How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders without Breading

breadcrumbs

🥗Healthier: panko breadcrumbs

💰Cheaper: crushed cornflakes

Panko provides a lighter texture, while cornflakes are often less expensive.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated mozzarella

Nutritional yeast is lower in calories, while mozzarella is typically cheaper.

If you haven't done so already, be sure to cut the tendons off the chicken tenders.

Gently dab and dry off your chicken with some paper towels and place in a small bowl. Drizzle the olive oil on and coat it all to coat.

Once it's oiled, add all the spices: smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic, salt and pepper. Stir well to coat.

If your air fryer has a pre-heat function, go ahead and preheat it, setting the temperature to 400 degrees F. If it doesn't have a pre-heat function, pre-heat your air fryer for 3 minutes on 400.

Once the air-fryer is up to temp, spray some cooking oil on the air-fryer basket/rack and gently place the chicken tenders inside in a single layer, nothing overlapping. Cook the tenders for 10 minutes, flipping the chicken half-way through the cook with tongs.

Once the air-frying is complete, be sure to check the internal temperature of the fattest piece of chicken to make sure it is at least 165 degrees.

Remove chicken and keep warm in a 200 degree oven or serve immediately.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens