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Home » Air Fryer Recipes » Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Published on May 17, 2022 by Bintu. Leave a Comment

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Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are an incredibly crunchy and flavorful homemade version of every kid’s favorite restaurant meal. Save money and time by cooking in air fryer at home. Chicken tenders in air fryer are easy to make and are a serious upgrade from frozen chicken tenders. You won’t believe you can air fry your own chicken tenders that are so crunchy.

Post includes Weight Watchers points.

close up view of the completed air fryer chicken tenders with one dipped in ketchup

Air fryer chicken tenderloins are ideal for a weeknight meal and easy to make as an appetizer for a party. Everyone is going to love these air fryer chicken tenders. The incredible buttermilk marinade makes the air fryer chicken tenders juicy and gives them a wonderful flavor. A combination of flour and panko breadcrumbs gives you a crunch that is so satisfying it beats out any restaurant fried chicken or frozen chicken tenders alternative. 

Golden and crispy chicken tenders in air fryer cook in less than 12 minutes so you can get dinner on the table fast. This is one of our favorite air fryer chicken recipes, and it’s easy to add a few of your favorite sides to make a delicious meal.

Plus, you can reheat the leftover chicken tenders air fryer for a tasty snack or easy lunch option. Waste less food and stretch your budget even further. Air fryer chicken tenders aren’t greasy, and your whole family will love them. 

top down view of air fryer chicken tenders served on a white plate

Kids love fried chicken, and air fryer chicken fingers are perfect for dipping, so this will be one of their favorite air fryer recipes. 

Why Make This Recipe

  • Kid-Friendly – Kids love restaurant-style chicken tenders. Making air fryer chicken tenders at home will save money and time.
  • Healthier – Chicken tenders are often deep fried in unhealthy oils. Chicken tenders in air fryer use very little olive oil, so they are healthier but still taste great. Air frying is a great option for healthier fried foods.
  • Any Occasion – Chicken tenders air fryer cook quickly, so they are perfect for parties or gatherings, a weeknight meal or as a snack. Air fry chicken tenders for a tasty appetizer, or they can be paired with a few sides for a full meal. 

Ingredient Notes

  • Buttermilk – Buttermilk is used to marinate the air fryer chicken tenders so they are juicy and tender. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can mix 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice into 1 cup of milk and let it sit for a few minutes until it thickens slightly.  
  • Seasonings – a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, paprika powder, ground black pepper, and coriander season the marinade and the chicken.
  • Chicken – Purchase raw chicken tenders (also called chicken tenderloins), or you can slice chicken breast into tender-like strips. 
  • Vegetable oil – You will need at least 2 inches of vegetable oil to fry the chicken tenders. 
  • Coating – All-purpose flour and panko crumbs give these buttermilk fried chicken tenders a crispy, golden crust. You can use plain bread crumbs for the bread crumb mixture, but they will not get as crisp. 
the ingredients needed for making air fryer chicken tenders

How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Get full ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

  1. In a large bowl, whisk the buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, paprika, pepper and coriander.  Add the chicken and stir to coat all of the chicken pieces. 
  2. Cover the bowl and marinate the chicken tenders in the fridge for at least 1 hour or up to 6 hours.
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C.
  4. Set aside 1 ½ cups of the marinade and stir in ½ cup of the flour until combined. Discard the remaining marinade. 
  5. Add the remaining half cup of flour to a shallow bowl and the breadcrumbs to a separate bowl.
  6. One at a time, dip chicken tenders in flour, then dip each in the buttermilk mixture. Finally, dip it in the breadcrumbs, gently pressing more breadcrumbs on to coat the chicken completely.
  7. Place the chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spritz with olive oil spray. Cook in the air fryer for 9 – 12 minutes, turning halfway through. Cook until the chicken reaches 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C or until they turn a light golden color.
  8. Let them cool on a wire rack to keep them crispy.
  9. Serve with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley and lemon wedges if desired.
image collage showing some of the steps for making air fryer chicken tenders

Note: Always check air fryer chicken tenders for doneness with a meat thermometer and cook raw chicken to the appropriate temperature. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C when inserted into the thickest part of the chicken.

Tips For Success

  • If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own. Just mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice into 1 cup of milk and let it sit for a few minutes until it thickens slightly. 
  • Do not over-marinate the chicken. The tenders should not sit in the buttermilk chicken marinade for more than 6 hours, or the texture of the raw chicken can become mushy. 
  • Handle raw chicken carefully. Use a dedicated cutting board and clean your work surface thoroughly after handling raw chicken tenders. 
  • Lightly spray the air fryer chicken tenders with olive oil spray, cooking spray, or avocado oil spray to make the breadcrumb mixture golden brown. 
  • Place chicken tenders in a single layer so the hot air from the air fryer can circulate. 
  • Air fry chicken tenders in batches of 4-6. While they cook, keep the remaining chicken tenders warm in a low oven.
  • Always check air fryer chicken tenders for doneness with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C when inserted into the thickest part of the chicken.
  • Reheat air fryer chicken tenders in a 350 degree F / 180 degree C air fryer for 3-5 minutes or until crispy.
two of the air fryer chicken tenders

Variations

  • Customize The Seasoning – Your favorite blend of seasonings can add a whole new flavor to the chicken. Chili powder, Italian, Greek, cajun, lemon pepper, parmesan cheese, or ranch seasoning are all flavorful options. 
  • Spicy It Up – Make these chicken tenders in air fryer extra spicy by adding hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the marinade mixture. 
  • Make It Saucy – Serve Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with your favorite dipping sauces like a honey mustard dipping sauce, ranch dressing, or BBQ sauce. Or toss chicken tenders air fryer with your favorite saucy coatings like buffalo sauce or honey-chipotle sauce. 
  • Make it Gluten Free – You can swap in gluten free flour and GF panko bread crumbs to make this recipe gluten free. 

Budget-Friendly Tips 

  • Purchase In Bulk – Look for bulk packages of chicken tenders or purchase them on sale and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. Store frozen tenders in serving-size packages and defrost raw chicken tenderloins before continuing the recipe. 
  • Cut Tenders from Chicken Breasts – Pre-cut chicken tenders are a specific, tender portion of a chicken breast but can be higher in price. Purchase less expensive chicken breasts and cut them into strips like chicken tenders. 
  • Make A Meal – Add a few sides to make a meal or pile the chicken tenders on pasta, salad, or even pizza to further stretch your protein. 
close up view of air fryer chicken tenders being dipped in ketchup

Prep Ahead And Storage

  • Prep Ahead – Prepare the chicken marinade recipe in advance and marinate the chicken for a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 6 hours. 
  • Store – Chicken tenders air fryer can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Freeze – Freeze delicious air fryer chicken tenders for up to 3 months. Flash freeze the raw tenders or pre-cook them. To freeze, place the chicken tenders on a baking sheet before placing in a freezer bag. Cook frozen chicken tenders just as you would fresh chicken tenderloins adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time. Reheat chicken tenders for 3-5 minutes. 
  • Reheat – Preheat air fryer and reheat air fryer chicken tenders in a 350 degree F / 180 degree C air fryer for 3-5 minutes or until crispy. Follow the instructions in the original recipe to air fry raw frozen tenders. 
a serving utensil placing two air fryer chicken tenders onto a serving platter

Meal Prep

  • Enjoy air fryer chicken tenders for dinner and then eat the leftover chicken strips for up to 3 days. 
  • Slice and serve on salads or sandwiches for more meal options. 
  • Cold chicken tenders make a tasty lunch, but they can also be quickly reheated in the air fryer. 

FAQs

How Long To Cook Chicken Tenders In Air Fryer?

Set your air fryer to 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C and cook chicken tenders in air fryer for 9-12 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C and they turn a light golden color. You should turn the air fryer chicken tenders halfway through cooking.

Why Use A Buttermilk Marinade?

Buttermilk is slightly acidic and works as a wonderful marinade to make chicken tender and juicy. You can marinate the meat for as little as 30 minutes and up to 6 hours. By seasoning the buttermilk you can impart wonderful flavor to the chicken and since we also use the buttermilk to make a batter, that flavor is found in the crispy coating as well.

How To Make Buttermilk?

It’s easy to make a similar substitute with ingredients from your pantry if you don’t have buttermilk on hand. Combine 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or juice from a lemon with milk to make 1 cup. Allow the mixture to thicken slightly for a few minutes before proceeding with the recipe.

Can I Bake Chicken Tenders?

Baked chicken tenders will not be as crunchy as chicken tenders air fryer. They will be flavorful. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and top with an ovenproof wire rack. Place the breaded chicken onto the prepared baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and perfectly crispy.

one of the finished air fryer chicken tenders split in two pieces

More Recipes You May Like

  • Reheat Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer.
  • Frozen Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer.
  • Oven Baked Chicken Tenders.

Serving Suggestions

  • Smothered Green Beans.
  • Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
  • Rainbow Fruit Spritzer.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 7 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Get The Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe:

top down view of air fryer chicken tenders served on a white plate

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Crispy, crunchy fried chicken tenderloins.
Print Pin Rate Save RecipeSaved!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Marinating Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 317kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy | Budget Delicious

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (450g) buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ⅓ teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 ¼ pounds (567) chicken tenderloins
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour divided
  • 2 cups (120g) panko breadcrumbs

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, whisk the buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, paprika, pepper and coriander. Add the chicken and stir to coat all of the chicken pieces.
  • Cover the bowl and marinate the chicken tenders in the fridge for at least 1 hour or up to 6 hours.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C.
  • Set aside 1 ½ cups of the marinade and stir in ½ cup of the flour until combined. Discard the remaining marinade.
  • Add the remaining half cup of flour to a shallow bowl and the breadcrumbs to a separate shallow bowl.
  • One at a time, dredge the chicken tenders in flour then dip each in the buttermilk mixture. Finally dip it in the breadcrumbs, gently pressing more breadcrumbs on to coat the chicken completely.
  • Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket and spritz with olive oil spray. Cook in the air fryer for 9 – 12 minutes, turning halfway through. Let the chicken tenders cook until the chicken reaches 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C or until they turn a light golden color.
  • Let them cool on a wire rack to keep them crispy.
  • Serve with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

  • If you don’t have buttermilk, you can mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice into 1 cup of milk and let it sit for a few minutes until it thickens slightly. 
  • Do not over-marinate the chicken. The tenders should not sit in the buttermilk chicken marinade for more than 6 hours, or the texture of the raw chicken can become mushy. 
  • Handle raw chicken carefully. Use a dedicated cutting board and clean your work surface thoroughly after handling raw chicken tenders. 
  • Lightly spray the air fryer chicken tenders with olive oil spray, cooking spray or avocado oil spray to make the breadcrumb mixture golden brown. 
  • Place chicken tenders in a single layer so the hot air from the air fryer can circulate. 
  • Air fry chicken tenders in batches of 4-6. While they cook, keep the remaining chicken tenders warm in a low oven.
  • Always check air fryer chicken tenders for doneness with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C when inserted into the thickest part of the chicken.
  • Reheat air fryer chicken tenders in a 350 degree F / 180 degree C air fryer for 3-5 minutes or until crispy.
  • There are 7 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Nutrition

Calories: 317kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 729mg | Potassium: 542mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 326IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 141mg | Iron: 2mg
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Hi am Bintu and glad to meet you. You will find delicious easy recipes on a budget. Includes easy chicken recipes, easy Instant Pot recipes, easy Air Fryer recipes with simple ingredients loved by the whole family. Let's dig deeper →

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