Recipe Snapshot

PREP + COOK TIME: under 30 minutes
METHOD: Air fryer
OTHER TOOLS: food processor or mini-chopper
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 10

Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are as family-friendly as it gets! With no egg or flour, they have a crunchy, light breading that still turns out perfectly golden. Serve air fryer chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauces and homestyle sides!

overhead view of chicken tenders on white plate with white bowl of mustard sauce containing a chicken tenders, with blue and white dishcloth, gold fork and air fryer in the background

What’s To Love About This Recipe

Air fryer chicken tenders turn out crispy and golden without the need for deep frying.
This chicken tender recipe is a family-friendly and kid-approved recipe for an easy-to-please meal.
You don’t need a lot of time to prepare this recipe! From start to finish, the tenders are ready in under 30 minutes.
The breaded coating is customizable with different seasonings or breadcrumb options.
Need a quick, healthy protein for meal prep or lunches? This is a great option that is easy to pack or pair with dipping sauces and sides.
The golden tenders are delicious with sauces or served in wraps or salads. Slice or chop them for a crispy addition to your favorite assembly recipes!

Ingredients Needed

Chicken tenderloins – Chicken tenderloins are convenient for breading, and they stay juicy during the air-frying process. If you don’t use tenderloins, you can also slice boneless chicken breasts into strips.
Olive oil – Olive oil adds a light flavor and helps the coating stick to the pieces of chicken.
Coating mix:
- Panko breadcrumbs – Panko breadcrumbs are recommended for the crispiest coating that resembles a fried breading. You can use seasoned, plain, or gluten-free varieties that come in either flakes or crumbled form.
- Cornflake cereal – Choose a box of classic cornflakes from the store and be sure to check ingredients for any dietary needs. Slightly crush the cornflakes before pulsing to create a more even mix.
- Seasoning – Create a simple, yet bold seasoning mix with a few spices from home. Combine garlic powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper for a robust flavor.
Avocado Oil spray – Avocado oil has a high smoke point which is perfect for getting browned, crispy results at higher temperatures. The spray makes it easy to coat the basket, preventing the tenders from sticking.

*Note – Unlike many breading recipes, there is no egg or flour used this time to make these tenders lighter and crispier!

ingredients to include 10 chicken tenders on parchment lined wood cutting board, surrounded by bowls of salt, pepper, cornflakes, panko, oil, avocado oil spray, spices

How To Make Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Preheat the air fryer to 380 ℉ and spray the basket with non-stick spray.
Toss the raw tenderloins in 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

white bowl containing chicken tenders covered by oil, with another bowl containing processed mixture

Pulse the coating ingredients in a food processor or mini-chopper to blend into a finer consistency.

overhead view of food processor containing panko and cornflakes, surrounded by white bowl of spices

closeup of white bowl of spices with food processor in background

Dredge the tenders in the coating mixture until fully coated and press the crumbs in well.

white bowl with blue trim containing processed mix with 3 chicken tenders, with a white bowl containing oiled chicken tenders

Arrange the tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket (cook in batches if needed). Spray the tops evenly with oil.

overhead view of black air fryer 6 coated chicken tenders

Cook at 380 ℉ for 6 minutes, then flip. Spray tenders lightly with oil if they look dry.
Increase the temperature to 400 ℉ and cook for an additional 4-6 minutes, or until golden and the internal temperature hits 165 ℉.

overhead view of 6 fried chicken tenders

Let the tenders rest 3-5 minutes before serving.

Pro Tips

Be sure to preheat the air fryer for 3-5 minutes for even cooking and better crisping.
Arrange tenders in a single layer with space between each for enough airflow.
Lightly spray the tenders with oil to help brown them without adding too much fat.
Cook just until the internal temperature reaches 165 ℉ since overcooking can dry them out.
Let the tenders rest for a few minutes before serving to keep the juices inside.

sheet pan lined with parchment paper containing 10 air fried chicken tenders with 2 bowls containing ranch and mustard

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Chicken swaps:
- Use chicken breast, sliced into uniform strips, as an alternative to tenderloins.
- Use thin-sliced cutlets if desired, and adjust the cooking time since they will likely cook faster.
Seasoning ideas:
- Try Cajun Seasoning for a bold, smoky flavor.
- Italian seasoning adds more herbal flavor and pairs well with a marinara dipping sauce.
- Lemon pepper is bright and zesty.
- Ranch seasoning mix is classic and savory!
Try out these different breading options to customize the taste and texture:
- Crushed pretzels
- Gluten-free panko breadcrumbs
- Almond flour (for a low-carb, high-protein option)

And if you prefer, skip the breading altogether for lightly seasoned, lower-carb tenders!

Oven Baked Chicken Tenders:

I prefer using the air fryer since it ensures a crispy exterior (quickly!) while not overcooking the chicken. If you have more time available, the oven is another option for cooking the tenders.

Prepare the tenders as directed with the olive oil and breading.
Bake at 425 ℉ for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway.

Use a wire rack over a sheet pan for best crisping.

How To Serve Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Dipping Sauces

Dipping sauces can totally make the meal. Grab everyone’s favorite sauce or mix up something new! These are tried-and-true favorites for chicken tenders:

closeup of one chicken tenders being dipped in mustard sauce with white plate of chicken tenders, blue and white dishcloth, and air fryer in background

Sides

A true homestyle “fried” chicken tender meal has to include the sides! These are some favorites to pair with crispy chicken:

Other Ways to Use Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Nothing goes to waste here! Use up the crispy chicken tenders in a variety of different meals:

Slice the tenders to layer into wraps with lettuce and sauce
Add the strips to a sandwich or slider bun
Use the tenders to top off hearty salads or bowls.

closeup view of air fried chicken tenders on white plate with white bowl of mustard

Storing and Reheating

How To Best Store Leftovers

Fridge

Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

How To Best Reheat Leftovers

Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 375 ℉ for 3-5 minutes to restore the original crispiness. Avoid microwaving if possible to prevent the breading from getting soggy.