These Easy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are a lighter and healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken tenders. Kids and picky adults alike will enjoy these!
Just look at that crunchy goodness! You really can make "fake" fried food in your Air Fryer. Once you try these, you won't go back to the high-calorie, deep-fried stuff that comes from the freezer.
Why Make Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer
- Less oil and fewer calories! These are so much healthier than normal fried chicken.
- Air frying is faster than baking in the oven, especially if you take into account oven pre-heating time
- These come out crispy and crunchy, just like fried chicken tenders
- No questionable ingredients from the bag in your freezer! You can use fresh chicken and simple ingredients to make them.
Instructions
First, prepare three bowls for dipping the chicken:
- Flour
- Eggs (beaten)
- Breadcrumb Mixture (Italian breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, garlic salt, and pepper)
Dip your chicken tenders in the flour, egg, and finally in the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure each tender gets a solid coat of breadcrumbs to ensure you get a nice crispy finish around all sides of the tenders.
Spray the bottom of your air fryer basket with oil, and lay your tenders in the basket.
This part is important - make sure the tenders DO NOT TOUCH! If you have to, make these in two batches to ensure the tenders aren't touching.
I have an oven-style air fryer so my basket looks more like a baking sheet, but the deep basket style air fryer will also work just as well! The most important thing is to make sure the tenders are separated in the basket.
Finally, generously spray the tenders on both sides with oil. I typically use spray olive oil, but any kind of spray oil will work fine.
Now, you're ready to air fry the tenders!
Air Fryer Temperature and Cook Time
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping about halfway through the cooking time.
How to Know When Chicken Tenders are Done
Tenders should be lightly golden brown but not quite burnt. You want a little browning in order to get the tenders nice and crunchy. Use a meat thermometer to verify that the tenders have reached at least 165 degrees inside.
Calories per Serving
A serving size of 4 oz (approximately two chicken tenders) is only around 250 calories. You can estimate about 125 calories per chicken tender.
Yes, you can be on a diet and have chicken tenders! The Air Fryer works wonders to allow you to eat your favorite fried foods without blowing your diet.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
These Easy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are a lighter and healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken tenders. Kids and picky adults alike will enjoy these chicken tenders!
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins
- ½ cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ⅓ cup Italian breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- olive oil spray
Instructions
- Prepare three small bowls for dipping the chicken tenders. Put flour in the first bowl and beat the egg in the second bowl. In the third bowl mix together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic salt, and pepper.
- Dip tenders in the flour, egg, and finally in the breadcrumb mixture. Lay chicken in the air fryer basket. Make sure tenders are separated and not touching.
- Generously spray olive oil spray on top of uncooked chicken tenders. Flip tenders and spray oil on the other side.
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees. Air fry for about 10-12 minutes, flipping chicken halfway through. Cook until chicken is golden brown and inside has reached at least 165 degrees.
- Serve hot and dip in ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce!
Notes
Cook time will vary based on your air fryer model. Use a thermometer to ensure chicken has reached 165 degrees F.
Serving size is 4 oz or about 2 tenders (depending on the size).
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 4 ozAmount Per Serving: Calories: 250Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 136mgSodium: 424mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 1gProtein: 33g
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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