Air Fryer Chicken Tenders: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Chicken tenders are a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or as an appetizer. They can be paired with a variety of sides, including vegetables, pasta, or salad, and can be made in an air fryer for a quick and easy weeknight meal. The cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the brand and size of your air fryer, but the basic steps for cooking chicken tenders in a NuWave air fryer remain the same.

How do I cook chicken tenders in a NuWave Air Fryer?

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C)

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your chicken tenders will cook evenly and efficiently. To preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C), simply press the "Pre-Heat" button and set the desired temperature. Depending on the make and model of your air fryer, it should take around 3-5 minutes to preheat. You can also use this time to prepare your chicken tenders.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can coat your chicken tenders with a layer of cooking spray or a neutral oil spray. Be sure to spray both sides of the tenders for even cooking. You can also season the chicken tenders with a variety of spices and herbs, such as white pepper, dried parsley, rosemary, thyme, cumin, or mustard powder. This is a good step to include if you want to add extra flavour to your chicken tenders.

After you have sprayed and seasoned the chicken tenders to your liking, it's important to place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. This ensures that the hot air can circulate around each tender, cooking them evenly. Place the tenders in the basket with the sprayed side facing down, so that the top side can get sprayed once more.

Once the air fryer has preheated to the desired temperature of 400°F (200°C), you can place the basket of chicken tenders inside and set the timer for the initial air fry of 8 minutes. This is the baseline cooking time, and you may need to adjust it slightly depending on your preferred level of crispiness and the specific model of your air fryer.

Prepare the chicken tenders

Preparing chicken tenders for cooking in a NuWave air fryer is a simple process. Firstly, you will need to decide on a seasoning for your chicken. A simple combination of flour, paprika, parsley, seasoned salt, and pepper is a great option. Alternatively, you could use a mixture of breadcrumbs and coconut, or just regular breadcrumbs. If you're feeling adventurous, you can add some garlic powder and onion powder to your flour for an extra kick of flavour.

Once you've decided on your seasoning, take a large bowl and combine your chosen dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, beat an egg. Take each chicken tender and dredge it in your seasoned flour, or your chosen dry ingredient. If you're using flour, make sure that it is thoroughly coated and that there are no bald spots. Then, dip the tender into the beaten egg, and then back into your dry ingredient. If you're using the breadcrumb and coconut mixture, simply dip the tender into the egg and then into the dry mixture.

Finally, spray the top side of the chicken tenders with a neutral oil spray. You can also use butter cooking spray. Place the tenders in the air fryer basket with the sprayed side facing down. Spray the other side of the tenders with another layer of spray.

Cook for 8 minutes

To cook chicken tenders in a NuWave air fryer, start by pressing "Pre-Heat" and setting the temperature to 380–400°F. You can then coat the chicken tenders with a layer of spray and place them in the air fryer basket.

Now, this is where the 'cook for 8 minutes' part comes in. Set the timer for 8 minutes and let the chicken tenders cook at this temperature. This is the initial baseline for cooking chicken tenders in an air fryer.

During these 8 minutes, the outside of the chicken tenders will start to cook and crisp up. The high temperature and airflow of the air fryer will create a golden, crispy exterior. The exact cooking time will depend on the model and power of your air fryer, so keep an eye on the chicken tenders to ensure they don't overcook.

After 8 minutes, you'll want to flip the chicken tenders to ensure even cooking on both sides. Then, you can air fry them again for another 4–6 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your chicken tenders.

Finally, check that the internal temperature of the chicken tenders reaches 165°F to ensure they are fully cooked and safe to eat.

Flip the tenders and cook for another 4-6 minutes

After the initial 8-minute air fry at 400°F (200°C), it's time to flip the tenders and prepare them for the second air fry. This is the step that will give your chicken tenders that beautiful golden colour and crispy texture.

For the second air fry, you'll want to set your air fryer to the same temperature of 400°F (200°C) and cook the tenders for another 4-6 minutes. This timing may vary depending on your desired level of crispiness. If you're using a NuWave Air Fryer, you can simply flip the tenders over and set the timer for another 4-6 minutes at the same power level.

It's important to note that air fryers can vary by model and power, so the cooking time may need to be adjusted slightly. The key is to keep an eye on your tenders to ensure they don't overcook and dry out. You're aiming for that perfect golden crust.

While the tenders are cooking, you can prepare a side dish or dipping sauce. Some great side options include roasted vegetables or a simple salad. For a dipping sauce, you can go for something sweet and spicy or a classic honey mustard.

Once the tenders have reached your desired level of crispiness, it's important to remove them from the air fryer promptly to prevent overcooking.

Reheating and storage

Once cooked, allow your chicken tenders to cool down. Then, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

To reheat, simply pop them back in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 4-5 minutes. This will ensure they are warmed through and the exterior remains nice and crispy.

You can also freeze uncooked chicken tenders. Place them in a single layer in the freezer until they are frozen solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag and they will keep for up to 3 months. When you are ready to cook them, follow the same cooking instructions but add an extra 2-4 minutes of cooking time after the first flip. Ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C).

Frequently asked questions