicken and adds tang. For a dairy-free version, use almond milk with a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Breadcrumbs or panko – For classic air fryer breaded chicken, use seasoned breadcrumbs or a mix of panko and crushed cornflakes.
- Spices – Garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and onion powder are musts.
- Eggs – To bind the breading, especially if skipping buttermilk.
- Olive oil spray – This helps your tenders brown beautifully and stay crisp.
For a gluten free air fryer chicken option, swap breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free panko. You can even toss in ground flaxseed for extra crunch and fiber.
This recipe is highly flexible — perfect if you’re looking for a custom dinner solution for picky eaters or dietary needs.
And if you’ve got frozen chicken breasts, don’t worry. Follow our guide on how to boil chicken breast frozen and use it once thawed and sliced!
How should you prep chicken tenders for best results?
To get restaurant-style results at home, the preparation process is key.
Start by placing your chicken strips in a bowl of buttermilk and let them soak for at least 30 minutes. This step tenderizes the meat and infuses it with flavor.
Next, prepare a dredging station:
- Flour + spices
- Beaten eggs
- Seasoned breadcrumbs
Dip each tender in all three, then place them on a parchment-lined tray and let them rest for 5–10 minutes. This sets the coating and helps avoid soggy breading in the air fryer.
Just before cooking, spray the tenders lightly with oil on both sides. Avoid drenching them — a light mist is all you need to crisp the coating.
Chef André’s tip: always preheat the air fryer for even cooking. For best texture, cook your tenders in batches and don’t overcrowd the basket.
If you’re feeling creative, try mixing grated Parmesan into the breadcrumb layer. It adds richness and depth without extra effort.
For more smart air fryer hacks, see our recipe on air fryer crumbled tofu — it follows the same crispy logic!
Cooking Time & Mistakes to Avoid
How Long to Cook Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer?
What’s the ideal temperature and cook time for juicy results?
If you want crispy chicken tenders with juicy centers, timing and temperature are everything. Thankfully, air fryers make it easy to get consistent results with minimal effort.
For air fryer chicken tenders, set your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). This high heat creates a golden crust while locking in the moisture inside. Preheating is a must — just 3 minutes helps guarantee even cooking.
Place the tenders in a single layer in the basket. Cook them for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Smaller tenderloins may only need 7–8 minutes, while larger pieces can take closer to 12 minutes. Always check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) — the safe zone for poultry.
To keep things extra crispy, give the tenders a light oil mist after flipping. That added coat helps the crust brown evenly and gives that restaurant-quality texture you’re looking for.
Chef André’s favorite combo? Serve them hot over a bed of baby greens, drizzled with lemon aioli, next to a bowl of roasted Yukon Gold potatoes. It’s a simple, elegant meal ready in under 30 minutes.
Need speed and flavor? These tenders are one of the best quick chicken recipes to bookmark.
What common air fryer mistakes should I avoid?
Even the best recipes can flop with simple errors. Here are the top mistakes to watch out for when cooking air fryer chicken tenders:
- Overcrowding the basket – When tenders touch or stack, air can’t circulate, which leads to soggy breading. Cook in two batches if needed.
- Skipping the oil spray – Even with nonstick baskets, a mist of oil ensures even browning and avoids dry, chalky crumbs.
- Not flipping halfway – One-sided cooking results in uneven texture. Flip each tender for even color and crisp.
- Forgetting to preheat – A cold basket can shock the meat, creating a rubbery texture. Always preheat!
- Using wet breading – Let breaded tenders rest 5–10 minutes before frying. This dries the surface and helps the coating stick.
Following these steps will transform your tenders into the golden, crunchy bites you expect from top air fryer breaded chicken recipes.
Want to see a perfect flip technique? We cover that in our air fryer steak guide — same crisp logic, different protein.
Serving, Variations & Storage
How to Serve and Store Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
What are the best ways to serve chicken tenders?
Once your air fryer chicken tenders are golden, crisp, and ready to go, it’s time for the fun part — serving them up!
These tenders are more than just a snack. They can anchor a full meal, make a lunchbox favorite, or even elevate your game-day spread. One of the best things about them is how well they pair with different sides, dips, and sauces.
Classic serving ideas:
- Toss them in a large bowl with fresh herbs and pair them with air fryer asparagus or a garden salad.
- Add a side of garlic aioli, buffalo sauce, or honey mustard.
- Serve with fries, mac and cheese, or sweet potato wedges for a balanced air fryer dinner.
For a twist, layer the tenders in a wrap with coleslaw, avocado, and chipotle mayo. Or chop them up and add to a Caesar salad. They even make a great protein topper for grain bowls and tacos.
These are also excellent for quick lunches or last-minute dinners. Whether you’re feeding kids or adults, they fall under the best air fryer dinner recipes because they adapt to almost any dish or time of day.
And if you’re going gluten free, simply switch to almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs. The result is still tender, flavorful, and just as satisfying.
How should you store and reheat leftovers?
One more reason to love air fryer chicken tenders? They hold up beautifully for leftovers. Here’s how to store them properly to keep them crisp and safe:
- Refrigerate cooled tenders in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes. They regain their crispness without overcooking.
- Avoid microwaving — it makes the breading rubbery and soft.
- Freeze uncooked breaded tenders on a baking sheet for 1 hour, then transfer to a freezer bag. Cook straight from frozen by adding 3–4 extra minutes to the cook time.
Chef André’s time-saving tip: Batch-prep and freeze tenders in advance. That way, you’ve always got a go-to meal ready when dinner plans fall apart.
Perfect for meal prep or last-minute cravings, these tenders are truly one of the top quick chicken recipes to keep in your weekly rotation.
And don’t forget — they’re incredibly kid friendly chicken tenders, too. Pair with fruit slices and yogurt dip, and you’ve got a lunch they’ll ask for again and again.
Print
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders – Crispy, Juicy, Ready in 10 Minutes
These air fryer chicken tenders are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside — the perfect healthy and fast dinner recipe for families.
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
1 lb chicken tenderloins
1 cup buttermilk (or dairy-free alternative)
1 cup breadcrumbs or panko
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
2 large eggs
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Olive oil spray
Instructions
1. Place chicken tenderloins in a bowl with buttermilk and let marinate for 30 minutes.
2. Set up a breading station with three bowls: flour + spices, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs.
3. Dip each tender in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs, coating well.
4. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for 3 minutes.
5. Place tenders in the basket in a single layer. Lightly spray with oil.
6. Air fry for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and internal temp is 165°F.
7. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces or sides.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the basket. Cook in batches if needed.
For extra crisp, mix grated Parmesan with breadcrumbs.
Gluten-free? Use almond flour and gluten-free panko.
Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days; reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 min.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2-3 tenders
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
FAQ About Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Can I use frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer?
Yes, you can! Just increase the cook time by 3–4 minutes. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and cook until the internal temp hits 165°F. Frozen tenders may not crisp as well as fresh, but a light spray of oil helps.
What makes air fryer chicken tenders crispy?
The secret is a light oil mist and using panko or seasoned breadcrumbs. Letting breaded tenders rest before cooking also helps the coating adhere and crisp evenly.
Are these chicken tenders healthy?
Yes. Air fryer chicken tenders use very little oil and can be made with lean chicken breast, whole grain coating, or even gluten-free alternatives. They’re a solid pick among healthy air fryer recipes.
Can I make these chicken tenders gluten free?
Absolutely. Swap the flour and breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free panko. Be sure your spices and buttermilk alternative are also gluten-free.
✅ Conclusion
You don’t need a deep fryer or a fancy kitchen to make delicious air fryer chicken tenders. With just a few ingredients and your air fryer, you get juicy meat wrapped in a perfectly crispy shell — every time.
Whether you’re feeding picky kids, planning a quick dinner, or meal prepping for the week, this recipe delivers. It’s fast, flexible, and endlessly delicious. With a little help from Chef André and your air fryer, you’re just minutes away from golden, satisfying tenders you’ll make again and again.