Air Fryer Chicken Tenders – Extra Crispy! (VIDEO)
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Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are juicy on the inside and extra crispy on the outside, without the hassle of deep frying! It’s due to one key step in my recipe that will make these the best Air Fryer Chicken Tenders you’ve made at home!
Watch the Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe Video!
A Note from CJ
My secret to the best Air Fryer Chicken Tenders!
There is one thing I do differently from all the other recipes that make these the best Air Fryer Chicken Tenders – brining! Brining the tenders for just 30 minutes helps the chicken retain more moisture, which is why they turn out so juicy – even when cooked at a higher temperature in the air fryer (which is what you need for the crispy exterior!)
I love dipping these in my Homemade Ranch; you can also try them with Barbecue Sauce, Raising Cane’s Sauce, Chick-Fil-A Sauce, Honey Mustard, Spicy Mayo, or Popeye’s Blackened Ranch!
This is the best recipe if you want crispy chicken tenders! The chicken is juicy inside and crispy on the outside. This is the first time I’ve made tenders by brining them first and what a difference! Excellent recipe.
Ingredient Tips
Refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and measurements!
- chicken tenders: chicken tenders are sometimes labeled chicken tenderloins. I recommend buying air chilled chicken tenders, as they are not pre-packed with water. While tenders and breasts are not the same, you can also use chicken breasts and slice them into long strips.
- panko breadcrumbs: Panko Breadcrumbs are coarse and light, making them ideal for crisping up without needing oil.
- spices: I opt for a spice mix of kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper for my chicken. Customize to your liking (for example – if you’re sensitive to spice, omit the cayenne pepper.)
- neutral oil spray – The oil spray is key to making crispy chicken tenders in the air fryer. I used avocado oil spray but you can also use canola or vegetable oil spray.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Brine the Chicken Tenders and Make the Wet Batter: Mix water, kosher salt, and sugar in a large bowl until dissolved, then brine the chicken tenders for at least 30 minutes or overnight for best results. Next, prepare the Seasoning Mix with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne. Use 1 teaspoon of the Seasoning Mix mix to season the wet batter made from whisking eggs, flour and water. On a separate tray, mix the rest of the seasoning into the panko breadcrumbs.
Dredge the Chicken Tenders and Air Fry Until Crispy: To assemble, remove the chicken tenders from the brine and pat dry thoroughly before dipping each piece into the Wet Batter. Let any excess drip off, then press the chicken firmly into the seasoned panko breadcrumbs until evenly coated. Lightly spray both sides with oil and place in a single layer in the air fryer. Cook the air fryer chicken tenders at 400°F for 8 minutes, then flip, spray again with oil and cook for another 4-6 minutes until golden, crispy, and the chicken reads at least 165F with a thermometer.
Expert tips
CJ’s Recipe Tips
Don’t Skip the Brining! I highly recommend you brine your chicken – the brining solution absorbs into the chicken and adds moisture to the meat, which keeps it extra juicy during the air frying process, even at a longer and at a higher temperature (which is what you need to get the crispy outside). This means your tenders turn out both juicy AND crispy!
Pat the Chicken Dry – Ensure that you are patting the chicken dry after brining so the breading sticks well to the tenders.
Press the Breading Into The Chicken! – Use your hands to really press the panko breadcrumbs into the chicken, then shake off any excess. You should not see any bald or damp spots. This will ensure the breading does not fall off in the air fryer!
Cooking Times: Because air fryers vary by model and power, cooking times may vary. 8 minutes at 400°F should be your initial base line in the initial air fry. The 2nd air fry is where you can adjust the cooking time to get the chicken strips as crispy as you like!
If you tried this Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (VIDEO)
Equipment
Ingredients
Chicken Tenders and Brining Solution
- 1.5 lb chicken tenders or chicken tenderloins
- 4 cups water
- 2 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
Spice Mix (For Wet Batter and Panko)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
Wet Batter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp Spice Mix, (refer to above)
- 1 tbsp water, if needed, to achieve the correct wet batter consistency
Breading
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tsp Spice Mix, (refer to above)
- Neutral oil spray, such as avocado, canola, or vegetable oil
Instructions
- Mix water with kosher salt and sugar in a large bowl until they are dissolved. Submerge the chicken tenders in the solution and brine for 30 minutes or up to overnight in the refrigerator.
- In a small bowl mix salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper to create the Spice Mix.
- In a separate large bowl, add flour, eggs, and 1 teaspoon of the Spice Mix. Mix well until the batter is slightly looser than pancake batter. If too thick, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time and mix until you reach the consistency shown in the video.
- On a large plate or pan, mix the panko breadcrumbs and the remaining seasoning mix.
- Remove the chicken tenders from the brining solution and pat them dry with a paper towel. Dip the chicken tenders in the egg & flour mixture then let the excess liquid drip off. Place the tenders in the panko breadcrumbs and pack the breading in well, pressing tightly with your hands. Lay them onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet or plate.
- Spray the top side of the chicken tenders with the neutral oil spray. Place the sprayed side face down in the air fryer basket and spray the other side of the chicken tenders. Air fry the chicken tenders at 400F for 8 minutes. Flip and air fry the chicken tenders again at 400F for another 4-6 minutes until the panko is golden and crispy.
Video
Notes
- In the Refrigerator: Store the cooked chicken tenders in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Reheat at 375°F for 4-5 minutes until warmed through and the exterior is crispy.
- In the Freezer: Freeze the uncooked chicken tenders in a single layer in the freezer until frozen solid. Place them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. To cook, follow the same cooking instructions but add 2-4 minutes of extra cooking time after the first flip.
- Brine your chicken – this adds moisture to the meat and keeps it extra juicy during the air frying process. You’ll be able to air fry the exterior for longer and at a higher temperature, ensuring an extra crispy exterior while keeping the chicken moist.
- If you are short on time or don’t want to deal with brining, at a minimum I suggest sprinkling the chicken with a 2:1 ratio of salt and sugar and letting that absorb into the chicken while you prepare the other ingredients. It will make a difference!
- Ensure that you are patting the chicken dry after brining and using enough oil spray to cover all parts of the breading before air frying! These are my two key tips for preventing soggy chicken tenders.
- Do not be gentle when breading the chicken tenders in the panko. Use your hands to really press the panko breadcrumbs into the chicken, then shake off any excess. You should not see any bald or damp spots on the chicken tenders after the breading is added. This will ensure the breading does not fall off in the air fryer!
- Cooking Times: Because air fryers vary by model and power, cooking times may vary. 8 minutes at 400°F should be your initial base line in the initial air fry. The 2nd air fry is where you can adjust the cooking time to get the chicken strips as crispy as you like!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Yummy recipe
This is a great recipe.
Better than store bought or frozen
Amazing tenders that the whole family can enjoy especially my picky eater son.
He likes things plain. But these are great for the family.
@annoula.79
Easy and delicious recipe.
Winner! No mess and easy to convert to GF.
IG- @nergisscott
I’m a little scared from my machine still, these were simple enough to get used to it.
Thank you for posting it.
I’m a little scared from my machine still, these were the bomb! thank you.
Absolutely delicious!
@myworld.ascindy
I tried this and will be my go-to from now on. So crispy!
Absolutely delicious.