Feel like a kid again with my easy recipe for naturally gluten-free Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins! These crispy, sweet n’ savory, golden brown air-fried chicken tenders are perfect for adding protein to any meal, but are also ideal for dunking in ketchup or BBQ sauce. Just as quick as fast food, but so much healthier!.
Chicken tenderloins, which are also called chicken tenders or chicken strips, are a lean, tasty cut of meat that is great for air-frying. When cooked right in an air fryer, the outside gets crispy and golden brown while the inside stays soft and juicy.
But how long should you actually air fry chicken tenderloins to achieve this balance of textures? Here we’ll walk through everything you need to know to air fry chicken tenderloins to crispy juicy perfection.
What Are Chicken Tenderloins?
Chicken tenderloins are long, thin strips of meat that come from the underside of chicken breast.
Unlike chicken breasts which can dry out easily, tenderloins have less connective tissue and fat so they cook up super quick and stay nice and moist. This makes them an ideal choice for the air fryer.
Chicken tenderloins can be bought with or without the breast. They are sometimes sold together. Also, chicken breasts can be easily cut into strips along their length to make your own tenderloins.
If you air fry plain chicken tenderloins instead of nuggets or tenders that have already been breaded, you get a healthier, lower-carb option that is great for keto, gluten-free, or paleo diets. They make the ultimate easy, everyday air fryer recipe.
How Long to Air Fry Chicken Tenderloins
The exact air fry time for chicken tenderloins can vary slightly depending on the size and thickness of the strips, as well as your model of air fryer.
However, on average expect chicken tenderloins to take 10-15 minutes at 400°F in the air fryer.
Here are more specific guidelines for air fry times based on tenderloin thickness:
- Thin tenderloins, 1/2 inch thick or less: 7-10 minutes
- Medium tenderloins, around 3/4 inch thick: 10-12 minutes
- Thick tenderloins, 1 inch or more: 12-15 minutes
No matter what size your tenderloins are, you’ll want to flip the chicken halfway through the air fry time to ensure even cooking.
Additionally, always use an instant read thermometer to make sure the chicken has reached 165°F inside when it’s done.
Tips for Air Frying Chicken Tenderloins
Follow these simple tips for ensuring your air fried chicken tenderloins turn out crispy, cooked through, and juicy every time:
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Don’t overcrowd the basket – Air fry chicken tenderloins in a single layer, being careful not to overfill the basket. Overcrowding leads to uneven cooking.
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Brush with oil – Lightly coat the raw chicken with oil before air frying. This helps the tenders get extra crispy.
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Flip halfway – Flipping the tenderloins midway through cook time guarantees they brown evenly on both sides.
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Use a thermometer – Checking temperature is the only foolproof way to confirm doneness and prevent overcooking.
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Let rest before serving – Let chicken tenderloins rest 5 minutes after air frying before digging in. This allows juices to redistribute.
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Reheat gently – To reheat leftover air fried chicken tenderloins, use the oven or toaster oven to avoid drying them out.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins
Ready to whip up a batch of perfectly air fried chicken tenders at home? Follow these simple steps:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins
- 1 Tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1⁄2 tsp salt
- 1⁄4 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
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Pat chicken tenderloins dry with paper towels. Place in a medium bowl.
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Drizzle chicken with oil and sprinkle with desired seasonings. Toss to coat evenly.
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Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Add chicken to basket in a single layer without overcrowding.
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Air fry for 7-8 minutes then flip and air fry 7-8 minutes more until chicken is 165°F internally.
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Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest 5 minutes before serving.
That’s it! With just a few simple ingredients and 10-15 minutes of air fry time, you can enjoy tender, juicy, crispy air fried chicken tenderloins any night of the week.
Common Questions about Air Frying Chicken Tenderloins
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about cooking chicken tenderloins in the air fryer:
Should you flip chicken tenderloins when air frying?
Yes, flipping the chicken tenderloins halfway through the air fry time is highly recommended. This guarantees the chicken browns evenly on both sides.
Can you air fry chicken tenderloins from frozen?
Absolutely! Add an extra 3-5 minutes of cook time if starting with frozen chicken tenderloins. And as always, check internal temp.
What temperature do you cook chicken tenderloins to?
Chicken is safely cooked and ready to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Track this with an instant read thermometer.
Can you bread chicken tenderloins before air frying?
Breading adds flavor and crunch! For best results, bread tenderloins using a three-step breading procedure before air frying as usual.
What can I serve with air fried chicken tenderloins?
The possibilities are endless! Air fried chicken tenderloins pair nicely with dipping sauces, salads, roasted veggies, potatoes, grains, and pastas.
How long do air fried chicken tenderloins last in the fridge?
Properly stored in an airtight container, cooked air fried chicken tenderloins will keep for 3-4 days refrigerated. Reheat gently before serving.
The Perfect Air Fried Chicken Tenderloins
Air frying chicken tenderloins results in healthier, crispier, juicier chicken than takeout or frozen varieties. Simply coat, air fry 10-15 minutes, and enjoy!
Monitor thickness and internal temp rather than cook times for best results. And be sure to brush with oil, flip halfway, and don’t crowd the basket.
Air fried chicken tenderloins make for a quick and easy dinner, snack, salad topper, or sandwich filler the whole family will love.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- These yummy chicken tenderloins are perfect for meal prep. You are welcome to add them to the spice
- You can also freeze chicken tenderloins that aren’t cooked for up to 3 months. To avoid freezer burn, make sure to squeeze out all the extra air in your freezer bags. TIP: If you only want to take out one tenderloin at a time, marinate the chicken for 24 hours and then freeze it in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once they’re completely frozen, put them in a freezer bag and press all the air out of it. Take that, Tyson!.
- Chicken tenders cooked in an air fryer will last up to 5 days in the fridge if they are stored in a container that keeps air out. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Before cooking frozen chicken tenders, you can either let them defrost overnight in the fridge OR, if you frozen them one at a time, you can put them in the air fryer right away without letting them defrost first. Cook them for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until they reach 165F on the inside if you choose the second method.
- You can either warm up cooked chicken tenderloins that you have left over in a toaster oven or oven set to 200F, or you can put them in the microwave. They’re also great cold! .
Chicken tenderloins, often called chicken tenders, are super tender strips of meat that are found just beneath the breast meat. They’re actually a part of the chicken breast, but are kind of their own thing because they’re more tender and, honestly, quicker to cook. They’re perfect for when you want something juicy and flavorful but are in a bit of a rush. Whether you’re breading them, grilling, or tossing them in the air fryer like we do here, they’re super versatile and a total crowd-pleaser! ✨.
For sure! Air fryers work the same way as convection ovens — blowing hot air around the food. Just like baking your chicken from raw is safe, so too is air frying it!.
I like air frying my chicken tenderloins at 400F to get them nice and crispy. In my air fryer, it takes about 7-9 minutes to cook them to perfection at this temp.
It honestly depends on the recipe. Since there is no breading on these chicken tenders, they are naturally gluten-free. They are also very high in protein and what I’d call “clean eats.” But if you’re reaching for pre-deep-fried chicken tenders from a bag, they’re likely less healthy thanks to cheap, inflammatory oils, preservatives, lots of refined sugars, etc.
You sure can! Just make sure they’re in a single layer without any overlap so the air can cook them evenly. You’ll need to add about 5-ish minutes to the cook time if you opt to cook from frozen.
Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptations
I personally think these are the best air fryer chicken tenders around, but there are TONS of ways to make them your own. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
- Brown sugar, smoked paprika, and chili powder should not be used on Italian chicken tenderloins. Instead, use Italian seasoning.
- Cajun Chicken Tenderloins: Use your favorite Cajun blend, like Tony Chachere’s or Slap Ya’ Mama, instead of your own spice mix.
- If you want extra-crispy chicken tenders, take a cue from my oven-baked chicken cutlets recipe and follow the standard three-step breading process.
- BBQ Chicken Tenders: Use the same marinade or spice mix, but brush the tenders with barbecue sauce before baking. It’s wonderful how the sauce gets sticky and brown in the air fryer.
- Any Flavor Chicken Tenders: You can play around with the spice mix or use mixes that come in a package to save time. That way, you can change these chicken breast tenderloins for the air fryer to fit your needs. If you want to make curry chicken, rice bowls with teriyaki marinade, or my fake McDonald’s chicken ranch snack wrap with a fun twist, use Indian masalas.
Did you come up with a brilliant twist on this air fryer chicken breast tender recipe? Let me know in the comments below or tag me on the socials so I can cheer you on!.
While it’s not hard to air fry chicken breast tenders to perfection, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Think Like A Manicurist and coat your chicken very thoroughly. For every bite, you want seasoning, so make sure there are no bare chicken spots.
- Marinade Magic: You can let the chicken chill out for as long as you want because this marinade doesn’t have any acid in it. (If chicken sits in an acidic marinade for more than 24 hours, it can become mushy.) ) That makes this recipe perfect for meal prep!.
- Fun in the Freezer: Mix the spice mix and olive oil in a gallon-sized freezer bag, then put the chicken in it. To make sure the chicken is well covered, squish the bag around a bit. Then, squeeze out the air, seal the bag, and freeze it for a rainy day! When you need a quick meal, just defrost the bag in a bowl of cool water for about 30 minutes.
- Know Your Air Fryer: Each one cooks food in a unique way, so keep an eye on it and don’t cook it too long. These air-fried chicken tenderloins are made with white meat chicken that is lean, so they will tend to dry out. If you want to get a sense of how fast your machine works, check to see if it’s done after 5 minutes.
- Remove the tendon from the chicken tenderloins if they come with one. It’s not dangerous, but it’s tough, so I like to take it off first. This is the best way to do it! .
