How to Cook Juicy and Crispy Chicken Tenders in an Air Fryer: The Ultimate Guide

Cooking chicken tenders in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious meal. Air frying chicken tenders produces crispy, crunchy chicken with a tender, juicy interior in a fraction of the time and with less oil than deep frying.

With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy restaurant-quality chicken tenders cooked to crispy golden perfection in your own home. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about making mouthwatering chicken tenders in an air fryer.

Benefits of Cooking Chicken Tenders in an Air Fryer

Air frying chicken tenders offers many benefits:

• Quick cooking time – Chicken tenders cook fast in an air fryer, usually within 10-15 minutes. This makes air frying ideal for quick weeknight meals.

• Reduced oil and calories – Air frying uses significantly less oil than deep frying, resulting in chicken that is lower in fat and calories.

• Crispy outside—The hot air moving around the chicken tenders makes a deliciously crunchy outside crust.

• Juicy interior – The tender chicken stays moist and flavorful on the inside

• Versatile – Chicken tenders cooked in an air fryer work for any meal and pair well with an array of sauces and sides.

• Easy cleanup – With minimal oil, air frying makes cleanup a breeze compared to deep frying.

Air Fryer Cooking Times for Chicken Tenders

The exact time it takes to cook chicken tenders in an air fryer depends on how thick the tenders are and the wattage of your model. However, these general guidelines will help you achieve perfect results:

• Fresh chicken tenders – 10-12 minutes at 400°F (204°C)
• Frozen chicken tenders – 12-15 minutes at 390°F (199°C)

Make sure to flip the chicken tenders over halfway through the cooking time so that they brown evenly. Also, keep an eye on them near the end to make sure they don’t get too done.

Step-by-Step Guide to Air Frying Chicken Tenders

Follow these simple steps for crispy, juicy chicken tenders every time:

1. Prepare the Chicken Tenders

• Trim any excess fat or sinew from the chicken tenders.
• Pat the tenders dry thoroughly with paper towels. Any moisture on the surface can prevent crisping.

2. Season the Chicken (Optional)

• For added flavor, season the chicken tenders with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or any of your favorite spices.

3. Coat the Tenders (Optional)

• For crisper chicken, coat with a breading like panko breadcrumbs, plain breadcrumbs, or flour.
• Dip tenders in egg wash then breadcrumbs for a restaurant-style coating.

4. Arrange Tendsers in the Fryer Basket

• Make sure not to overcrowd the basket. Leaving space allows for maximum airflow and even cooking.
• Work in batches if needed to avoid crowding.

5. Air Fry the Chicken Tenders

• Set air fryer temperature to 400°F (204°C) for fresh tenders, or 390°F (199°C) for frozen.
• Air fry for 5-6 minutes then flip and cook 5-6 minutes more until crispy and cooked through.
• Frozen tenders will need 12-15 minutes total, flipping halfway.

6. Check Internal Temperature

• Chicken is safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
• Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness if unsure.

7. Let Sit for 2-3 Minutes

• Allowing the chicken to rest off heat for a few minutes will keep it juicy.

8. Serve and Enjoy!

• Toss chicken tenders in your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy with your choice of sides.

Tips for Extra Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

If you love ultra crispy chicken tenders, these tips will help maximize the crisp factor:

• Use a breading – The coating helps seal in moisture and provides crunch.

• Spray with oil – Lightly misting the tenders with oil before air frying promotes browning.

• Preheat properly – Allow the air fryer to fully preheat before adding chicken for immediate crisping.

• Don’t overcrowd – Leave space between each tender so air circulates evenly.

• Give it a shake – Halfway through, shake the basket to expose all sides to the hot air.

• Pat dry – Drying the tenders thoroughly before breading helps the coating stick better.

Best Breading Combinations for Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Breading adds flavor and crunch to chicken tenders. Try these yummy breading ideas:

• Panko breadcrumbs – The Japanese breadcrumbs yield an ultra-crispy crust.

• Flour + panko – For double crunchy texture, coat in flour then panko crumbs.

• Cornflake crumbs – Crushed cornflakes make a crispy, gluten free breading.

• Parmesan cheese – Grated parmesan adds rich, nutty flavor to coatings.

• Italian seasoned panko – Infuse garlic, onion, and herb flavors right into the crumbs.

• Cajun seasoning – Cajun spice blend kicks up the breading with spicy flair.

• Ranch dressing mix – For an easy creamy coating, use dry ranch dressing mix.

Feel free to get creative and combine herbs, spices, nuts, seeds, and more into your own signature breading blend.

Healthy Air Fryer Chicken Tender Ideas

If you’re looking for healthier options, try these modifications:

• Use olive oil or avocado oil spray instead of heavy breading.

• Opt for lighter breadcrumbs like panko or gluten-free varieties.

• Season simply with salt, pepper, and garlic powder instead of heavy coatings.

• Pair with fresh veggie sides like broccoli or sweet potato fries.

• Skip the dipping sauce and use lower calorie garnishes like salsa or chimichurri.

• Make your own healthy marinades using Greek yogurt or citrus juices.

Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Chicken tenders are extremely versatile. Here are tasty ways to serve them:

As an Entree

• Pair with classic sides like fries, coleslaw, mac and cheese or rice.

• Offer an assortment of dipping sauces like honey mustard, ranch, BBQ, buffalo, or sweet chili sauce.

In Salads or Wraps

• Dice and add to fresh green or grain salads for protein.

• Include in lettuce wraps or sandwiches for a lighter lunch.

With Waffles or Pancakes

• For breakfast or brinner, serve chicken tenders alongside waffles or pancakes.

• Drizzle with maple syrup for a sweet touch.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Have leftover chicken tenders? Here’s how to store and reheat them:

• Once the tenders are fully cooled, put them in the fridge in a container with a lid for up to 4 days.

• For longer storage, freeze cooked chicken tenders for up to 3 months.

• To reheat, place tenders in a 400°F oven or toaster oven until heated through, about 4-5 minutes.

• Alternatively, re-air fry at 350°F for a few minutes to restore their signature crispiness.

• Microwaving is not recommended, as it can make the breading soggy.

Air frying chicken tenders results in crispy, crunchy chicken with a juicy interior in record time. With just a few easy steps and about 10-15 minutes cook time, you can enjoy restaurant-quality tenders from the comfort of home.

Experiment with different seasonings and breading combinations to discover your favorite flavors. Air fried chicken tenders make for a quick, delicious dinner, or pair them with waffles and syrup for a fun breakfast-for-dinner.

So preheat your air fryer, grab a batch of fresh or frozen tenders, and get ready to be amazed by how crispy and juicy they turn out. Air frying makes whipping up these tasty, chicken finger favorites an absolute breeze.