Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (Printable)
Golden crunchy chicken tenders cooked in the air fryer, served with classic ketchup for dipping.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken tenders or breasts, cut into strips
02 - 1/2 tsp salt
03 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Breading
04 - 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 2 tbsp milk
07 - 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
08 - 1/2 tsp paprika
09 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
10 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
11 - Cooking spray or olive oil spray
→ For Serving
12 - 1/2 cup ketchup
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
02 - Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels and season evenly with salt and black pepper.
03 - Arrange three shallow bowls: one with flour; second with whisked eggs and milk; third with panko mixed with paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
04 - Dredge chicken strips in flour, shake off excess, dip into egg mixture, then press into the seasoned panko until fully coated.
05 - Place breaded chicken strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket, lightly spray with cooking spray, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
06 - Serve hot with ketchup on the side.
# Tips from dashanddishes:
01 -
- They're genuinely crispy outside and juicy inside without the guilt of deep frying in oil.
- Your kitchen stays clean and smells amazing instead of like a grease trap for a week.
- Even if you mess up the breading slightly, the air fryer makes them turn out golden every single time.
02 -
- Flipping them halfway is non-negotiable if you want them evenly crispy. The side that sits flat cooks faster, so don't skip this step.
- Don't crowd the basket. If you have a small air fryer, work in batches rather than stacking them. Crowding means steam instead of crunch.
03 -
- If your air fryer has a tendency to cook unevenly, rotate the basket halfway through instead of flipping the chicken.
- Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for an hour before breading if you want them even more tender and juicy inside.