Air Fryer Chicken Tenders: How Long Until They're Done?

Air fryers are a convenient and quick way to cook chicken tenders, with most recipes taking under 30 minutes. The cooking time depends on the thickness of the chicken and the model of the air fryer. The ideal temperature to cook chicken tenders in an air fryer is between 375F and 400F. The tenders are cooked when they are golden and crispy on the outside and the internal temperature reaches 165F.

How to season chicken tenders for the air fryer

Chicken tenders are a great, quick meal to make in the air fryer. They're easy to make from scratch because they're already cut into strips, so you don't need to worry about slicing up a raw chicken breast.

Seasoning and Breading

First, season the chicken with salt and pepper. Then, prepare your breading stations. Put two eggs in a shallow bowl and mix breadcrumbs and panko in another bowl. You can also add some flour to this breading mixture.

Next, it’s time to bread the chicken tenders. Dip each one in the egg and then in the breadcrumb mixture. Place them on a cutting board or baking tray and spray both sides of the chicken generously with oil.

Spices

If you want to add some extra spices to your chicken tenders, smoked paprika, onion and garlic powder, dried thyme, oregano, and basil are all great options. You can also use Italian seasoning as a substitute for the dried herbs.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F. Place the chicken tenders in a single layer in the basket and air fry for 5 to 6 minutes on each side, turning halfway. They’re done once they're cooked through and crispy and golden on the outside.

Serving

These chicken tenders go great with zucchini tomato orzo and lemon wedges for squeezing. For a more traditional option, serve them with regular French fries or sweet potato fries cooked in the air fryer.

How long to cook chicken tenders in the air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken tenders, and it's even better that there are so many ways to do it! Whether you're looking for a breaded or non-breaded option, there's a recipe for you.

Breaded Chicken Tenders

If you're looking for a breaded option, there are a few steps you'll need to follow. First, you'll need to prepare a breading station with a shallow bowl of beaten eggs and another shallow bowl with a mixture of breadcrumbs and spices. You can also add some flour to the eggs if you like. Then, dip the chicken tenders in the egg mixture and coat them with the breadcrumbs. Some recipes also suggest double-dipping the tenders in the egg and breadcrumbs to ensure a thick, crispy coating.

Once your tenders are breaded, spray them with some oil and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they're not overcrowded. Depending on the recipe, you'll want to cook them at a temperature between 375F and 400F. Cooking time will vary, but most recipes suggest cooking for around 5-6 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown.

Non-Breaded Chicken Tenders

If you're looking for a lower-carb option, you can also cook chicken tenders in the air fryer without breading. For this method, you'll want to pat the tenders dry and toss them in a large mixing bowl with some olive oil or avocado oil to coat them completely. Then, add your choice of spices. Some popular options include smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Once your tenders are spiced, place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at 380F-400F for around 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. They're done when they're golden brown and have an internal temperature of 165F.

Tips for Success

No matter which method you choose, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your chicken tenders turn out perfectly. First, always preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking. Second, if your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cook the tenders in batches to avoid overcrowding. Finally, if you're looking for an extra crispy coating, try brining your chicken tenders in a mixture of water, salt, and sugar for at least 30 minutes before breading and cooking them.

How to bread chicken tenders for the air fryer

Ingredients

To make chicken tenders in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• Chicken tenders
• Olive oil
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper
• Other spices/seasonings of your choice (e.g. smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, oregano, basil, cayenne pepper)

Method

Once you have gathered your ingredients, follow these steps:

• Season the chicken tenders with salt and pepper.
• Prepare your breading stations by putting eggs in a shallow bowl and combining breadcrumbs and any other desired spices/seasonings in another bowl.
• Dip each chicken tender into the egg, then into the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure to shake off any excess.
• Place the breaded chicken tenders on a large dish or cutting board and spray/drizzle both sides with oil.
• Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F.
• Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if necessary.
• Air fry for 5-10 minutes on each side, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown.
• Serve with your choice of sides and enjoy!

How to store leftover chicken tenders

Air fryer chicken tenders are a quick and easy meal to make, but what should you do with the leftovers? Here are some tips on how to store leftover chicken tenders to keep them fresh and safe to eat.

Firstly, it's important to cool the chicken tenders to room temperature before storing them. Leaving cooked chicken at room temperature for too long (more than two hours) can allow bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Staphylococcus aureus to multiply.

Once the chicken tenders have cooled, place them in a clean and dry, airtight container or seal them in a food-grade plastic bag. Make sure the container or bag is clean and dry to help retain the chicken's freshness and quality. Label the container or bag with the date, so you know how long the chicken has been stored.

Leftover chicken tenders can be stored in the refrigerator for three to four days. It's important to eat them within this time frame, as even when stored in the refrigerator, leftover chicken can pose a risk of foodborne illness if kept too long.

If you have a large amount of leftover chicken tenders and don't think you'll eat them within four days, you can freeze them. Place the tenders in a zip-top freezer bag, pressing out as much air as possible before sealing. Frozen chicken tenders can be stored for up to four months.

When you're ready to enjoy your leftover chicken tenders, there are a few ways to reheat them safely:

• In the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and place the chicken in an oven-safe dish. Cover the dish with foil to prevent drying out and cook until heated through (about 10-15 minutes for tenders).
• In a skillet: Preheat a skillet over medium heat with a small amount of oil or butter. Add the chicken and cover with a lid to retain moisture. Heat for 5-10 minutes, turning occasionally.
• In an air fryer: Set the air fryer to 350°F and cook the chicken for 3-5 minutes, regularly checking the internal temperature.
• In the microwave: Place the chicken in a microwave-safe container, adding a sauce or gravy to keep it moist. Cover and heat at medium power in intervals, checking the temperature after each interval.

Always ensure that reheated chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to destroy any harmful bacteria.

How to reheat chicken tenders

Preheat the Air Fryer

First, preheat your air fryer to 350–375°F. This will prevent extra moisture from getting into your chicken tenders.

Prepare the Chicken Tenders

Place the leftover chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave a little space between each tender so that the hot air can properly circulate and crisp up each one.

If you want to add a little extra crispiness, you can spray or brush the chicken tenders with a bit of olive oil. However, this is not necessary, and you may want to avoid this if you are watching your fat intake.

Reheat the Chicken Tenders

Air fry the chicken tenders for 3–5 minutes, or until they are warmed through. For best results, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F.

Serve

Remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and serve with your favorite sides and dipping sauce. Enjoy!

Tips

• If you are reheating larger pieces of chicken, you may want to air fry for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking.
• Always ensure that leftover chicken has cooled to room temperature before storing it in the refrigerator. If placed in the refrigerator while still hot, condensation will form, making the breading soggy and reducing the chance of the tenders re-crisping.
• Do not reheat chicken tenders more than once, as this increases the risk of foodborne illness.

Frequently asked questions