Air fryer recipe · Starters
Crunchy Air-Fryer Chicken Tenders
Shatter-crisp breading wrapped around tender, juicy chicken strips.
- 14 minTotal time
- 200°CAir fryer
- 3Serves
- Non-vegetarianDiet
Nutrition per serving
- 200kcal
- 13.7 gprotein
- 31.5 gcarbs
- 3.6 gfat
- 0.2 gfibre
Per serving, about 3 servings. Figures are estimates from standard ingredient databases, not medical, dietetic, or nutritional advice.
Ingredients
- Frozen breaded chicken tenders8 pieces
- Oil spray1 tsp
- Smoked paprika1/4 tsp
- Black pepper1/4 tsp
- Honey mustard dip1/3 cup
Method
Preheat to high
Run the air fryer empty at 200°C for 3 minutes first. Starting with a hot basket gives the breading an immediate sear the moment it goes in, so it crunches up crisp rather than slowly softening against a cold surface.
Mist and season
Mist the frozen tenders on both sides with oil and dust them with the smoked paprika and black pepper. The light oil revives the dry frozen breading and helps it brown into a deep, even gold instead of chalky patches.
Lay in one layer
Place the tenders flat in a single layer with a little space around each strip. Pieces that overlap trap steam between them, which leaves the breading pale and damp exactly where they touch instead of crisp all over.
Air-fry and flip once
Air-fry at 200°C for 14 min, flipping the tenders at the 8-minute mark. They are done when the crust is deeply golden and crisp and the juices run clear with no pink inside; serve straight away with the honey mustard dip.
