Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (Printable)
Golden juicy chicken with crunchy coating, air-fried to perfection in under 30 minutes
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1 lb chicken tenders or chicken breast, cut into strips
→ Breading
02 - 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 tsp garlic powder
04 - 1 tsp paprika
05 - 1 tsp salt
06 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
→ Egg Wash
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 2 tbsp milk (dairy or non-dairy)
→ Coating
09 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
10 - 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
11 - 2 tbsp olive oil or cooking spray
# Directions:
01 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
02 - Set up three shallow bowls. First bowl: combine flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Second bowl: whisk eggs and milk together. Third bowl: mix panko and plain breadcrumbs; drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat evenly.
03 - Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels.
04 - Dredge each chicken strip in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
05 - Dip floured chicken into the egg wash.
06 - Coat chicken thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently for adhesion.
07 - Arrange breaded chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
08 - Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden, crisp, and cooked through (internal temperature: 165°F).
09 - Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The cleanup is so minimal you will actually want to make this on a weeknight.
- It delivers that deep fried crunch you crave but with a fraction of the oil.
02 -
- Overcrowding the basket will make the chicken soggy because the steam cannot escape.
- Letting the breaded chicken sit for a few minutes before frying helps the coating stick better during cooking.
03 -
- Spray a light mist of oil on the chicken right before air frying for extra crunchiness.
- Use an instant read thermometer to avoid cutting into the meat to check doneness.