Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Tenders
January 10, 2021
No more freezer burnt chicken tenders or take out, get the crisp your kids (and you!) will love right at home with the air fryer.
I think that if I had to pick one FAVORITE thing to make in my Air Fryer, it would have to be Crispy Chicken Tenders. And when I say “crispy”, I mean CRISPY! Beyond the technology of the air fryer, I think the thing that contributes to the crispiness of these tenders more than anything else is the combination of both traditional seasoned breadcrumbs and panko breadcrumbs. The traditional breadcrumbs coat the chicken really well and the style of the panko breadcrumb enhances the crispiness with a slightly different texture. Combined they make the perfect Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Tenders!
A Kid Crowd Pleaser
Whether I want to admit it or not, my kids are currently in a phase where they only want to eat “kid food” (mom sighs). While I’m still offering a healthy dose of fruits and veggies, their requests are usually for something crispy and brown. My air fryer has been a great companion for this because I can make literally ANYTHING crispy with a quick spritz of olive oil and a few minutes in a hot air fryer. I couldn’t believe how quickly they gobbled up crispy green beans the other night! This small kitchen appliance has been a lifesaver when it comes to getting good foods in my kids (even if I do have to disguise them in crispy fried goodness).
Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Tenders
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
My favorite way to make the world’s crispiest chicken tenders.
Ingredients
- 10 chicken tenders (1 lb.)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- olive oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Season chicken liberally with salt and pepper.
- Place eggs in a shallow bowl and whisk until fully beaten. In a second shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs, panko, and Parmesan.
- Dip chicken in the egg, then into the breadcrumb mixture and shake off excess and place on a large dish or cutting board.
- Spray both sides of the chicken generously with oil.
- In batches, cook the chicken about 5 minutes on each side, until the chicken is golden brown on the outside, crispy, and cooked through.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
Can’t Have Tenders Without Fries
While we have the air fryer up and running, we might as well throw in chicken tenders best friend: french fries! Russet, sweet, or any other potato work great as a companion to chicken tenders. You can buy the fries pre-cut and frozen or simply cut your own fries. We’ve like experimenting with a few seasonings, but mostly a dash of kosher salt does the trick. I also love a quick toss with minced fresh herbs.
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Sweet Potato Fries
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
My favorite sweet potato fries recipe EVER!
Ingredients
- 2 medium peeled sweet potatoes
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Slice each potato into even 1/4 inch thick fries.
- Transfer fries to a mixing bowl and lightly spray with oil and toss with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Cook in 2 or 3 batches (depending on your basket size) for 8 minutes, giving them a good shake halfway through. Avoid overcrowding in the basket.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes