These crispy, golden-brown air fryer chicken tenders deliver all the satisfying crunch and juicy tenderness you love – with just 5g of fat per serving! Ready in under 40 minutes, this healthier take on the classic comfort food favorite makes an ideal family-friendly dinner that kids and adults will devour.
The air fryer works its magic to create that perfect crispy coating while keeping the chicken moist and tender inside. With 36g of protein per serving, these tenders offer a nutritious twist that doesn’t sacrifice an ounce of flavor.
Ingredients for Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Chicken Tenders: 2 pounds fresh, perfect for a family serving
- Marinade Mix: 1/2 cup pickle juice and 1/2 cup milk for ultimate tenderness
- Egg Mixture: 1 large egg, essential for breading adhesion
- Seasoned Breading: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 3 tbsp powdered sugar for a subtle sweetness
- Spice Blend: 1/2 tsp each of paprika, chili powder, salt, plus 1 tsp black pepper
- Secret Ingredient: 1/2 tsp baking powder for extra crispiness
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Marinate: Soak tenders in pickle juice for 30 minutes – this ensures juicy results!
- Prepare Coating: Combine flour, sugar, and all seasonings in a ziplock bag for easy coating
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Whisk egg and milk in a bowl until well combined
- Bread the Chicken: Dip in egg mixture, then coat in seasoned flour mixture until evenly covered
- Prepare Air Fryer: Preheat to 360°F and spray basket with cooking spray
- First Cook: Air fry at 360°F for 6 minutes, making sure tenders aren’t touching
- Final Crisp: Flip, spray again, increase to 400°F for 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy
Air Fryer Tips
Hey there! Want to make these chicken tenders extra crispy? Here’s a little secret: spraying both sides with cooking spray is super important – it helps the breading turn golden brown.
If your air fryer basket is on the smaller side, cook the tenders in batches instead of crowding them. This gives them space to get nice and crispy all around. And don’t worry if you need to adjust the cooking time a bit – every air fryer heats differently!
Make It Your Own
Love a bit of heat? Add a pinch of cayenne to your breading mix! Not a fan of pickle juice? Try buttermilk for the marinade instead – it works just as well. You can also swap the paprika for smoked paprika to add a lovely smoky flavor.
Want gluten-free tenders? Simply use your favorite gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour.
Serving Ideas
These crispy tenders are just begging to be dipped! Set them out with honey mustard, ranch, or BBQ sauce. Want to make it a meal? Add some air-fried French fries or a fresh side salad.
They’re also amazing sliced up on top of a Caesar salad or tucked into a wrap with lettuce and tomato. For kids, cut them into smaller pieces and serve with their favorite dipping sauce and some carrot sticks!
Storage & Reheating
Keep any leftover tenders in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 3 days. To get them crispy again, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. They’ll taste almost as good as fresh! You can also freeze them for up to 2 months – just reheat straight from frozen at 350°F for 5-6 minutes.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Mixing bowls
- Ziplock Bags
Ingredients
Marinade
- 2 lb raw chicken tenders
- 1/2 cup pickle juice
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg
Breading
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 Tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Place chicken tenders in a bowl or ziplock bag with the pickle juice and marinate for 30 minutes.
- Add flour, powdered sugar, paprika, black pepper, chili powder, salt, and baking powder to a ziplock bag.
- Add milk, and egg to a separate bowl and mix together. Preheat air fryer to 360 degrees.
- Remove chicken from pickle marinade and add to the bowl with the egg mixture. Spoon out tenders, letting any excess egg mixture drip off, and place them in the ziplock bag with the dry seasonings. Seal and shake bag to evenly coat all of the chicken tenders.
- Spray the bottom of the fry basket with nonstick cooking spray. Take each tender from the bag, shaking it well to get rid of any excess flour, and place tenders in a single layer in the bottom of the fry basket (you will likely need to do two batches). Space them out so they don’t stick together. Generously spray the top of each piece of chicken with cooking spray so that flour is not visible. Then flip the chicken over in the fry basket and spray the other side.
- Air Fry the chicken tenders at 360 for 6 minutes. Open air fryer, flip chicken tenders to the other side, spray tops again with cooking spray. Increase air fryer temperature to 400 degrees and cook for 2-3 more minutes, or until crisp and cooked through.
