Perfect Panko Chicken Tenders Air Fryer Recipe
If you want crispy chicken tenders that aren’t deep-fried and can easily be made at home in just 30 minutes – then his panko chicken tenders air fryer recipe is for you! It creates restaurant quality tenders that are moist on the inside while being perfectly crisp on the outside.
Total Servings: 4
Total Cost: $19.50
Cost Per Serving: $4.88
Table of Contents
Ingredients & Costs*
1 lb chicken tenderloins ($5.72)
2 eggs ($3.42)
3/4 tsp salt ($0.74)
1/2 tsp pepper ($2.82)
1/2 tsp paprika ($1.18)
1/2 tsp garlic powder ($1.18)
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs ($2.22)
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs ($2.22)
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*Food costs may vary and can change over time. The prices listed were the current prices of these ingredients when this recipe was made at the time of this post. Almost all our ingredients are purchased from Walmart as we live in a small town without any other options. If you notice a significant price difference, please let us know at hello@freshgains.com so we can update this post.
FAQs About This Panko Chicken Tenders Air Fryer Recipe
Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken tenderloins?
If you use chicken breasts instead of chicken tenders, make sure you slice breasts into smaller strips that are close in size to chicken tenderloins. Using a whole chicken breast will likely cause the chicken to dry out much more when cooking.
How long will these chicken tenders last in the refrigerator?
These air fryer chicken tenders will last up to four days in the refrigerator, when stored properly in an airtight container. I would recommend using a glass container to store these chicken tenders and placing a sheet of paper towel between any layers of chicken tenders in the container. This will help keep the chicken tenders separate and fresh.
Can I freeze these chicken tenders?
Yes, this a great freezer meal! If you plan on freezing this recipe, place the chicken tenders on a baking sheet after cooking, then place them in the freezer for approximately 6 hours, until they are frozen through. Once frozen, place the air fryer chicken tenders in an airtight container and be sure to remove as much are as possible before sealing. When frozen properly, these tenders should last at least a few months in the freezer.
When you’re ready to reheat the chicken tenders, simply air fry them on 400°F for eight to 10 minutes, until warmed through. Turn off the air fryer and leave them inside, with the lid closed, for about five minutes to allow them to continue to warm. Then remove and serve.
My chicken tenders aren’t coming out crispy, what can I do?
If your chicken tenders are lacking crispiness, it is likely because they contain too much moisture when they’re dipped into the egg. You’ll want to make sure that your chicken tenders are as dry as possible. You can help them dry by placing them in front of a fan for about five minutes and/or patting them dry with a paper towel. You can also coat the air frying basket and the top of the chicken tenders with baking spray before cooking. Both of these tricks will help the chicken tenders come out crispy!
Where can I find the recipe to the fries pictured with this recipe?
The pictured fries can be found here: home fries recipe oven baked. These fries are perfectly seasoned and make the perfect side to these chicken tenders!
Tips to Make These the Best Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Leave space between the chicken tenders: Depending on how many chicken tenders you’re making, and how large your air fryer is, you may be tempted to pack-in the tenders. But make sure you avoid doing this! Leave space between the chicken tenders in the air fryer and try to prevent them from touching or overlapping. This will allow for better air circulation and even cooking. If you’re cooking a large number of chicken tenders, its best to do it in batches!
Use panko bread crumbs: You’ll want to make sure you’re using panko bread crumbs in this recipe. Panko bread crumbs are large flakes that crisp perfectly in the air fryer. Definitely avoid substituting this ingredient.
Use your hands wisely: When making this recipe, I use one hand to dip the raw chicken in the egg and my other hand to help cover the chicken breast in panko bread crumbs.
Try different variations: This recipe can easily be modified to create totally different flavors. You can easily make it cheesy by adding parmesan cheese to mixture of panko bread crumbs, garlic and paprika. Or, if you’re looking for buffalo chicken tenders, add hot sauce to the tenders after they are coated in seasoning. Or add Cajun seasoning to the panko bread crumbs, garlic and paprika to spice it up!
Perfect Panko Chicken Tenders Air Fryer Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder and bread crumbs. In another small bowl, whisk the eggs.
- Dip the chicken in the eggs, then in the crumb mixture. Patting the mixture onto the chicken will help it stick through the cooking process. Continue the process until all chicken tenders are prepared (unless cooking multiple batches).
- Coat the air fryer tray with baking spray, then arrange the chicken in the single layer. Spritz the top of the chicken with baking spray.
- Cook for approximately 7-8 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 7-8 minutes. Cook until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165°F.
