This Air Fryer Chicken Tenders recipe is one every air fryer fan needs in their recipe file. They’re crispy and delicious served as an appetizer, an entree or to create your own chicken tender sandwich at home.

Easy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

How do you may chicken in an air fryer? You can make chicken in pretty much any way you like in an air fryer using less oil, easy clean-up and it’s quick! I have several air fryer recipes in the recipe index that I use over and over again. You can use cooking spray or an oil mister to coat the breading before placing it into the air fryer for cooking. How to make juicy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

Make Marinade – In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup buttermilk, 2 tablespoons dill pickle juice and 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce.
Add chicken to the marinade and stir to coat with the buttermilk mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and place into the fridge for at least 1 hour (up to 24 hours.)
Make Breading – Use a whisk together the flour with seasoned salt, ground black pepper, granulated garlic, paprika and onion powder. Set aside.
Egg Wash – In a second large shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, remaining 1/2 buttermilk, dill pickle juice and a few dashes hot sauce.
Dredge Chicken – Remove one piece of the chicken from the marinade at a time and dredge into the seasoned flour mixture, coating it lightly. Shake off any excess flour then dip into the egg-buttermilk mixture coating both sides, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge a second time into the flour mixture. Have nearby a sheet pan or platter to place breaded tenders. Repeat process until all are breaded.
Air Fry – Spray the inside of the basket of the air fryer with cooking spray. Spray chicken pieces on all sides with cooking spray or brush gently with oil. Arrange in basket in an even layer leaving space between for air to circulate. Be sure there is no overlap. Spray the tops of the chicken pieces again with cooking spray.
Fry per the recipe flipping halfway through cooking. Repeat process frying in batches.
Serve immediately.

How to Make the BEST Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

Ingredients you’ll need to make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders: Chicken tenders or boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into strips, buttermilk, hot sauce, pickle juice, all purpose flour, seasoned salt, black pepper, granulated garlic, onion powder, paprika, cooking spray or an oil mister filled with peanut oil or vegetable oil.
Kitchen tools you’ll need: Air fryer, medium bowl, whisk, measuring cups and spoons, tongs, two shallow bowls or dredging trays, pastry brush, oil mister or cooking spray.
The size of the air fryer doesn’t really matter. Just cook in batches if you need to depending on the size of your appliance.
You can use actual chicken tenders or boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into strips for this recipe. Raw chicken tenders may cook more quickly so depending on the size and thickness, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly to accommodate.
When cooking any breaded item in an air fryer, it’s important to coat the breading with cooking spray, an oil mister or brush the exterior with oil. When using a brush, be gentle to prevent disturbing the coating.
If you are cooking in batches, preheat the oven to 200°F. Fit an oven safe rack into a sheet pan. place fried chicken into the oven to keep warm between batches.
Serve this recipe on its own or make into a hot sandwich with dinner rolls, slider rolls or kaiser rolls. You may also opt to slice and serve on top of a salad.
You can freeze this fried chicken recipe in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter until room temperature then warm in the air fryer at half the temperature for approximately 4 minutes per side.
Store leftovers in an airtight container or heavy duty foil in the refrigerator. Reheat in the air fryer at a lower temperature for approximately 2-3 minutes.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes to Make

Juicy tomato glazed Air Fryer Meatloaf.
Air Fryer Barbecue Chicken Breasts can be made with your favorite barbecue sauce.
Load these Air Fryer Baked Potatoes up with butter, sour cream, bacon and cheese.
Air Fryer Pork Chops are tender on the outside with a crispy outside.
Make the family Air Fryer Macaroni and Cheese for a side dish in no time.
Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken is finger licking good.
EASY Air Fryer Hamburgers.
Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers from The Pioneer Woman.

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