These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are crispy, flavorful, and easy to make. Plus, the 4-ingredient honey-mustard dipping sauce is a perfect match!
Try other air-fry recipes like Southwest Egg Rolls or Honey Mustard Chicken Sausage and Veggies.
Not sure about Air Fryers? Check out this Air Fryer Guide!
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Wow! If this recipe doesn’t convince you that having an air fryer is one of the best uses of kitchen space, I don’t know what will! I mean, maybe this Air Fryer Pizookie already convinced you?! These chicken tenders come together so easy and are cooked ridiculously fast. They’re crispy, crunchy, and loaded with texture and flavor.
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can make these in the oven too! They’re slightly less crispy and take just a bit longer, but I’m certain you’ll still be happy with the outcome!
Air Fryer Chicken Tender Ingredients
Batter:
- Egg and mayo: They provide flavor and liquid in the batter.
- Dijon mustard: I like Dijon, but yellow mustard works too.
- Flour: Flour thickens the breading to help it stick to the chicken.
- Spices: Add the spices to the batter to ensure the chicken gets the spices all over it.
Breading:
- Panko breadcrumbs: Create a crunchier texture than regular breadcrumbs. Here’s an article to explain it further. You can use leftover panko in this Turkey Meatloaf, Chicken Parm Stuffed Shells, or Chicken Tortellini.
- Cornmeal: Adds great flavor and texture. I prefer Alber’s® Yellow Cornmeal.
- Flour: I use all-purpose flour for this breading.
Dipping sauce:
- Use full-fat mayo, yellow mustard (not Dijon), honey, and honey BBQ sauce.
Quick Tip
Once all the tenderloins are battered and breaded, generously spray them with cooking spray. This promotes crisp, even browning in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Chicken Tender Sides
- French fries are a perfect side—air fry them before the chicken, then again for 1–3 minutes to warm. Or use frozen fries like Alexia’s® sea salt sweet potato fries.
- Try air frying veggies like Roasted Broccoli or Roasted Asparagus!
- Salads like Cucumber Salad, Italian Salad, or Olive Garden Salad are great too.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
- Chicken Melts with Cheddar cheese on French bread
- Chicken Chili made in the slow cooker
- Rotisserie Chicken Tacos super-fast prep!
- Chicken Shawarma Wraps with Tzatziki sauce
- Chicken Ramen Noodles with broccoli and a quick sauce
Quick Tip
I use, love, and recommend this air fryer. Air fryers vary a bit from brand to brand, so timing may need to be slightly tweaked.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins see note 1
- 1 cup buttermilk optional
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons mayo divided
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
- 1-1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1-1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1-1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs see note 2
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 cup flour
- Cooking spray
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons honey BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Optional Marinade: Pat chicken tenders with paper towel, trim fat, and remove tendons (try this easy hack!). Place tenders in a large container or bag, pour buttermilk over, and seal. Marinate in the fridge for 20–30 minutes (or up to overnight). Discard leftover buttermilk and pat tenders dry with paper towel.
- Whisk together 2 tablespoons mayo and the remaining “Chicken Batter” ingredients in a shallow bowl. In a second shallow bowl, Stir all “Chicken Breading” ingredients together. Use tongs to coat all tenders in batter, then dredge them generously in breading. Generously spray one side of tenders with cooking spray.
- Air Fryer Instructions: Set air fryer to 400°F. Place tenders in a single layer in the basket (cook in batches if needed). Cook for 5–8 minutes, flip, spray other side, and cook another 5–8 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 160°F (carryover heat will bring it to 165°F). Check smaller tenders sooner to avoid overcooking.
- Oven Instructions: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place breaded, sprayed tenders on a cooling rack on top of a baking tray. Bake for 10 minutes, flip tenders, spray the other sides, and bake for 7–10 more minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Combine mayo with all “Dipping Sauce” ingredients, adding salt and pepper to taste. Whisk and adjust seasonings as desired.
- Serve tenders hot with sauce for dipping! These don’t stay crispy when stored, so I recommend cooking only enough for one meal.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These are genuinely the best chicken tenders I’ve made! They make for a great chicken burger 😁
I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much Hamish!
These are hella great!
Ahh yeah!! Thanks Aaron! 🙂
will be making this soon can i use mushrooms as am a vegetarian can i use oven as i dont have an air fryer at home perfect for my office snacks will dm you if i make this and let you know how it goes Thanks Ramya
Sorry I meant Cant wait for me to make this soon for me can i use tofu i never had air fryer chicken tenders before perfect for my after office meals love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work