Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders: Easy, Mess-Free Recipe

These crunchy chicken tenders are a delicious and nostalgic treat that will take you back to the carefree days of enjoying beachside snacks as a child. The best part is that you don't have to worry about standing over a hot pot of sizzling oil to make them.

Air Fryer Chicken TendersPhoto byThe Pioneer Woman-Ree Drummond

With this easy recipe, you can enjoy the crispy, golden-brown homemade chicken tenders without the hassle. Just pop them in the oven and let them bake to perfection, giving you all the flavor and crunch without the mess and stress.

Here is how to get these nuggets from the fryer to you plate.

Ingredients you will need for this recipe

• 2 pounds chicken tenders
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt, divided
• 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (or 1/4 cup pre-grated parmesan cheese)
• Cooking spray
• Honey mustard, BBQ sauce, and ranch dressing for dipping

Follow these step-by-step instructions for the perfect tenders:

Step 1: Mix the chicken tenders, buttermilk, 1 teaspoon of seasoned salt, and ½ teaspoon of pepper in a zip-top plastic bag. Seal the bag and massage the buttermilk mixture into the tenders. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.

Step 2: First, put the flour on a small plate. Next, mix the eggs in a wide, shallow bowl. Then, in another wide, shallow bowl, blend together the panko, parmesan, the rest of the seasoned salt, and the remaining pepper.

Step 3: With a pair of tongs, take out the chicken from the buttermilk marinade (keep the marinade) and lay the chicken in a single layer on a plate lined with paper towels. Mix the leftover buttermilk marinade into the bowl with the eggs and whisk them together.

Step 4: Take 2 to 3 tenders, cover them in flour, dip in the egg mixture, then coat in the panko mixture. Keep repeating until all tenders are breaded. Spritz both sides of each tender with cooking spray for extra flavor!

Step 5: Place the tenders in a single layer, leaving about 1/2 inch of space between each batch. Cook in the air fryer at 380°F for 8 minutes. Flip and continue cooking until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F, which should take an additional 4 to 6 minutes. Repeat the process with the second batch of tenders. Serve right away with dipping sauces like honey mustard, BBQ sauce, and ranch dressing.

What to Serve with these Chicken Tenders

Don't forget the dipping sauces! You can go for the traditional ketchup or level up with some homemade ranch dressing, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or burger sauce (it's also amazing on chicken!). Serve the tenders with a side of air fryer French fries and you've got yourself a homemade fast food meal. You can also enjoy these tenders on a salad or with a simple vegetable side dish for a tasty, easy weeknight dinner.

This recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Tenders was created by Ree Drummond from the Pioneer Woman.