Air Fryer Chicken Tenders: Cooking Time Perfection

Cooking chicken tenders in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a tasty meal. Depending on the thickness of the chicken, it should take between 7 and 12 minutes to cook chicken tenders in an air fryer. The air fryer should be preheated to a temperature of between 190C/375F and 400F.

Preheat the air fryer to 190C/375F or 400F

Once the air fryer has preheated, you can add the chicken tenders. Make sure they are in a single layer so that they cook evenly. You may need to cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.

If you are cooking the chicken tenders at 400F, they will take around 5 to 6 minutes on each side to cook through. For chicken tenders cooked at 375F, they will take around 7 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway through. Thicker chicken tenders may take a little longer, so it's important to keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook.

It's also a good idea to let the chicken tenders rest for a few minutes after cooking. This will help them retain their juices and ensure they are nice and tender.

Lightly grease the air fryer basket

To cook chicken tenders in an air fryer, you should first lightly grease the air fryer basket. This can be done by adding oil to a mixing bowl with the chicken tenders and mixing well. You can also spray both sides of the chicken generously with oil.

The air fryer should be preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are using a Celsius thermometer, preheat to 190 degrees.

Once the air fryer is preheated, add the chicken tenders to the basket in a single layer. This will ensure that they cook evenly.

The chicken tenders should then be cooked for 10-12 minutes, or 5-6 minutes on each side. Thicker chicken tenders may take a little longer. Halfway through the cooking time, flip the chicken tenders.

Once the chicken tenders are cooked, remove them from the air fryer basket and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Add chicken tenders and oil to a mixing bowl

To make chicken tenders in an air fryer, you'll need to add chicken tenders and oil to a mixing bowl. Drizzle the chicken tenders with olive oil and toss to coat them completely. You can also spray both sides of the chicken generously with oil. Then, mix the seasonings together in a small bowl and sprinkle them evenly over the chicken tenders. Make sure to mix well so that the chicken tenders are evenly coated.

Once the chicken tenders are coated in oil and seasonings, you can place them in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer. This will allow them to cook evenly. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius. Then, air fry the chicken tenders for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are cooked through and golden on the outside. For thinner chicken tenders, 7 to 8 minutes may be enough. Flip the chicken tenders once halfway through the cooking time.

If you prefer your chicken tenders extra crispy, you can cook them for 5 to 6 minutes on each side. This will give them a nice, golden colour and a crispy texture. Once they're cooked to your liking, remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer basket and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help retain their juices and ensure they stay tender and juicy.

You can also reheat any leftovers in the air fryer. Simply preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and heat the chicken tenders for 3 to 5 minutes, or until they are warmed through.

Mix in seasonings

Cooking chicken tenders in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal. After preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees F, you'll want to pat the chicken tenders dry and place them in a mixing bowl. Here's where the fun begins—mixing in the seasonings!

For the perfect mix of seasonings, you'll need a small bowl. Combine your favourite herbs and spices, such as garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also add a touch of cayenne pepper for a kick. Mix these seasonings together, ensuring they are well combined. Then, it's time to sprinkle this flavourful blend evenly over the chicken tenders. Don't be shy—coat those tenders generously!

You can use your hands or a spoon to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed. Massage the seasonings into the chicken, ensuring every tender is well coated. This step is crucial, as it infuses flavour into the chicken. You can also add a drizzle of olive oil to the tenders before seasoning to help the seasonings stick and create a juicy, crispy exterior.

Once the tenders are seasoned to perfection, it's time to air fry! Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Depending on the thickness of your tenders, they'll cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The result? Juicy, golden-brown chicken tenders that are cooked to perfection!

Air fry for 7-12 minutes, flipping halfway through

Cooking chicken tenders in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. After preheating the air fryer to 190C/375F-400F and lightly greasing the basket, you can add the chicken tenders to the basket in a single layer and air fry for 7-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chicken tenders and your desired level of crispiness. Thicker chicken tenders may require a longer cooking time, up to 12 minutes.

During the cooking process, it is important to flip the chicken tenders halfway through to ensure even cooking and browning. This helps to create a juicy and delicious final product.

Additionally, it is recommended to let the chicken tenders rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute and ensure a tender and moist texture. This step is crucial in achieving the perfect chicken tender consistency.

By following these simple steps and adjusting the cooking time as needed, you can easily cook juicy and flavourful chicken tenders in your air fryer.

Frequently asked questions