Air fryer chicken tenders offer a delicious, healthier take on a classic comfort food. With a satisfyingly crispy coating and juicy, tender chicken inside, they’re ideal for a fast weeknight meal, a crowd-pleasing party appetizer, or a snack loved by both kids and adults. Thanks to the air fryer, these tenders achieve that golden crunch without the extra oil, giving you all the flavor with less guilt.
INGREDIENTS:
2 pounds chicken tenders
2 cups Panko bread crumbs
2 large eggs
¼ cup buttermilk
½ cup all-purpose flour, or whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons paprika
1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Set Up Breading Station: Prepare three wide, shallow bowls or pie plates for the breading process.
- Bowl 1: Add flour.
- Bowl 2: Whisk together eggs, buttermilk, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well-blended.
- Bowl 3: Place Panko bread crumbs.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for about 5 minutes to ensure it’s hot and ready.
- Bread the Chicken Tenders:
- Step 1: Coat each chicken tender in the flour, shaking off any excess.
- Step 2: Dip each tender in the egg mixture, letting any excess drip off.
- Step 3: Coat the tenders evenly with the Panko bread crumbs.
- Cook in Air Fryer:
- Arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, cooking in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
- Air fry for 6 minutes, then carefully flip each piece and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F and is light golden brown.
- Serve: Enjoy the chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauces.
