Print

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

crispy air fryer chicken tenders - featured image
Print Recipe

These crispy air fryer chicken tenders deliver a perfect crunch and juicy tenderness without the mess of deep frying. Ready in under 30 minutes, they are a quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing meal or snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) chicken tenders, fresh and trimmed (or chicken breast cut into strips)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk (or plain yogurt or milk with lemon juice/apple cider vinegar as substitute)
  • 3/4 cup (90 g) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
  • 1 cup (100 g) panko breadcrumbs (recommend Kikkoman brand)
  • 1/4 cup (25 g) finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cooking spray (preferably avocado or olive oil spray)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, combine chicken tenders with buttermilk and a pinch of salt. Toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes or up to 2 hours.
  2. Prepare the coating stations: Place flour in one shallow dish. In a second dish, mix panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  3. Coat the tenders: Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge each tender in flour, shaking off excess. Optionally dip briefly back into buttermilk, then press into breadcrumb mixture to coat thoroughly. Set aside.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  5. Spray the air fryer basket lightly with cooking spray. Arrange tenders in a single layer without touching. Cook in batches if needed.
  6. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying top with a little more oil spray. Cook until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Add 1-2 minutes if needed for extra crispiness.
  7. Let the chicken rest for a couple of minutes before serving to redistribute juices and keep coating crisp.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Spray coating lightly with oil before cooking for a golden finish. Pat chicken dry before marinating if too wet. Flour acts as glue for the coating, so do not skip it. Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model. For extra crunch, sprinkle more breadcrumbs on top before cooking and spray with oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, healthy fried chicken, panko chicken, air fryer recipes

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-tenders-recipe-easy-perfect-crunch-at-home/