Air Fryer Almond Flour Chicken Tenders

These air fryer almond flour chicken tenders are juicy inside with a lightly crisp, nutty coating. They are a good option when you want chicken tenders with a coating but do not want to use regular flour or breadcrumbs.

The almond flour gives the outside a savory, slightly nutty flavor, and the air fryer keeps the cooking part simple. I like serving these with potatoes, vegetables, salad, or a quick dipping sauce for an easy dinner.

The biggest thing to know is that almond flour does not crisp exactly like breadcrumbs. It gives the chicken a tender, lightly crisp coating, especially when the tenders are sprayed with oil and cooked in a single layer.

Why This Recipe Works

Almond flour gives the chicken tenders a simple coating with a mild, nutty flavor. It does not get as crunchy as breadcrumbs, but it does give the chicken a nice outside layer without using regular flour.

The egg helps the almond flour mixture stick to the chicken, and the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and herbs give the coating enough flavor without needing a long marinade.

Chicken tenders cook quickly in the air fryer, so once they are coated, dinner moves fast. I like using a light spray of oil before cooking because it helps the almond flour brown better.

Quick Success Tips

• Pat the chicken dry before coating it. The egg and almond flour stick better when the chicken is not too wet.
• Let the extra egg drip off before adding the almond flour. Too much egg can make the coating slide around.
• Press the almond flour mixture onto the chicken instead of just tossing it. This helps the coating stay in place.
• Spray the coated tenders lightly with oil before air frying. Almond flour browns better with a little oil.
• Cook the tenders in a single layer. When the basket is crowded, the coating cooks unevenly.
• Use a thermometer in the thickest piece. Chicken tenders are done when they reach 165°F.
• Let the cooked tenders rest on a cooling rack. This keeps the bottom from getting soggy while the next batch cooks.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• These chicken tenders cook quickly and work for an easy dinner.
• The almond flour coating gives the chicken a lightly crisp outside with a mild, nutty flavor.
• They are a good option when you want coated chicken tenders without regular flour or breadcrumbs.
• You can serve them with fries, potatoes, vegetables, salad, or a dipping sauce.
• Leftovers reheat well in the air fryer when you want a quick lunch or dinner the next day.

Ingredients you'll need to make almond flour chicken

**Find the full list of ingredients and exact measurements in the recipe card below.**

Ingredients You'll Need

• Chicken tenders: Chicken tenders cook quickly and are easy to coat. Pat them dry first so the egg and almond flour mixture stick better.
• Almond flour: Use blanched almond flour for the best texture. Almond meal is usually coarser and can make the coating feel heavier.
• Garlic powder and onion powder: These give the coating a savory base.
• Paprika: Adds color and mild flavor. Smoked paprika also works when you want a little more depth.
• Herbs de Provence: This herb blend adds a simple herby flavor to the almond flour coating.
• Egg: The egg helps the coating stick to the chicken.
• Salt and pepper: Add enough to season the coating. Almond flour tastes better when it is well seasoned.
• Oil spray: A light spray helps the almond flour coating brown in the air fryer.

How to Make Almond Flour Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels.

In a shallow bowl, mix the almond flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Herbs de Provence, salt, and pepper. Add the beaten egg to a separate shallow dish.

Dip each chicken tender into the egg and let the excess drip off. Press the chicken into the almond flour mixture until it is coated on all sides.

Arrange the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Spray the tops lightly with oil.

Air fry at 380°F for 6 minutes per side, or until the thickest part reaches 165°F. Transfer the cooked tenders to a cooling rack while you finish the remaining batches.

Once the chicken tenders are done, cook them together for 1 or 2 minutes to warm up the first batch. Serve hot, and Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Almond Flour Chicken Tenders

• Almond flour does not crisp the same way breadcrumbs do. I expect these tenders to have a lightly crisp, nutty coating instead of a thick crunchy crust.
• Blanched almond flour works best because it is finer than almond meal. Coarse almond meal can make the coating feel heavier and more crumbly.
• A light spray of oil helps the coating brown. Dry almond flour can stay pale or powdery in the air fryer without a little oil.
• Use a cooling rack after cooking. When the hot tenders sit directly on a plate, the bottom can soften from the steam.
• Do not skip the thermometer. Chicken tenders cook fast, and the smaller pieces may finish before the larger ones.

How long to cook chicken tenders with almond flour in the air fryer

Air fryer chicken tenders with almond flour take about 12 minutes at 380°F. As each air fryer model will have slightly different cooking speeds, it's essential to use a meat thermometer to check for a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving.

Make It a Meal

Easy weeknight dinner: Serve the chicken tenders with air fryer green beans, broccoli, asparagus, or a simple salad.

Potato dinner: Add air fryer sweet potatoes, baby potatoes, roasted potatoes, or mashed cauliflower.

Dipping sauce dinner: Serve with ranch, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce.

Fresh and light dinner: Slice the tenders over a salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, avocado, and a simple dressing.

Meal-prep lunch: Reheat the tenders in the air fryer and serve them with vegetables, salad, or rice for an easy lunch the next day.

How to Store Almond Flour Chicken Tenders

Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

For longer storage, freeze the cooked tenders in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 4 months. I like freezing them in a single layer first so they do not stick together.

You can also coat the chicken ahead of time and refrigerate it for 1 to 2 days before cooking. Keep the coated tenders in a single layer when possible so the coating does not rub off.

How to Reheat Almond Flour Chicken Tenders

For the best texture, reheat almond flour chicken tenders in the air fryer at 350°F for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until warmed through.

The coating softens in the refrigerator, so the air fryer is the best way to bring back some texture. I avoid microwaving these when I want the coating to stay lightly crisp.

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