Homemade Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Tenders Recipe

These air fryer breaded chicken tenders are deliciously crispy on the outside and moist and juicy inside. The Panko and parmesan cheese add the perfect crunch and flavor to this amazing air fryer chicken recipe.

Air fryer breaded chicken tenders feel like comfort food, but instead of being full of processed ingredients, salt, and sugar, these are made with homemade breaded chicken tenders and delicately flavored with herbs and a hint of parmesan.

They’re also super easy to make; you can have them ready in under thirty minutes - just the thing for a quick midweek meal!

A combination of panko and seasoned breadcrumbs gives these air fryer chicken tenders a satisfying crunch that contrasts nicely with the succulent chicken breast inside. 

A hint of garlic and a smattering of parmesan cheese are mixed with the breadcrumbs to create a creamy, robust flavor that adds the finishing touch to this mouthwatering dish.

Unlike other breaded chicken recipes, these panko-breaded air fryer chicken tenders are incredibly crispy and considerably less greasy than other chicken recipes. This is because Panko breadcrumbs use a particular crustless white bread that is much drier than other breadcrumbs, and cooking them in the air fryer allows them to crisp up beautifully.

Ingredients and Substitutes

**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**

• Panko breadcrumbs are popular in Asian cuisine, so you can usually find them in your local grocery store's international cuisine or Asian section. 
• Italian seasoned breadcrumbs: Use your favorite brand or plain breadcrumbs and add two teaspoons of Italian seasoning.

• Parmesan cheese: use freshly grated parmesan cheese or the one in a jar. Romano cheese would work with this recipe too.
• Chicken tenders: Feel free to use chicken breasts cut into strips to make this recipe if that is what you have at home.
• Eggs: if you don’t want to use egg, then butter, yogurt, or milk work just as well but may alter the flavor slightly.

How to cook breaded chicken tenders in an air fryer

The recipe to make these chicken tenders in the air fryer is very simple and pretty fast to cook them. Here are some of the steps to guide you to make the crispest air fried chicken recipe with little oil. 

First, pat dries the chicken tenders with paper towels, seasoned chicken with salt and pepper to taste.

Next, combine Italian breadcrumbs and garlic powder in a shallow dish, set aside. In a second shallow dish, whisk eggs together until blended. In a third shallow dish, combine panko and grated parmesan cheese.

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Working one at a time, dredge both sides of the chicken tenders in the Italian breadcrumbs mixture, then the egg, and finally in the panko parmesan mixture, coat both sides while pressing into the mix to coat well.

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Finally, place the breaded chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Spritz with oil and cook to 400ºF for 6 minutes on each side or until an instant meat thermometer reaches 165ºF. Serve with sides of choice or dipping sauce. 

Recipe tips

• If making more than one batch, place them on a cooling rack after air frying and reheat for one or two minutes before serving. This way, they are going to stay nice and crispy.
• The eggs are essential because they allow the breadcrumb mixture to stick to the chicken tenders. However, if you don’t want to use egg, then butter, yogurt, or milk work just as well but may alter the flavor slightly.
• Don’t stack the chicken tenders or strips to avoid uneven cooking.
• It’s essential to ensure that your air fryer breaded chicken tenders cook all the way through to ensure that they are safe to eat. However, you also need to be careful not to overcook them as this can cause them to become dry. The best way to check is by using a meat thermometer - once the chicken has reached 165°F in the middle, it’s done.
• All air fryers cook slightly differently. Keep an eye on your breading to make sure they don't burn. If the breading is getting darker and the chicken isn’t done, lower the temperature and cook until the chicken is fully cooked.
• Want to make the recipe low carb or keto-friendly substitute the breading for pork rinds or make this no breading air fryer chicken tenders.

How long to cook chicken tenders in air fryer

It takes around 12 minutes to air fry breaded chicken tenders at 400°F. You don’t need to preheat the fryer first, and be sure to flip them halfway through cooking and spritz with oil if needed.

What to serve with chicken tenders

These air fryer breaded chicken tenders are great served with your favorite dipping sauce. Try them with sriracha mayo, BBQ sauce, ketchup, honey mustard, or a creamy garlic dip.

You could also try them alongside this air fryer brie cheese if you’re feeling decadent!

You want to turn your tenders into an entree; they’re beautiful with sweet potato fries and these air fryer cauliflower bites. They’re also perfect with this air fryer asparagus.

How to store crispy chicken tenders

These delicious and easy breaded chicken tenders will keep well in the fridge or the freezer.

If you’re going to freeze them, you can do this before or after cooking them - they’re a great easy meal to have on hand.

Storing after breading:

• Line a baking sheet pan with wax paper.
• Place the breaded chicken tenders and freeze until solid frozen.
• Remove from the pan.
• Store in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag.

Storing after cooking: If you’re going to store cooked leftovers in the fridge or freezer, make sure you cool them thoroughly first and store them in an airtight container. You should safely store leftovers within two hours of cooking.

They will keep the fridge for 2-3 days and the freezer for up to 3 months.

How long to reheat chicken tenders in air fryer

• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
• Cook them for 4-6 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Check that they have reached temperature using a meat thermometer.

Reheating chicken tenders in the oven:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Cook for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Check that they have reached temperature using a meat thermometer.

More air fryer chicken recipes

• Best air fryer chicken fajitas
• Air fryer cornish hen
• Frozen chicken breast in air fryer
• Air fryer teriyaki chicken thighs
• Crispy air fryer chicken wings
• Pecan crusted chicken breast in the air fryer
• Bone in chicken thighs air fryer recipe
• Air fryer chicken chilaquiles
• BBQ chicken Legs Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs Recipe
• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Air Fryer Recipe

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