Crunchy Air Fryer chicken tenders are just 3 ingredients but come out so flavorful and crispy. No dredging station needed and they only take 10 minutes to cook!

Earlier this year I shared my crunchy baked chicken tenders recipe with you. It’s one I’ve worked over the years to perfect and they are a kid favorite.

Today, it’s a different twist on that classic.

Air Fryer chicken tenders are super easy to make with just 3 ingredients.

They are really fast to put together, cook in just 10 minutes and come out so amazingly crunchy on the outside while being tender and flavorful on the inside.

(Spoiler alert: It’s the Panko breadcrumbs.)

The taste is incredible and you’ll be in love with how easy they are.

My most favorite thing about these Air Fryer chicken tenders?

You don’t need a breading station.

No really, you just have to coat these in the seasoned Panko breadcrumb mixture and they are ready to cook.

You don’t need eggs or buttermilk and you don’t have to drag your fingers through a series of messy bowls to get these prepped.

And yet they are every bit as flavorful and crispy as the baked version.

You’ll be putting chicken tenders on the menu much more often with this easy way to make them!

(You may also want to check out these Air Fryer BBQ chicken legs that are great for parties or an easy dinner.)

So let’s get cooking.

Now, I’ve got some notes and substitutions coming up on how to make Air Fryer chicken tenders. Just tryin’ to be helpful.

If you want to jump on down to the recipe, simply scroll right on through the rest of the text. The recipe card is near the bottom of the page, above the comments section.

Notes on making Air Fryer chicken tenders:

• Panko breadcrumbs are a must for this recipe to get the amazing crunchy crust on the chicken tenders.
• Don’t have chicken tenders? You can slice up boneless, skinless chicken breasts to use for this recipe. Just make sure the strips are similarly sized so they cook in the same amount of time. And you may need to adjust the final cook time if they are larger or thicker than regular chicken tenders from the store.
• I have, use and very much recommend a digital thermometer to test meat to ensure it’s properly cooked.
• Spraying the tops of the chicken tenders helps them get a bit of an extra crisp on them. Turning them over halfway through also promotes even cooking and a crunchy exterior all around.

If your Air Fryer is small and you need to work in batches, keep the finished chicken tenders on a plate. Add them all into the Air Fryer – stacked up  – for an additional 1 minute of cook time at the end so they get hot and crispy again.

Finally, I’ve only ever made these with seasoned salt. If you don’t have any, you can make your own homemade seasoned salt from some pretty basic spices.

OK, let’s get ready to eat!

Chicken tenders are made infinitely better by a good dipping sauce, in my opinion.

And my family has a wide range of dipping sauce preferences.

I’m solidly on team honey mustard, and my son appears to be joining me there. My daughter is a ketchup fanatic. BBQ sauce too, especially when we’re talking chicken. My husband will dip whatever we’re having. Which usually means options for us.

Here’s a few ideas to get you thinking.

Dipping sauces for chicken tenders:

• Ketchup
• BBQ sauce
• Honey mustard
• Ranch dressing
• Caesar dressing
• Fry sauce
• Creamy pesto dip
• Creamy salsa dip

Or any other favorite sauce you love to pair with chicken fingers.

Speaking of my honey mustard obsession though, here’s my go-to combination for making a really delicious honey mustard sauce for dipping.

Honey mustard recipe: Combine 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 heaping tablespoon yellow or Dijon mustard and 1 heaping tablespoon honey. Mix well then taste and adjust to your preferences: perhaps more honey or more mustard.

Sooo good.

Alright, let’s round out the rest of this meal.

What to serve with chicken tenders:

– Chicken tenders go great with some oven baked fries or roasted potato wedges. And my kiddos and I love Air Fryer tater tots, too.

– Mac and cheese is another great side to serve. (My quick stovetop mac and cheese can be made while these tenders are cooking. 👍)

– As for veggies, make a quick side salad or steam your favorite veggie, such as broccoli or asparagus.

– Or you could make a pasta salad to go with the chicken, such as creamy BLT pasta salad or classic spaghetti salad (my mom’s recipe).

You are ready for a fabulous dinner! Or maybe just some stellar game day eats.

Either way, I hope you love these Air Fryer chicken tenders as much as we do.

XO,

Kathryn

P.S. I just got a new – and bigger – Air Fryer so I can keep bringing you more recipes.

If you want to be sure not to miss a recipe, you can sign up for my free e-newsletter. I’ll even send you my free e-cookbook, Healthy Weeknight Dinners, as a thank you!

Yield: 4 servings

Air Fryer chicken tenders

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Crunchy Air Fryer chicken tenders are just 3 ingredients but come out so flavorful and crispy. No dredging station needed and they only take 10 minutes to cook!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs. chicken tenders (see notes)
• 3/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Cooking spray

For serving:

• Your favorite dipping sauce, such as ketchup, honey mustard, Ranch or BBQ sauce

Instructions

1. Preheat the Air Fryer to 400, if it requires preheating. 
2. Combine the breadcrumbs, seasoned salt and black pepper in a medium bowl.
3. Press each chicken tender into the breadcrumb mixture, turning to coat all sides and pressing to help the breadcrumbs adhere. Repeat with all chicken tenders.
4. Spray the tray of the Air Fryer with cooking spray. Place prepared chicken tenders on the tray and spray the tops with cooking spray.
5. Cook in the Air Fryer at 400 for 10 minutes, flipping the chicken tenders over halfway through. (If your Air Fryer is small and you need to work in batches, keep the finished chicken tenders on a plate. Add them all into the Air Fryer - stacked up  - for an additional 1 minute of cook time so they get hot and crispy again.)
6. Check the chicken tenders with a digital thermometer to ensure they have reached 165. (If not, add another 1-2 minutes of cook time.)
7. Serve immediately with desired dipping sauces and enjoy!

Notes

Panko breadcrumbs are a must here to get the amazing crunchy crust on the chicken tenders.

Chicken tenders: Don’t have chicken tenders? You can slice up boneless, skinless chicken breasts to use for this recipe. Just make sure the strips are similarly sized so they cook in the same amount of time. And you may need to adjust the final cook time if they are larger or thicker than regular chicken tenders from the store.

I have, use and very much recommend a digital thermometer to test meat to ensure it’s properly cooked.

Spraying the tops of the chicken tenders helps them get a bit of an extra crisp on them. Turning them over halfway through also promotes even cooking and a crunchy exterior all around.

If your Air Fryer is small and you need to work in batches, keep the finished chicken tenders on a plate. Add them all into the Air Fryer - stacked up  - for an additional 1 minute of cook time at the end so they get hot and crispy again.

Finally, I’ve only ever made these with seasoned salt. If you don’t have any, you can make your own homemade seasoned salt from some pretty basic spices.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 596Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gProtein: 35g