Air Fryer Chicken Fingers: The Perfect Quick Snack

Chicken fingers are a quick and easy meal to make in an air fryer, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a snack. They are healthier than fried chicken, as the air fryer uses less oil, and they are also a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sauces and sides. The chicken fingers are crispy and crunchy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside.

How to bread chicken fingers

To bread chicken fingers for the air fryer, you'll need to follow a few simple steps. Firstly, prepare your dredging station by getting three shallow plates. In the first plate, mix your chosen breadcrumbs with salt, pepper, and garlic powder (or any other seasonings you prefer). You can use regular, Italian, or Panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch. In the second plate, beat a couple of eggs. And in the third plate, add some flour – preferably all-purpose flour. You can also add some of the seasonings to the flour if you like.

Now it's time to coat the chicken. Take each chicken tender and coat it first in the flour, then the beaten egg, and finally, the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure each tender is well-coated before moving on to the next step.

Once all your chicken tenders are coated, place them in the air fryer basket. You may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket. Lightly spray the tenders with cooking spray or olive oil, and they're ready to be cooked!

How to cook chicken fingers in the air fryer

Chicken fingers are a great, easy meal to make in your air fryer. They're perfect as a quick snack or an easy dinner and can be served with a variety of sauces and sides. Here's a step-by-step guide to cooking chicken fingers in your air fryer.

Ingredients

You will need:

• Chicken tenders or chicken breasts cut into strips
• Olive oil or another oil of your choice (optional)
• Breadcrumbs (Panko is recommended for extra crunch)
• All-purpose flour
• Eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Your choice of seasonings (e.g. garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, dried thyme, oregano, basil, parsley flakes)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F. This is an important step as it helps the outside of the chicken get crispy without overcooking the inside.

Step 2: Prepare the chicken

If you're using chicken breasts, cut them into strips. Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels and place them in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil (if using) and toss to coat completely.

Step 3: Prepare the dredge

In one shallow bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you're using. In a second shallow bowl, beat the eggs. Add the flour to a third bowl. You can also add some of your seasonings to the flour for extra flavour.

Step 4: Dredge the chicken

Coat each chicken tender first in flour, then in the beaten egg, and finally in the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure each tender is well coated.

Step 5: Cook the chicken

Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, spraying them with cooking spray if desired. You may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 8 minutes, then flip the tenders and cook for another 7-8 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F when checked with a meat thermometer.

Tips

• You can serve chicken fingers with a variety of sauces, such as BBQ sauce, honey mustard, ranch, or sweet and sour sauce.
• For a low-carb option, serve with a low-carb dipping sauce and a side of asparagus, carrots, or green beans.
• To store leftovers, place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 4 months.

How to store chicken fingers

Storing chicken fingers correctly is important to ensure they remain tasty and safe to eat. Raw poultry should only be kept in the fridge for up to two days, and cooked chicken should be eaten within three days. If you're not going to eat your chicken fingers within this time frame, it's best to freeze them.

When storing chicken fingers in the fridge, keep them in an airtight container to maintain freshness and minimise the risk of contamination. They will stay good to eat for up to four days.

If you want to keep your chicken fingers for longer, freezing is a great option. Firstly, ensure your chicken fingers have cooled down to room temperature. Then, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag, removing as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn. Label the container with the date, and they will stay good for up to four months.

It's important to note that the quality of your chicken fingers may start to decline after two months, even if stored correctly. This is due to the potential for freezer burn, which can cause dry and unappetising meat. To avoid this, it's best to consume your frozen chicken fingers within two months.

When you're ready to eat your frozen chicken fingers, simply defrost them in the refrigerator. As a rule of thumb, allow 24 hours of defrosting in the fridge for every 4 pounds of chicken. So, for a standard portion of chicken fingers, they should be good to go in about 6 hours!

How to reheat chicken fingers

To reheat chicken fingers in an air fryer, first allow them to come to room temperature for about 10 minutes if they have been refrigerated. Then, preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 375°F. Place the chicken fingers in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each one so that the hot air can circulate. For extra crispiness, you can spray or brush the chicken fingers with a small amount of oil. Reheat for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the chicken is warmed through.

It is important to note that you should only reheat chicken in the air fryer once, as reheating it a second time will dry it out. It is also best to eat the chicken as soon as it has been reheated, and to store any uneaten leftovers separately.

What to serve with chicken fingers

Chicken fingers are a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides to add some variety and flavor to your plate. Here are some ideas for what to serve with chicken fingers:

Starchy Sides

Starches such as pasta, breads, rice, oats, potatoes, sweet potatoes, quinoa, corn, beans, and cereals can be a great source of energy, fiber, and B-vitamins. Some specific ideas include:

• French fries or sweet potato fries
• Potato wedges or JoJo's
• Mashed potatoes
• Buttermilk biscuits
• Potato salad
• Macaroni and cheese
• Okra in the air fryer
• Rice—try a copycat recipe of Texas Roadhouse seasoned rice
• Curly fries

Vegetable Sides

Vegetable sides are a great way to add some color and nutrition to your plate. Vegetables can be served plain, air-fried, or roasted. Some specific ideas include:

• Green beans—try them sautéed with butter, garlic, and sea salt
• Roasted vegetables—try them in an air fryer for a quick and easy option
• Spinach casserole
• Broccoli salad with bacon, red onion, craisins, and sunflower seeds
• Carrots—try them roasted with a butter, garlic, and parmesan mixture
• Asparagus, carrots, or green beans (frozen)
• Salad—try a Greek quinoa salad or a cucumber salad
• Zucchini chips
• Zoodles (spiralized zucchini) with garlic, tomatoes, fresh basil, and red pepper flakes

Fruit Sides

Fruit is a great way to add some sweetness and nutrition to your plate. Some specific ideas include:

• Apples—the sweetness of apples pairs well with the savouriness of chicken
• Fruit salad—try it with a honey lime dressing

Snacky Sides

For a fun and enticing meal, pair chicken fingers with some snack foods. Some ideas include:

• Dips and sauces—ketchup, ranch, honey yogurt, BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, honey sriracha sauce, or copycat Chick-Fil-A or Campfire Sauce
• Veggie sticks or pea crisps
• Grapes
• Pepperoni
• Sweet potato apple muffins
• String cheese
• Ants on a log

Other Sides

Some other side dish ideas include:

• Baked beans
• Fried pickles
• Coleslaw—try a red cabbage coleslaw
• Corn pudding
• Waffles
• Fried yellow squash

Frequently asked questions