These crowd pleasing Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are a wonderful weeknight dinner option that the whole family is guaranteed to enjoy! The end result is a perfectly juicy interior and an extra crispy exterior to dip in your favorite sauce (like my Raising Cane’s Sauce) or enjoy on their own!.
Air fryers have become an increasingly popular kitchen appliance for their ability to make deliciously crispy foods like chicken tenders using little to no oil. Determining the right temperature setting is key to getting the ideal texture when cooking chicken tenders in an air fryer. After testing different temperatures, the consensus is that 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 205°C) delivers optimal results.
Here’s a detailed look at how temperature impacts the cooking process and tips for achieving perfectly crispy, juicy chicken tenders using an air fryer:
Why Temperature Matters for Air Frying Chicken Tenders
Temperature directly affects the crispiness and doneness of chicken cooked in an air fryer. Setting the temperature too low can lead to undercooked, soggy tenders. Meanwhile, excessively high heat can make the exterior too crunchy while drying out the interior.
The hot air rapidly circulates around the food in an air fryer, quickly browning and cooking the surface. Higher temperatures speed this process. However, going above 400°F (205°C) runs the risk of overcooking before the interior reaches the safe minimum temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Between 375°F and 400°F (190°C to 205°C) hits the sweet spot for achieving crispy exteriors and thoroughly cooked juicy interiors when cooking chicken tenders. Let’s explore why this temperature range works so well.
Benefits of Cooking Chicken Tenders at 375°F to 400°F
1 Crispier crust The hotter air circulating at these temperatures rapidly dehydrates the exterior of the chicken, facilitating browning reactions that create a crispier crust
2. Cutting down on cooking time: These mid-range fryer temperatures make cooking go faster. Higher heat speeds the cooking process.
3. Retains moisture: While hot enough to crispen the outside, these temperatures are not so high as to overcook and dry out the interior before it is fully cooked.
4. Allows seasoning penetration: Shorter cooking times at these temperatures ensure seasonings and coatings have less time to burn or fall off, infusing flavors more deeply.
5. Consistent results: This temperature window will consistently produce browned, textured exteriors and moist interiors when frying chicken tenders.
Tips for Cooking Chicken Tenders at the Ideal Temperature
Follow these handy tips to successfully achieve tender, juicy chicken tenders with crispy exteriors using your air fryer set between 375°F and 400°F (190°C and 205°C):
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Preheat the air fryer for 3-5 minutes before cooking. This lets the fryer reach the temperature it was set to faster and more evenly.
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Use a meat thermometer to check doneness, not just time. Chicken is safely cooked at 165°F (74°C).
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Flip tenders halfway through cooking to promote browning and heat exposure on all sides.
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Avoid overcrowding to enable proper air circulation for crisping.
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Lightly brush tenders with oil to enhance browning without the excess oil of deep frying.
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Bread or coat lightly for extra crunch but avoid thick batters that can insulate.
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Let cooked tenders rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow moisture to redistribute.
Ideal Air Fryer Chicken Tender Cooking Times
The model and size of your air fryer can affect the cooking time a little. But if you cook at 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 205°C), the food will take about:
- Fresh chicken tenders: 10-15 minutes
- Frozen chicken tenders: 15-20 minutes
For especially thick fresh tenders, the maximum cook time may be up to 17 minutes. Frozen extra large tenders may need up to 22 minutes to fully cook through. Always cut into a few pieces to check they have reached 165°F (74°C) internally.
Getting the Perfect Crispy yet Tender Results
If you set your air fryer to the right temperature, it’s easy to make crispy chicken tenders that look like they came from a restaurant. If you know how temperature affects the air fryer and follow the tips above, it will be easy to cook chicken tenders until they are perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Set your air fryer between 375°F and 400°F (190°C to 205°C), avoid overcrowding, flip halfway, and use a meat thermometer. In just 10-20 minutes, you can enjoy the ideal balance of crunchy exterior and moist interior in air fried chicken tenders. Ditch the deep fryer and enjoy your new favorite way of cooking crispy chicken tenders to perfection in your home kitchen air fryer.
Season The Panko Breadcrumbs
Add the remaining seasoning mix to a tray of panko breadcrumbs. Mix the spices with your hands into the panko breadcrumbs so they are evenly distributed.
Why You Should Brine Your Chicken
To me, there is nothing worse than a dry, under seasoned chicken tender (we’ve all had them!). Brining means to submerge meat in a seasoned water solution for that meat to absorb which keeps it juicy and flavorful. While this step can be optional if you are short on time, I highly recommend you brine your chicken for two reasons:
- The chicken soaks up the brining solution, which adds water to the meat and keeps it extra juicy while it’s air-frying.
- Because brining the chicken adds extra moisture, you can air fry the outside for longer and at a higher temperature, giving the outside a crispy finish while keeping the chicken moist inside.
If you are short on time or don’t want to deal with the extra water or bowl, at a minimum I suggest sprinkling the chicken with a 2:1 ratio of salt and sugar and letting that absorb into the chicken while you prepare the other ingredients. It will make a difference!.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
FAQ
What temperature do you air fry chicken tenders at?
Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) according to manufacturer’s instructions. Meanwhile, combine flour, paprika, parsley, seasoned salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Beat egg in a separate bowl. Dredge each chicken tender in seasoned flour.
How long should you air fry chicken at 375 degrees?
Place the chicken in the air fryer and cook at 375 degrees F for 7 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 7 minutes. Check the temperature of the chicken by sticking a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the largest breast. If the temperature reads 165 degrees F, the chicken is done.
Can you cook chicken tenders in an air fryer?
If you want to make chicken tenders in an air fryer, cook them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for mouthwatering results. When you cook chicken tenders in an air fryer at 400 degrees, you can expect perfectly baked tenders that are crispy and golden in color. If you cooked them correctly, you should be able to hear a crunch when you take a bite.
What temperature should chicken tenders be air fried?
The air fryer itself is not really made to retain moisture, so the higher the temperature, the less juicy your chicken tenders will be. But if you are in a hurry though, 425 degrees might be the perfect option for you to get these strips air fried fast.
How do you cook tenders in an air fryer?
You can let the tenders dry out further by placing the plate with the raw, breaded tenders in front of a fan for five minutes. As long as the air fryer is set to the right temperature, and you spray the basket and top of the tenders with cooking spray, they should get crispy.
Can you cook chicken in an air fryer?
For even cooking, remember to preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken. Don’t use aluminum foil in your air fryer either, as it prevents the air from circulating, leaving you with soggy strips. Shake or flip the tenders halfway through cooking to achieve an all-over crispiness.
How long to air Fry frozen chicken tenders?
That being said, the average time to air fry frozen chicken tenders at 400 degrees is about 14-16 minutes. To make sure the chicken is cooked all the way through, I always aim for the higher end of what the recipe says. This timing is regardless whether these frozen chicken strips were uncooked or cooked previously.
How do you cook chicken Tenderloin in an air fryer?
Batter Up! Dip each chicken tenderloin in flour; shake off excess. Dip in the buttermilk mixture; let excess drip off. Then coat in the breadcrumbs, flipping and gently pressing a few times until the whole surface is covered. Set aside and repeat with all the chicken tenderloins. Place in Air Fryer.