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    Home » Cooking Method » Air Fryer » Air Fryer Chicken Tenders | Nuggets

    Air Fryer Chicken Tenders | Nuggets

    Posted on May 30, 2019 By Beth Neels

    428 shares
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Air fryer chicken tenders Pinterest image with text overlay.
    Air fryer chicken tenders Pinterest image with text overlay.
    Air fryer chicken tenders Pinterest image with text overlay.

    These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are delicious and extra crispy! A fraction of the fat and calories of fried chicken tenders! The breading is also gluten free!

    close up of air fried chicken wings

    Air fryers are a miraculous new invention. If you haven’t made the leap to air fryer cooking, now is the time to do so. Air frying takes a fraction of the time that baking does and the results you get are just as, if not more, effective at achieving that ever elusive crispy crust that we all long for in fried foods.

    air fryer chicken tenders on white plate with bowl of dipping sauce

    We love foods that are cooked in the air fryer. Although recipes require a bit of fine tuning, once you get the hang of your new air fryer, you can apply things that you have learned, through creating other dishes, to new foods. Each air fryer is different, so at first, constantly monitor your food so that it does not burn.

    air fryer chicken tenders on burlap background

    Are air fried chicken tenders healthy?

    Air fried chicken tenders will have considerably less fat than chicken tenders that are cooked in oil. 4 grams, as opposed to about 20 grams.

    The key with using your air fryer to make meals healthier for your family is to consider the fact that the key word in air fried, is fried.

    Although air fried foods require very little fat to get crispy, these are still breaded, so they will be less healthy than foods that are broiled, without the added carbohydrates.

    air fried chicken tenders on white plate with blue highlight

    Are these tenders gluten free?

    Yes. These Chicken Tenders are both Gluten Free and Dairy / Lactose Free for those of you on special diets. I prefer them to other breading because the corn flakes get extra crunchy.

    Don’t by packaged corn flakes crumbs, either. All you have to do to make your own is grind corn flakes cereal in your food processor for a few moments. Store them in an air tight bag in your pantry and you will have homemade breading at your finger tips.

    Ingredients you need

    • fresh chicken tenders or chicken nuggets.
    • crushed cornflakes – grind your own. It’s cheaper.
    • flour
    • eggs
    • paprika
    • black pepper – freshly cracked is best
    • kosher salt or sea salt

    Here’s how to make them

    1. Mix flour with salt and pepper in small bowl.
    2. Crack egg in another bowl. Whisk.
    3. Mix cornflake crumbs, salt, pepper and paprika in a third bowl.
    4. Dip chicken pieces in flour. Shake off excess.
    5. Dip in egg mixture, again, shake off excess.
    6. Press chicken down in cornflake mixture to adhere.
    7. Place on clean tray.
    8. Place chicken tenders in air fryer basket. Spray both sides with cooking spray.
    Flour mixed with salt and pepper in bowl. Eggs cracked in another bowl.

    Preheat air fryer to 425°F. Cook for 5-8 minutes on first side until browned. Flip with tongs and continue to air fry another 5-8 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

    air fried chicken tenders on plate

    What dipping sauces go well with chicken tenders?

    • Honey mustard Dipping Sauce
    • Comeback Sauce
    • BBQ sauce – your favorite homemade or store bought sauce
    • ranch dressing
    • Classic bleu cheese dressing
    chicken tenders on plate with sauce and sweet potato fries

    Now tell me you wouldn’t rather serve these to your kids instead of going to Mickey D’s!

    You don’t even have to feel bad serving them these chicken tenders and chicken nuggets with a nice salad and some sweet potato fries! (That is air fried sweet potato fries in the background. They need a bit of perfecting before I share that recipe with you, but I will soon!)

    Sauces for dipping

    Other delicious air fryer recipes

    • Air Fryer Pork Loin
    • Air Fryer Doughnuts
    • Beet Chips in the Air Fryer
    • Air Fryer Chicken Wings
    • Air Fryer Meatballs

    Tools I Use

    Contains affiliate links, for full disclosure, see FTC Disclosure, here.

    • Air fryer
    • Tongs
    • bowls

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    If you try this recipe, let me know how you like it in the comments below! I would love to hear from you!
    Also, don’t forget to FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest!

    That’s how easy it is to make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders. Thanks for stopping by today!

    Enjoy! And have fun cooking!

    Xoxo,

    Binky’s Signature
    Crispy chicken tenders on white plate with blue trim.

    Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

    These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are delicious and extra crispy! A fraction of the fat and calories of fried chicken tenders! The breading is also gluten free!
    See Step by Step Photos Above!Most of our recipes have step by step photos and videos! Also helpful tips so that you can make it perfectly the first time and every time! Scroll up to see them!
    4.67 from 9 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: entree, Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 323kcal
    Author: Beth Neels
    Cost: $3

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb chicken breast tenders
    • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1/4 tsp Salt
    • 1/4 tsp Pepper
    • 1 egg
    • 2/3 cup corn flake crumbs
    • 1/4 tsp Salt
    • 1/4 tsp Pepper
    • 1/2 tsp paprika
    • cooking spray

    Instructions

    • Preheat air fryer to 425°F.
    • Dip chicken tenders in flour, shaking off excess. Then dip in whisked egg, letting excess drip off. Next dip in corn flake crumbs, pressing down to adhere crumbs.
    • Place in air fryer basket, so that they do not touch. Spray with cooking spray on both sides.
    • Cook on first side 5-8 minutes, depending on your air fryer. Check often.
    • Once browned on the first side flip over carefully with tongs. Continue cooking for 5-8 additional minutes, until lightly browned, crisp. Internal temperature should be 165°F.
    Air Fryer – Cuisinart TOA60
    tongs
    mixing bowls
    See all of my favorite tools and gift ideas on my New Amazon Store!Check out Binky’s Amazon Store!

    Video

    Notes

    Air Fryers vary in wattage, and therefore in cooking times. This recipe is based using my Cuisinart TOA60. If your air fryer is different, carefully watch food the first time you make it, so that it doesn’t burn.
    Preheating your air fryer will give you the best, crispiest result. Check your brand of air fryer user manual to see if preheating is recommended.
    Air fryers preheat in about 3-4 minutes.
    Use cooking spray or a fine mist sprayer to spray food prior to cooking, with the exception of baked goods.
    Don’t overcrowd foods so air can circulate all around. 
    Flip foods over half way through cooking. 
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 113mg | Sodium: 434mg | Potassium: 512mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 800IU | Vitamin C: 9.7mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 12.5mg
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    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you click the link and purchase something, at no additional cost to you. See FTC Disclosure, here.

    Originally published 4/1/19 Updated 1/25/2022.

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    428 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Elven Lindblad

      May 14, 2020 at 7:40 pm

      2 stars
      Very soggy, even following the recipe to the letter. Needed an extra seven minutes to be edible. First time visitor, last time trying this website.

      Reply
      • Beth Neels

        May 15, 2020 at 9:52 am

        Hi Elven, I’m sorry your tenders weren’t done. I have clearly stated in the recipe card and in the article that air fryers differ in wattage, and therefore, in cooking times. If they needed additional time, you just should have cooked them for longer and they would have been crispy. Also, notice in the recipe that the internal temperature of the chicken must be a minimum of 165°F.

        Reply
    2. Matt Ivan

      May 31, 2019 at 1:27 pm

      5 stars
      I plan on getting an air fryer soon and this will be one of the first recipes I make!

      Reply
      • Beth Neels

        May 31, 2019 at 3:54 pm

        I just love mine Matt! Everything we have made in it turned out fantastic! Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    3. Tisha

      May 31, 2019 at 1:16 pm

      5 stars
      I need to get an airfryer! These look so crispy and perfect!

      Reply
      • Beth Neels

        May 31, 2019 at 1:21 pm

        We just love our air fryer! Everything we cook in there comes out perfect! Even doughnuts! Thanks Tisha!

        Reply
    4. Kate

      May 31, 2019 at 12:36 pm

      5 stars
      I love air fryer recipes and these chicken tenders look so crispy and delicious! Really can’t wait to try these!

      Reply
      • Beth Neels

        May 31, 2019 at 12:45 pm

        Thanks Kate! We love our air fryer! Have a great weekend!

        Reply
    5. Sara Welch

      May 31, 2019 at 12:34 pm

      5 stars
      This came together so quickly and was a big hit with my kids! I will definitely be making these again in the near future! So yummy!

      Reply
      • Beth Neels

        May 31, 2019 at 12:46 pm

        Great! I’m so glad they enjoyed them Sara! Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    6. Deanne Frieders

      May 31, 2019 at 12:07 pm

      5 stars
      These are so good and our family loves them! Thanks for introducing us to them!

      Reply
      • Beth Neels

        May 31, 2019 at 12:21 pm

        Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed them!

        Reply
    7. Alexis

      April 08, 2019 at 12:00 pm

      5 stars
      I just got an air fryer. I have been searching for recipes and stumbled across your site. Are you planning to do air fryer shrimp recipes? That would be fun to see what you do.

      Reply
      • Beth Neels

        April 08, 2019 at 12:21 pm

        I definitely am doing shrimp recipes! Several of them that I can think of off the top of my head! I have one recipe in testing right now! Stay tuned! And thanks Alexis!

        Reply

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    Welcome! Thanks for stopping by! I am Beth "Binky" Neels, wife, mother of 2 boys and 3 dogs! I will impart tips and tricks I have learned over the years, to make cooking easier and fun for you!

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