Skip the fast food restaurant – these golden, juicy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are way better! You’ll be amazed how fast and easy they are to make, complete with a crispy seasoned breading. Low carb option included! Show
Healthy Homemade Chicken Strips in the Air FryerIf there’s one recipe that’s universally popular, it’s got to be chicken tenders. Even the pickiest eater can’t resist chicken strips; fried golden-brown and crispy on the outside, with juicy white meat on the inside. And, foodies love them too! Plus, they go with all kinds of sides and sauces, from a garden salad with some ranch to a heap of mashed potatoes with savory brown gravy. Not to mention fries and honey mustard – you know I had to mention those! The only problem with chicken tenders is, well, frying them. Baked chicken tenders are a great solution, but if you really love that deep-fried flavor, then this recipe might just be your perfect option for homemade chicken strips. Thanks to the magic of the air fryer – and they are truly magical – you can whip up your own breaded and “fried” chicken strips in just minutes, and thy taste exactly like the real thing! What You’ll NeedTo make air fryer chicken tenders, you’ll need the chicken and a few items to make the breading mixture. This recipe includes a couple of keto-friendly options, so feel free to use those if you’re avoiding those carbs!
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken TendersWhether you’re deep-frying, shallow-frying, or air-frying, it’s helpful to set up your “breading station” ahead of time. Having a couple of damp paper towels or kitchen towels is nice, too, for wiping your fingers.
Do You Have to Preheat an Air Fryer?There are different opinions on this, but in general, I think it’s best to preheat. Air fryers are essentially tiny convection ovens that work very efficiently to circulate hot air all around your food. Since they’re so small, it’s often fine to skip the preheating step. That tiny oven will heat up in practically no time, unlike a large oven which takes more time to go from cold to hot. However, I still think food cooks best when it’s put into a heated oven, large or small, so I recommend preheating. Just know that this only takes a minute or two. Can You Put Aluminum Foil in an Air Fryer?If you’d like to line your air fryer basket with foil to minimize cleanup, that will totally work. Parchment liners can work too, although you should check the temperature limits on it if you are cooking at very high heat. The main rule of thumb to remember is to keep the parchment or foil INSIDE the basket – no loose ends poking out or into the air fryer’s heating elements. The second thing to know is that you should poke plenty of holes into the foil or parchment with a sharp knife, so that air can still circulate all around your food. Tips for SuccessI hope you’re inspired to try making your own chicken tenders at home, in your air fryer! If so, check out these helpful tips. They’ll ensure a perfectly delicious result, every time.
Yummy Serving SuggestionsAir fryer chicken tenders make a great appetizer, but they also make a fantastic dinner. All you need are a few hearty sides to round things out. Need inspiration? Check out these easy recipes:
Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Can I Freeze Homemade Chicken Strips?Yes, you can freeze chicken tenders cooked, or uncooked. Here’s how:
Skip the fast food restaurant, these golden, juicy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are way better! You’ll be amazed how fast and easy they are to make, complete with a crispy seasoned breading. Prep Time10 mins Cook Time10 mins Total Time20 mins Course: Appetizer, Dinner Cuisine: American Keyword: breaded chicken tenders, chicken strips, how to make chicken tenders Servings: 4 Calories: 481kcal
Calories: 481kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 53g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 206mg | Sodium: 503mg | Potassium: 730mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 202IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 3mg More Easy Chicken Recipes
Can you air fry with just flour?If you only have flour, it's fine to just use that. You can also substitute other starches, like potato starch, for the cornstarch. Do you use any oil in your air fried chicken recipe? I like to spray the chicken pieces with cooking spray oil after dredging them in the flour.
Can I put flour on my chicken in air fryer?It should work. The one exception might be if you like a very thick breading on your fried chicken. If you double dip your chicken in flour for the coating, it's going to be hard to hydrate all that flour in an air fryer, and you'll almost certainly end up with floury spots that haven't really cooked.
How do you make air fry with flour?Using tongs, dredge the chicken in the flour, then the buttermilk, and then lastly in the flour. Place in the bottom of the air fryer basket. Cook at 360 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Open the basket and spray any flour with the cooking spray.
Do you need breading for air fryer?Don't use a wet batter or coating.
But in an air fryer there is nothing to set a wet batter — it will just drip off while the food cooks. If you're after crunch, dredge your food in flour, egg and breadcrumbs instead.
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