Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

If you’ve tried our Air Fryer French Fries, Air Fryer Broccoli, and our Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks recipes – and want to find another amazingly easy and delicious recipe you can make in your air fryer, you’re going to LOVE these chicken tenders!

These easy chicken strips are huge family favorites – they are easy to whip up, and they can be made ahead and frozen, ready to cook anytime you need a quick meal!

We’ve started making these chicken strips instead of buying frozen from the grocery store – simply cook and freeze, then pop in the air fryer from-frozen (just like store bought) and serve with an easy dessertfor a quick weeknight dinner!

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At Ajpal, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

Air Fryer Chicken Strip Breading

We’ve designed this chicken strip breading to be flavorful and crispy when air fried, without being dry or watery so that it can air fry into a perfect crunch!

Make sure to evenly coat chicken in the breading – if it is too watery, add a bit more flour.

Breading should stick to chicken without sliding off (more of breading, less like batter).

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce

You can adjust the spices if it is too spicy – but we find the garlic and onion powder and dash of hot sauce really kick this chicken tender recipe up a notch!

How To Keep Chicken Tenders From Sticking In an Air Fryer

To keep your chicken tenders from sticking, you can lay down a small piece of parchment paper to the bottom of your air fryer basket – though we prefer the crispier crunch from placing the tenders directly in the basket.

To prevent sticking, you must spray the basket well with a nonstick cooking spray. I recommend a baking spray that has a touch of flour in it for the best results.

Even after spraying the air fryer basket well with olive oil spray they tend to stick a little during the mid-way flip. I suggest using a spatula to turn the tenders over instead of a tongs.

What Air Fryer To Use

This recipe was designed to work with any air fryer model or pressure cooker (Ninja Foodi or Instant Pot) with broiler lid and basket.

Other Easy Air Fryer Recipes

If you love this easy recipe, be sure to check out our other favorite easy air fryer recipes!

Our air fryer french friesand air fryer chicken drumsticks are always huge hits with the whole family – but be sure to check out ourair fryer broccolithat has a great rich, buttery flavor and is great alongside tons of dishes!

To find our complete air fryer recipe archives, click here.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Creamy Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Air Fried Broccoli

The Best Air Fryer French Fries

BBQ Baked Beans with Ground Beef and Bacon

To see our complete side dish recipe index, click here.

Recipe FAQs

This recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days, or frozen for up to four months.
To reheat, pop in the air fryer for 4-5 minutes to crisp until piping hot!

This recipe makes fabulous frozen chicken tenders that you can pull out and air fry anytime the craving hits!
Please fully cook chicken tenders and then freeze for best results. Reheat by air frying from frozen – the crunch is fabulous!

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