Description
These best air fryer recipes bring crispy texture, fast cooking, and easy flavor to everyday meals. This recipe card features a simple air fryer chicken tenders recipe because it works perfectly for beginners, busy families, and anyone who wants a quick dinner with golden crunch and juicy chicken. Serve it with fries, salad, roasted vegetables, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Ingredients
1 pound chicken tenders
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Olive oil spray
Optional: ranch, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or buffalo sauce for serving
Instructions
1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
2. Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels.
3. Add flour to one shallow bowl.
4. Whisk eggs and milk in a second shallow bowl.
5. Mix panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a third shallow bowl.
6. Coat each chicken tender in flour, then dip it into the egg mixture, then press it into the seasoned panko.
7. Place the coated chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
8. Spray the tops lightly with olive oil spray.
9. Air fry for 8 minutes, then flip the chicken tenders.
10. Spray lightly again, then cook for 4 to 6 more minutes, until golden and cooked through.
11. Let the chicken rest for 2 minutes before serving.
12. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
Use panko breadcrumbs for the crispiest texture.
For extra flavor, add grated Parmesan to the breadcrumb mixture.
Cooking time may vary by air fryer model and chicken thickness.
Chicken should reach 165°F internally before serving.
For a spicy version, add cayenne pepper or buffalo seasoning to the breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 chicken tenders
- Calories: 315
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 135mg