These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are perfectly seasoned, irresistibly crispy, and absolutely delicious! Enjoy them right away or freeze for a quick and easy lunch or dinner anytime.

This is the most recent addition to my growing collection of air fryer recipes. These chicken tenders and recipes like my Air Fryer Fried Chicken and Air Fryer Chicken Sandwiches allow you to cook breaded chicken to crispy perfection with FAR less oil.

Air fryer chicken tenders on parchment paper with sprigs of parsley and Ranch in a small bowl.

I’ve always considered chicken tenders to be “kid food” but I’m here to tell you that these crispy delights are that and so much more. Kids will definitely love them – dippable finger food is always fun. But, this is a fabulous way to cook chicken for a wholesome meal the whole family will love.

Plus, anything I can cook and freeze for easy future meals is A-OK with me.

Air frying is the best method for quickly cooking breaded chicken tenders until golden and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Making them from scratch at home allows you to control the quality of the ingredients and seasoning.

The flavor and texture of these homemade chicken tenders are SO much better than the bland chicken tenders from the frozen food section.

Ingredient Notes
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Cook in Batches
Storage and Reheating Tips
Serving Suggestions

A hand dipping a chicken tender into a small bowl of Ranch dressing.

Ingredient Notes

Chicken breast tenders, flour, bread crumbs and other ingredients in bowls with text overlay.

Chicken breast tenders: Save time and pick up a package of pre-cut chicken tenderloins at the store. A package of Foster Farms chicken tenders that weighs about 1¼ pounds should hold 8 to 9 pieces. I’ve also made this recipe by slicing thin-sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts into strips about 5 inches long and 1½ to 2 inches thick.

Breading: All-purpose flour, large eggs, and plain panko breadcrumbs seasoned with granulated garlic or garlic powder, paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper

Nonstick cooking spray: You can use a nonstick cooking spray or an oil mister filled with olive oil or avocado oil.

Air fried chicken tenders on parchment paper with a small bowl of Ranch dressing.

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Place the breading ingredients in 3 separate shallow bowls to create your breading station.

Four bowls filled with breading ingredients.

Bowl 1: Flour.
Bowl 2: Lightly whisk the eggs.
Bowl 3: Combine the bread crumbs with the seasoning.

While you’re breading the chicken, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.

Four images of a chicken tender being breaded and breaded tenders on a foil lined baking sheet.

Coat each chicken tender first in flour.
Then the beaten egg.
And, finally, dredge them in the breadcrumb mixture. Transfer the breaded chicken tenders to a large sheet of aluminum foil (or a lined baking sheet) as you work.

Cook in Batches

My basket style Cosori Air Fryer can hold 4 or 5 chicken tenders per batch. Be sure there’s a little space in between them to allow for proper air flow so all the edges will get browned and crispy. You can cook as many chicken strips in one batch as your air fryer will hold without them touching.

Coat the preheated air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray (or your oil of choice) and add a layer of chicken tenders. Coat the tops with oil until no dry spots appear and cook them for 7 minutes.
Open the air fryer basket, flip them over and coat them with a little additional oil, and cook for an additional 4 to 5 minutes. They should be golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Refrigerate: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Reheating from fridge: Using an air fryer to reheat the chicken tenders will yield the best, crispiest result. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F. Add a single layer of cooked chicken tenders and air fry for 5 to 8 minutes, or until warmed through, flipping halfway through the cooking time.

Freeze: Cook the tenders as directed and allow them to cool completely. Place the tenders on a baking sheet, freeze for 1 hour, then transfer them to a freezer-safe food storage bag. Be sure to press out as much air as possible and label the bag with the date. They’ll be at their best if used within a few weeks.

Reheating from frozen: Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees F. Add the frozen chicken tenders and cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until warmed through, flipping halfway through.

Serving Suggestions

It’s so easy to make a meal out of chicken tenders. Just toss a salad and/or prepare a simple side dish. They’re great served with Almond Rice Pilaf, Jambalaya Rice, or a pasta side dish like my Baked Macaroni and Cheese or Orzo with Peas and Parmesan. We love our potatoes and my Crispy Oven Baked Fries are perfect with this meal!

Balance out the meal with simply Sautéed Green Beans, Pesto Green Beans, or Sautéed Broccolini.

Don’t forget the dipping sauce! Store-bought ranch dressing or homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing are guaranteed kid-friendly. We love them with the Honey Mustard Sauce from my recipe for Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwiches and BBQ sauce is another classic choice for chicken tenders.