• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Recipe Diaries
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Summer
  • Recipes
  • Press
  • About
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Summer
    • Recipes
    • Press
    • About
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer Recipes

    Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

    Published: Feb 21, 2024 · Modified: May 15, 2025 by Jenna · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    Crispy air fryer chicken tenders that can be made suitable for any diet and ready in under 15 minutes. The choice of bread crumbs you can use to fry your chicken tenders are endless!

    Air fried chicken tenders next to ranch and pickles on a cutting board.
    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Like This Recipe
    • Ingredients Needed
    • Substitution Tips
    • How to make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
    • Best Dipping sauces for Chicken Tenders
    • Recipe FAQS
    • More Great Recipes to Try :
    • Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

    Why You Will Like This Recipe

    Chicken tenders are fabulous in the air fryer and a great dipping food. I love to dip my chicken tenders in Bolt House Farms Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing. I'm not sponsored by them that is just my favorite Ranch Dressing at the moment.

    To get the bread crumbs to stick there are multiple ways you can do that. Dip the chicken tenders in an egg before dipping them into the bread crumbs. Spray your chicken tenders with nonstick cooking spray and then dip the chicken in the bread crumbs. Soak them in buttermilk, you get the idea.

    The air fryer is one of my favorite kitchen appliances for cooking frozen food.  Check out some of these recipes for Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Blue, Air Fryer Grilled Cheese, Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings, and Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan. 

    Ingredients Needed

    Ingredients needed for air fryer chicken tenders.
    • Boneless skinless chicken tenders
    • Eggs, beaten
    • Bread crumbs (of choice) - When I made these air fryer chicken tenders, I used some chicharrones for the bread crumbs. Pork rinds are something I never thought I'd enjoy but I do like them. They are a great snack for when you're trying to watch your carbs! Some options for bread crumbs include: almond flour, crushed potato chips, Panko bread crumbs. Parmesan Cheese , Shake and Bake , Cracker Crumbs, Crushed Corn Flakes, Blended Oats, you name it!
    • Salt - to taste
    • Seasoning of Choice - I like Dano's Low Sodium Seasoning Blends (this you can use your favorite choice as well)
    • Cooking Spray - to help get the chicken extra crispy!

    Substitution Tips

    The choice of breading you can use for these chicken tenders are endless! If you are Keto or Low carb, grind up some Chicharrones in your food processor until they are fine crumbs. I added some cajun seasoning to them for a little extra kick and they were delicious.

    If you are on WW use either Panko, Shake and Bake, plain bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, or crushed up chips for the breading.

    How to make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

    Step 1: Preheat air fryer if your brand requires preheating. Warm the air fryer by setting it to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes. Allow it to run without any food in the basket.

    Step 2: Season both sides of your chicken tenders with salt.

    Seasoned chicken breasts with salt.

    Step 3: Prepare 2 shallows dishes. Add the egg to one dish and whisk it well until it looks like scrambled eggs. In another dish add the breadcrumbs.

    Eggs whisked in a shallow dish.

    Step 4: Dip the chicken tenders into the egg wash and then press it into the bread crumbs. Turn to coat both sides.

    Chicken tenders coated in bread crumbs.

     Step 5: Add the breaded chicken tenders into the air fryer basket.

    Coated chicken tenders in air fryer basket.

    Fry the Chicken. Place the Fry Basket back into the air fryer and spray the bread chicken tenders with some Cooking Spray. Set the temperature to 400 degrees. Cook the chicken tenders for 5 minutes on one side, and then flip them. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes.

    Best Dipping sauces for Chicken Tenders

    Homemade Ranch Dressing - Ranch Dressing - What kid doesn't love ranch dressing? I'm sure if you served them ranch chicken tenders they will love you forever! Check out my recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing.

    Hot Honey Recipe for Fried Chicken - I love this dipped in crispy chicken tendres.

    Buffalo Wing Sauce - If you like your chicken tenders to be really spicy try dredging them in some buffalo wing sauce.

    Basic Marinara Sauce Recipe or Homemade Ketchup

    Recipe FAQS

    Can I cook raw chicken tenders in the air fryer?

    Raw chicken tenders cook beautifully in the air fryer—crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. Just make sure the internal temp reaches 165°F

    Do I need to preheat my air fryer?

    It’s recommended! Preheating helps ensure even cooking and a crispier coating. Preheat for 3–5 minutes at the cooking temperature.

    Can I use frozen chicken tenders?

    Yes. Try this temperature and settings. 400°F for 8–10 minutes. If they’re raw and frozen, cook for 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway through.

    More Great Recipes to Try :

    • Air Fryer Canned Biscuits
    • Air Fryer Scotch Eggs
    • Air Fryer Ham
    • Air Fryer Little Smokies

    If you tried this Air Fryer Chicken Tenders orany other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Follow along on Tiktok @jennarecipediaries

    Want to Save This Recipe?

    Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

    Save Recipe

    By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Recipes Diaries.

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

    Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
    • Author: Jenna
    • Prep Time: 10 min
    • Cook Time: 10 min
    • Total Time: 20 min
    • Yield: 4 1x
    • Category: Chicken
    • Method: Air Fryer
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Crispy air fried chicken tenders that can be made suitable for any diet and ready in under 15 minutes. The choice of bread crumbs you can use to fry your chicken tenders are endless!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken tenders
    • 2 eggs, beaten
    • 1 ½ cups of bread crumbs (of choice)
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • Cooking Spray

    Instructions

    1. Preheat air fryer if your brand requires preheating. Warm the air fryer by setting it to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes. Allow it to run without any food in the basket.
    2. Season both sides of your chicken tenders with salt and pepper. Prepare 2 shallows dishes.
    3. Add the egg to one dish and whisk it well until it looks like scrambled eggs.
    4. In another dish add the breadcrumbs.
    5. Dip the chicken tenders into the egg wash and then press it into the bread crumbs. Turn to coat both sides. Add the breaded chicken tenders into the air fryer basket. Place the Fry Basket back into the air fryer and spray the bread chicken tenders with some Cooking Spray.
    6. Set the temperature to 400 degrees. Cook the chicken tenders for 5 minutes on one side, and then flip them. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes.

    Notes

    My WW Personal Points: 3 Click here to see in recipe builder (will have to log in) 

    myWW points: Blue  3; Green 5;  Purple  3

    Points are calculated with the WW recipe builder app and not using the nutrition info. 


    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: ¼ of the tenders
    • Calories: 223
    • Sugar: 2g
    • Fat: 3g
    • Saturated Fat: 1g
    • Unsaturated Fat: 1
    • Trans Fat: 1
    • Carbohydrates: 18g
    • Fiber: 1g

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @recipediariesww on Instagram

    More Air Fryer Recipes

    • Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu
    • Sweet Potato and Ground Beef Bowls
    • Air Fryer Steak Fajitas
    • Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    Primary Sidebar

    Hey, I'm Jenna! I'm a graphic designer, photographer, and home cook from From Fargo ND. I love my Ninja Creami, Air Fryer, and Blackstone. I created this blog to share recipe tips and tricks with everyone, enjoy!

    More about me →

    Summer Recipes

    • Easter Crack
    • Peeps Cake
    • Trisha Yearwood's Country Quiche
    • Trisha Yearwood's Blueberry Pancakes
    • Cinnamon Roll Cake
    • Honey Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Carrots‏ and Potatoes

    Popular Recipes

    • Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs
    • Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Roasted in Oven
    • Paula Deen's Crockpot Mac and Cheese
    • Tiktok Ramen with Soy Sauce and Brown Sugar
    • Weight Watchers Egg Roll in a Bowl
    • Weight Watchers Zero Point Cabbage Soup

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    My Other Site!

    • My other blog is Spoon and Spin and it's all about Ninja Creami recipes.

    Contact

    • Press
    • FAQ
    • Drop me a message!

    Copyright © 2022 Recipe Diaries