Air-Fryer Chicken Fingers: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Chicken fingers, tenders, or strips — whatever you call them, they're a favourite for many. And if you're looking to make them in an air fryer, you're in luck! This cooking method yields chicken that is tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, without the grease of deep-frying.

Seasoning the chicken

After seasoning, you can proceed to bread the chicken tenders. For an extra crispy texture, spray the chicken with olive oil, avocado oil, or any other neutral oil spray.

Brining the chicken

To brine your chicken, start by mixing water, kosher salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Keep whisking until the salt and sugar granules are dissolved. Then, submerge the chicken tenders in the solution and let them brine for at least 30 minutes. For best results, leave them to brine overnight in the refrigerator.

After brining, it's crucial to pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. This step will help the subsequent egg and breading mixtures adhere better, resulting in a crispier coating.

If you're short on time, you can opt to sprinkle the chicken with a 2:1 ratio of salt and sugar instead of brining. This will still help keep the chicken moist and flavourful during cooking.

Preparing the wet batter

To make the wet batter for your chicken fingers, you will need eggs, flour, and a seasoning mix.

Firstly, prepare your seasoning mix by combining kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. You can adjust the measurements of each ingredient to your taste.

Next, make the wet batter by mixing two eggs with flour and one teaspoon of the seasoning mix. The consistency should be slightly looser than pancake batter. If it's too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

Now you're ready to dip your chicken tenders into the wet batter, allowing any excess to drip off before moving on to the next step of coating them with breadcrumbs!

Dredging the chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Dredge Mixture

Firstly, you will need to prepare the dredge mixture, which will act as the crispy coating for your chicken fingers. In a shallow bowl, combine dry ingredients such as breadcrumbs, flour, and your choice of seasonings. You can use regular breadcrumbs, but panko breadcrumbs are highly recommended for an extra crunchy texture. Season with salt and pepper, and feel free to add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, or Italian seasoning to amp up the flavour. Mix everything together until evenly distributed.

Step 2: Prepare the Wet Mixture

In a separate shallow bowl, prepare a wet mixture that will help the dredge adhere to the chicken. Beat one or two eggs, depending on the amount of chicken you are preparing. You can also use alternatives like buttermilk or yogurt if you prefer not to use eggs.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Now it's time to coat the chicken tenders with the dredge mixture. Start by coating each tender with flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip the floured tenders into the wet mixture, ensuring they are well-coated. Finally, dip them into the dredge mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs firmly onto all sides of the chicken tender with your hands. Make sure there are no bald or damp spots, as this will ensure the breading stays intact during the air frying process.

Step 4: Spray with Oil

Once your chicken tenders are nicely coated, give them a generous spray of oil on both sides. This step is crucial, as it helps to achieve that golden, crispy texture in the air fryer. You can use a neutral oil spray like avocado, canola, or olive oil.

Step 5: Repeat for Remaining Chicken

Repeat the dredging process for the rest of your chicken tenders. If needed, you can place the coated tenders on a baking sheet or cutting board while you work on the others.

Tips for Dredging:

• Be generous with your seasonings and oil spray to ensure a flavourful and crispy coating.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer. Cook the tenders in batches if necessary, ensuring there is space between each tender for even cooking.
• If you have time, brining the chicken tenders before dredging can help retain moisture and ensure juiciness during the air frying process.

Air-frying the chicken

Preparing the Chicken:

First, you'll want to prepare your chicken tenders. You can either buy pre-cut chicken tenderloins or cut chicken breasts into strips. If you have the time, brining the chicken tenders for 30 minutes or even overnight will make them extra juicy. To brine, simply mix water, salt, and sugar in a bowl, submerging the chicken tenders in the solution. This step is optional but highly recommended for a juicier piece of meat.

Breading the Chicken:

Set up your breading station with three shallow plates or bowls. In the first bowl, place some all-purpose flour with seasonings like paprika, parsley, salt, and pepper. You can also add garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper to the flour for extra flavour. Beat an egg or two in the second bowl. In the third bowl, combine breadcrumbs with the same seasonings used in the flour. You can use regular, Italian, or panko breadcrumbs for that extra crunch.

Now, it's time to bread the chicken. First, coat each tender with the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the beaten egg, letting any excess drip off. Finally, toss it into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs firmly into the chicken to ensure an even and secure coating.

Air-Frying:

Preheat your air fryer to between 390-400°F (200°C). Place the breaded chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Spray the tenders with cooking spray or a neutral oil spray like avocado or olive oil.

Air fry the tenders for 8 minutes, then flip them over and spray the other side with more cooking spray. Continue cooking for another 4-7 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the centre of the chicken should read 165°F (74°C) when they are done.

Your chicken tenders are now ready to be devoured! Serve them with your favourite dipping sauces and enjoy the crispy, juicy goodness!

Frequently asked questions