© 2026 AirFry Pro
RecipesGuideCalculatorBest Air FryersSuggest
PrivacyTerms
Classic Chicken Tenders
Back
High ProteinKid-Friendly
Chicken

Classic Chicken Tenders

4.9(3)
14 min
Time
400°F
Temp
300 cal
Cal
4
Serves

Ingredients

Chicken
1.5 lbs chicken tenders
1 cup buttermilk
Salt & pepper
Breading
1 cup flour
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp onion powder
Dipping
Honey mustard
BBQ sauce
Ranch

Equipment

  • Instant-Read Meat Thermometer
  • Oil Sprayer Mister
  • Air Fryer Parchment Liners

Steps

  1. 1

    Soak tenders in buttermilk with salt for at least 30 minutes (up to overnight).

  2. 2

    Mix flour with garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder in one bowl. Panko in another.

  3. 3

    Remove tenders from buttermilk. Dredge in seasoned flour, shake off excess, then press into panko.

  4. 4

    Spray both sides with oil. Air fry at 400°F for 6-7 minutes per side until golden and 165°F internal.

  5. 5

    Serve with honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or ranch.

💡

Tip: The buttermilk soak tenderizes the meat and helps the breading stick. Don't skip it — plain tenders taste dry and the coating falls off.

🎉

How did it turn out?

Share your result and inspire others

Liked this recipe? There's more.

Get new recipes straight to your inbox.

More Chicken

Honey Garlic Crispy Wings
25 min400°FEasy

Honey Garlic Crispy Wings

Zero-oil wings with a sticky honey-garlic glaze that caramelizes to perfection.

4.7(3)
280 cal
Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders
15 min400°FMedium

Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders

Buttermilk-soaked tenders with fiery cayenne butter glaze. Iconic heat.

4.7(2)
350 cal
Chicken Katsu
18 min400°FEasy

Chicken Katsu

Ultra-crispy panko-crusted chicken cutlets pounded thin for even cooking. Served with tonkatsu sauce and shredded cabbage.

4.7(2)
340 cal