Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer
Ready in about 26 minutes.
Published by the RecipeAirFryer editorial team · How we source times · Updated
Times and temperatures come from our reviewed cooking database. Explanatory text on each page is generated from that entry so the numbers stay consistent.
Cook chicken tenders in an air fryer at 200°C / 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until the thickest part reaches 74°C / 165°F.
Written for 4. Cook in batches rather than stacking if you scale up.
Ingredients
- 500 g chicken tenders
- 60 g plain flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 100 g breadcrumbs (panko works best)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Cooking spray
Method
- 1Set up three bowls: flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs mixed with the salt, paprika and garlic powder.
- 2Coat each tender in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs, pressing to stick.
- 3Preheat the air fryer to 200°C / 400°F for 3 minutes.
- 4Arrange the tenders in a single layer and spray lightly with oil.
- 5Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and 74°C / 165°F inside.
- 6Serve with your favourite dipping sauce.
Tips for the best results
- Crunchy breaded chicken tenders that taste fried but are made with just a spritz of oil. Kids and adults both go back for seconds.
- Panko breadcrumbs give the crunchiest coating.
- Spray any floury spots with oil so they brown evenly.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Crowding the basket so air fryer chicken tenders steams instead of browning.
- Skipping the flip halfway, which leaves one side pale.
- Trusting the clock instead of a probe - Air Fryer Chicken Tenders is ready at 74°C / 165°F in the thickest part.
- Letting wet coating pieces touch, which peels the crust and keeps it soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long to cook chicken tenders in an air fryer?
Breaded fresh tenders take 10-12 minutes at 200°C / 400°F. Flip halfway. The USDA FSIS safe-temperature chart lists 74°C / 165°F as the safe temperature for chicken. Frozen tenders are a different timing: see the frozen chicken strips page.
What temperature and time for air fryer chicken tenders?
A typical starting point is 200°C / 400°F for 10-12 min, flip halfway. Thickness and wattage change the finish, so check early.
How do I know air fryer chicken tenders is cooked through?
Use a probe in the thickest part. Air Fryer Chicken Tenders should reach 74°C / 165°F. Rest a few minutes before slicing so juices settle.
How many people does air fryer chicken tenders serve?
This recipe is written for 4. For a fuller basket, cook in batches rather than stacking, or add a couple of minutes and shake more often.