Description
These Buffalo Chicken Tenders are a crispy, flavorful snack or meal made easy with an air fryer. The tender chicken is coated in a spicy wet batter and a cheesy breadcrumb mixture, then air fried to golden perfection. Served with blue cheese dressing, they’re perfect for game day, appetizers, or a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken Tenders
- 1 pound chicken tenderloin (about 8 tenderloins, tendons removed)
- 2 eggs
- 1 Tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder (divided)
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder (divided)
- 1 ½ teaspoons coarse kosher salt (divided)
- 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper (divided)
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup Italian breadcrumbs (Italian or plain)
- Oil spray
- 2 Tablespoons torn parsley (optional)
For Serving
- Blue cheese dressing
- Buffalo sauce (for brushing, amount as desired)
Instructions
- Make Wet Coating: In a bowl or large ziplock bag, combine the chicken tenderloins, eggs, hot sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Mix well until the chicken is evenly coated with the wet mixture.
- Make Breadcrumb Coating: In another bowl or ziplock bag, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, Italian breadcrumbs, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper until well combined.
- Coat Chicken: Add the coated chicken tenderloins to the breadcrumb mixture. Toss or shake to ensure every tenderloin is fully covered with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Prep Air Fryer: Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for optimal cooking.
- Air Fry Chicken: Arrange the breaded chicken tenderloins in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overlapping. Spray the tops of the tenderloins with oil to promote crisping. Cook at 400°F for 6 minutes.
- Flip and Continue Cooking: After 6 minutes, carefully flip the chicken over. Spray the exposed side with oil again. Continue cooking for another 6 to 8 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is golden brown.
- To Finish: Remove the cooked tenderloins from the air fryer. Using a pastry brush, brush each tenderloin with your favorite buffalo sauce to coat evenly.
- Serve: Serve hot with blue cheese dressing and optionally sprinkle with torn parsley for garnish.
Notes
- Be careful not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee the chicken is safely cooked to 165°F internally.
- Buffalo sauce quantity can be adjusted based on desired heat level.
- Blue cheese dressing pairs perfectly, but ranch dressing is a good alternative.
- For extra crispiness, double coat the chicken by repeating the wet and dry coating steps.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the air fryer to retain crispness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
