Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer (From Scratch!)
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Make Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer from scratch with a handful of spices and seasonings… and breadcrumbs, of course! It’s the perfect meal for kids, adults, fast food lovers, or really, anyone who loves ultra-crispy chicken. Super moist and juicy chicken with a crispy, crunchy crust, ready in under 40 minutes!
Table of Contents
Chicken Tenders Air Fryer
It’s hard not to use chicken to prepare dinner for my family. It’s one of the leanest, most versatile proteins out there.
And when you air fry chicken strips, the meal is that much healthier and so much better than deep frying. No waiting for the oil to come to temperature, no dodging spits and splatters…
I’m not talking about the frozen stuff, though! It’s so easy to make homemade chicken tenders in the air fryer with a couple of eggs and some pantry staples.
Juicy on the inside with a cheesy, garlicky breadcrumb crust, you won’t be able to stop after just one! Make sure you have all your favorite dipping sauces ready to go too.
Don’t stop with just chicken tenders in the air fryer, either. Try French fried onion chicken, chicken legs, boneless breasts, or even a whole chicken!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Chicken Tenders – Boneless, skinless tenderloins are almost always available in the grocery store meat department.
If you can’t find tenders, you can make your own chicken strips by slicing up a boneless chicken breast. - Cooking Spray – The only oil we’ll need to air fry chicken strips, and that’s just to keep them from sticking! I like to use an olive oil spray, but canola works too.
- Eggs – Coating the strips in beaten eggs helps the breadcrumb coating stick to the surface. If you have time, let them rest on the counter for 15-20 minutes first… they’ll be easier to whisk!
- Breadcrumbs – I like to use a mix of both Italian and panko breadcrumbs for a variety of textures and flavors, but you can use either/or.
If you use just panko, mix in about half a tablespoon of Italian seasoning. - Parmesan Cheese – You can really taste the difference between bagged, pre-shredded cheese and cheese that’s freshly grated right off the block.
- Seasonings – Ground mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper provide a good balance of flavor.
Add a dash of chili powder or paprika for some heat… or any other seasonings you like! These air fryer chicken tenders are totally customizable.
How Long to Cook Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer
It normally takes about 30 minutes to cook raw chicken tenders in an air fryer, but your cook time may be different than mine.
How long to cook chicken tenders in the air fryer will depend on both the thickness and cut of meat, plus the air fryer model and size.
So, it’s best to use the internal temperature of the meat to determine doneness. I suggest using an instant-read digital thermometer.
The internal temperature of any cooked chicken should be 165°F before removing them from the basket.
Donna’s Pro Tips
- Set up a dredging station: The beaten eggs go in one bowl and the breadcrumb mixture in the other. Use one hand for the wet and the other for the dry to keep the breadcrumbs from sticking to your skin!
- Grating the Parmesan: You’ll get the best texture if you use the smallest holes on your cheese grater (or a microplane), similar to the breadcrumbs instead of long strips.
- Keep tongs handy: I’ll usually lay the raw chicken tenders in the air fryer with my hands so the breading doesn’t flake off, but they’re easier to flip with tongs.
- Cook in batches: Crowding prevents the tenders from getting nice and crispy. Air fry 3 to 5 at a time (depending on the size of your basket) for best results.
Prep Ahead
- Mix breadcrumbs and spices
- Slice chicken into strips (if using breast meat instead of tenders)
Serving Suggestions
If you’re wondering what sauce goes well with chicken tenders, there are almost too many options! A few of my favorites are:
- Honey
- Honey mustard
- Ketchup
- BBQ sauce: I love the tangy flavor of this Kansas City BBQ sauce. If you prefer a smoky-flavored sauce, try our signature BBQ sauce recipe.
- Ranch dressing
- Chick-fil-A sauce
Air Fry Chicken Strips FAQ
According to the FDA, the minimum safe internal temperature of poultry is 165°F. That’s the temperature at which potentially harmful, food poisoning-causing germs are cooked out of the food.
No one’s going to stop you, but it’s a pretty bad idea!
The tenders will stick together as the crust cooks, keeping each side from crisping up and preventing the meat from cooking thoroughly.
So, unless you want mushy tenderloins that are a mix of overcooked and undercooked, be sure to air fry chicken tenders in a single layer with some space between each one.
Likely two main culprits: starting with cold chicken and overcooking.
Chilled meat can seize up when it goes from cold to hot really fast, so let the tenderloins sit on the counter for a little bit before breading.
Once you start air frying, flip the strips halfway and remove them as soon as they’re cooked through. You can even pull them a minute or two early and let them rest for a few minutes to ensure they’re perfectly tender and juicy.
Storage and Reheating Homemade Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer
You can keep any leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, just pop them back in the air fryer for a couple of minutes at 400°F.
Also, the cooked chicken strips freeze beautifully, so they’re perfect for meal prep!
To freeze, just lay the breaded tenders on a baking sheet with a bit of space between each, then slide the pan into the freezer for 30 minutes or so.
When they’re partially frozen, transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months.
No need to thaw… just reheat frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer for a few minutes longer than refrigerated leftovers!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Easy Air Fryer Recipes
Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer (From Scratch!)
Equipment
Ingredients
- non-stick cooking spray
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken tenders
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
Breading ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Place beaten egg in a shallow bowl. In a separate shallow bowl, place all breading ingredients and stir to combine.
- One at a time, place chicken tenders in the egg, and flip to coat. Then press each tender into the breading mixture and flip to coat on the opposite side. Lightly shake to remove any excess. Place on a plate and spray each side with olive oil spray.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
- Place chicken tenders in an even layer (do not stack). Cook for 10 minutes, flipping the tenders with tongs half-way through. The chicken should be crispy on the outside and cooked through to the center, with an internal temperature of 165°F. Add additional time if necessary, 1 minute at a time until cooked through. Repeat for all remaining batches.
- Serve warm with honey mustard or your favorite dipping sauce.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published August 2022, updated and republished July 2025
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Weโre Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
I don’t have a lot of time to cook because of work, so simple quick recipes are my favorite. I love these air fryer chicken tenders! They’re so tasty and easy to make.
Loved how easy this recipe was to follow. The tenders turned out perfect.
Hi Aaliyah!
We’re so glad that you enjoyed the recipe.
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn