Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins?

Absolutely! Slice chicken breasts into strips about 1-inch thick. They might need an extra minute or two of cooking time depending on their thickness, so be sure to check the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

My coating isn't getting as crispy as I'd like. What am I doing wrong?

The secret to crispy tenders is making sure they're well-coated with olive oil spray before air frying. Also, don't overcrowd the basket - the air needs to circulate around each tender. If they're still not crispy enough, try increasing the temperature by 10 degrees or cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes.

How can I make these less spicy for my kids?

For a milder version, skip the hot sauce in the egg mixture and use just water instead. When coating with buffalo sauce, you can use a milder sauce or even mix buffalo sauce with a bit of melted butter to reduce the heat. Alternatively, keep some tenders unsauced and serve with honey mustard or BBQ sauce.

Can I prepare these ahead of time and cook later?

Yes! You can bread the chicken tenders up to 24 hours ahead and store them covered in the refrigerator. When ready to cook, spray with olive oil and air fry as directed. The coating might not be quite as crispy as freshly breaded tenders, but they'll still be delicious.

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders Recipe

Description

Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, these air fryer buffalo chicken tenders deliver the perfect balance of heat and flavor with a healthier cooking method. A quick and satisfying meal that brings the restaurant experience home!

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon hot sauce
1 pound chicken tenderloins
2–4 tablespoons buffalo sauce
Olive Oil Spray

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Instructions

Preheat the Air Fryer: If your air fryer requires preheating, preheat to 400°F to ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness.
Prepare the Flour Mixture: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until well combined. This seasoned coating will create a flavorful crust around the chicken.
Make the Egg Wash: In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the eggs, water, and hot sauce until fully combined. The hot sauce in the egg wash adds an extra layer of flavor to the tenders.
First Coating: One at a time, place each chicken tenderloin into the flour mixture and coat on all sides, shaking off any excess. This initial dusting helps the egg wash adhere better.
Egg Dip: Transfer the floured tender into the egg mixture until fully coated, allowing any excess egg to drip off. This creates the binding layer for the final coating.
Final Coating: Return the tender to the flour mixture and pack the flour on to form a substantial crust. Shake off any excess flour. This double-dredging technique creates an extra crispy exterior.
Prepare for Air Frying: Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray, then place the tenders inside without touching each other (work in batches if necessary). Spray the tops well with more olive oil spray, ensuring there are no dry patches.
Air Fry the Tenders: Cook for 10 minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway through the cooking time. After flipping, spray again with olive oil spray. The tenders are ready when golden brown and the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F.
Add Buffalo Sauce: Place the cooked tenders into a large bowl and add 2 to 4 tablespoons of buffalo sauce (depending on your spice preference). Gently toss the tenders in the sauce or brush it on for an even coating.
Serve: Transfer to a serving plate and serve with your favorite dipping sauce such as ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Notes

You can use chicken breasts cut in long strips instead of tenderloins.
Use your favorite hot or buffalo sauce depending on your spice preference.
These are very lightly spiced. If you don’t like spice at all, omit the hot sauce in the egg mixture and use an additional 1 tablespoon of water.
Even after spraying the air fryer basket well with olive oil spray, the tenders may stick slightly during the mid-way flip. Use a spatula to turn the tenders over instead of tongs for best results.
Serve with dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese for a restaurant-style experience.
For extra crispy tenders, make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories: 302kcal
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 950mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 27g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 29g
Cholesterol: 140mg