Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Updated Jun 20, 2025
This Air Fryer chicken tender recipe is made with seasoned panko breadcrumbs, and cooked in the air fryer for 8 minutes until golden and crispy.
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Air Fryer Chicken Tenders!
I used to think that getting a crispy chicken strip without deep-frying was impossible. But, once I tried making these chicken fingers in the air fryer, I was proven wrong.
Plus, chicken tenders pair well with almost anything and are perfect for dipping in your favorite sauces. And they’re a meal that even picky eaters will love!
Happy Cooking!
– Yumna
Air Fryer Chicken Tender Ingredients
- Chicken Tenders: I like to use boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins for this recipe!
- Egg: You’ll need one large egg to help the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken. But if you’d rather not use egg, you can try buttermilk, yogurt, or any other sticky liquid.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: I love the way panko breadcrumbs coat this chicken (they’re lighter than traditional breadcrumbs) but if you prefer a different type of breadcrumb or even crushed crackers feel free to make the swap!
- Seasoning: To flavor my breadcrumbs, I use garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and mustard powder (plus a little salt and pepper for the chicken breasts).
- Olive Oil Spray: You can use any cooking spray you have on hand, but I prefer olive oil for its mild flavor.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Chicken Tender Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds chicken tenders
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder optional
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat an air fryer to 400ºF and line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pat the chicken tenders dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper.
- In a small size bowl, whisk the egg. In another medium size bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and mustard powder, if using.
- Dip the chicken into the beaten egg, then toss into the panko mixture. Dust off any excess panko mixture and lay the chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining chicken and place them on the baking sheet.
- Air fry for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden. Enjoy immediately with any dip you like.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Recipe Tips
- Season the Chicken: I always make sure to salt and pepper my chicken before cooking and coating. Don’t skip this step, it’s the foundation for a flavorful dish!
- Pat your Chicken Dry: Before seasoning and coating, make sure to pat your chicken dry with a paper towel to help the egg and panko mixture stick better.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: I like to place my chicken strips in a single layer in the air fryer to leave space between each tender. When the air can circulate, everything will cook evenly.
- Flip Halfway Through: Turn your chicken fingers halfway through cooking to ensure both sides are evenly browned and crispy.
- Check the Internal Temperature: The safest way to know if your chicken is cooked through is to check the internal temperature with a food thermometer. It should read 165ºF.
Serving Ideas
- Top a Caesar Salad: I love to eat these crispy chicken tenders sliced on top of a classic, creamy Caesar salad (and making Caesar salad at home is simpler than you think!).
- Experiment with dips and sauces: These chicken tenders are a great opportunity to play with dipping sauces. I like to try out a homemade honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or ranch dressing.
- Go classic and serve with French fries: For a standard diner meal, my kids and I love a full chicken tender-French fry plate (with ketchup and mayo, of course). Luckily, French Fries are just as easy to make in the airfryer!
FAQs
After your chicken strips have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container with parchment paper between each layer to prevent them from sticking together. They’ll stay good in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days. For perfect crispiness, I like to reheat my chicken in the air fryer! Preheat your air fryer to 350ºF, then place the tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook them for 3-4 minutes, turning them once until they’re heated through.
Yes! Once your chicken fingers have cooled completely, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze them until solid (about 1-2 hours) to prevent them from sticking together. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper, and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat them, you can reheat the frozen tenders directly in the air fryer without thawing.
Absolutely! If you’re using chicken breasts, just cut them into thin strips similar in size to chicken tenders and follow the rest of the recipe.
Yes! Check out my recipe for oven baked chicken tenders, instead!
Comments
Huge hit with my kiddos! Love that I know everything going into their food. Thanks for another great recipe!
Yay, so glad they like them!! I love knowing what’s going into my kids’ food too. So happy you find my recipes helpful, Amira!! Thank you!
Delicious.
So glad you liked it!
So excited to make these for my 2 year old! Thank you!!
How long should frozen tenders be air fried?
Hi Kim, you can cook them for 12-14 minutes, be sure to turn halfway through. I hope you enjoy!
Anxious to try your recipe for air fry chicken tenders, but in directions , you do not give temp & cook time.
Hi Gwen, you can find the temp and the cooking time in the recipe card right above the comment section. You’ll have to let me know what you think when you make them!