I’ve made these air fryer chicken tenders at least 30 times because my kids are obsessed! My recipe includes the perfect blend of seasonings and they’re easy to make.
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My Favorite Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
My air fryer chicken tenders were created because my family absolutely loves chicken, but using breading can be a bit much to have so often.
I wanted to create a low-carb option that would make this recipe something we could eat again and again. And it turned out to do just that!
The flavors from the spices really make the chicken pop and even my kids are loving this one! I have to make it every other week for my son, who has been obsessed with dipping them in ketchup.
And, if you love making chicken tenders in the air fryer, try my buffalo chicken tenders, fried chicken tenders, panko chicken tenders, and even frozen chicken tenders!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with No breading
- Chicken tenders — I’ve used chicken breasts cut into strips instead, too
- Olive oil — I’ve also used vegetable or corn oil
- Smoked paprika — or normal paprika
- Onion and garlic powder
- Dried thyme, oregano, and basil — I find Italian seasoning works great as a substitute
- Salt and pepper
- Cayenne pepper
How to Cook Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
STEP TWO: Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels, then place them in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat completely.
STEP THREE: Mix the seasonings together in a small bowl, then sprinkle evenly over the chicken tenders.
STEP FOUR: Air fry the chicken tenders for 10-12 minutes, flipping once halfway through the cooking time, until they are cooked through and golden on the outside and hit an internal temperature of 165 degrees when using a meat thermometer.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Chicken Strips
- Place them in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer to allow them to cook evenly. If you need to, cook them in batches.
- To keep them keto-friendly, serve them with a low-carb dipping sauce like my favorite buffalo sauce recipe.
- Always let the air fryer preheat before adding the chicken tenders. This helps the outside of the chicken get as crispy as possible without overcooking the chicken.
- Reheat any leftovers in a preheated air fryer at 350 degrees F for about 3 to 5 minutes until warmed.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
On a normal night, I love to pair these with french fries, tater tots (my kids’ favorite), sweet potato fries, or onion rings. My kids dip them in ketchup and ranch while my favorite dipping sauces are BBQ sauce and honey sriracha sauce.
If I’m trying to keep this a low-carb meal, I serve them alongside asparagus, carrots, or frozen green beans along with a salad.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders FAQs
Can I Use Chicken Breasts Instead of Chicken Tenderloins?
Yes! I do this a ton when I only have chicken breasts in the house. Just use boneless skinless chicken breasts and cut them into thin strips to create chicken tenders.
How to Store leftover chicken Fingers
Store any leftover chicken tenders in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 or 4 days or freeze them for up to 3 to 4 months. Since this recipe uses no breading, I find they keep for that full time compared to breaded chicken tenders that can get a little more soggy.
Can I Cook Frozen Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer?
Yes, I do this all the time! If you’re using pre-cooked frozen chicken tenders from the store, just cook them in a preheated air fryer at 360 degrees for about 12 minutes.
Can I Cook Raw Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer?
Absolutely! This recipe is meant to be used with raw chicken tenderloins.
How Long to cook Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer with no breading
I find chicken tenders only take 10 to 12 minutes to cook in a preheated air fryer at 400 degrees F. Thicker chicken fingers may take a little longer.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- Air Fryer Fried Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- Air Fryer Orange Chicken
- Air Fryer Bone in Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu
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Easy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ – 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels, then place in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat completely.
- Mix the seasonings together in a small bowl, then sprinkle evenly over the chicken tenders.
- Air fry the chicken tenders for 10-12 minutes, flipping once halfway through the cook time, until they are cooked through and golden on the outside.
Video
Notes
- Reheat leftovers in a preheated air fryer at 350 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes, until the chicken strips are warmed thoroughly.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
How many chicken tenders are 1 Serving?
Hi Adri, it can depend on the size of your chicken tenderloins, but typically it’s around 3 chicken tenders.
These look great and I can’t wait to try them! Thank you Samantha!
I have made these a bunch of times. Such a yummy go-to recipe!!!
How about doing these with frozen tenders?
I have not cooked frozen chicken tenderloins to make these, but if you try it, let me know how it is!
To cook pre-cooked frozen chicken tenders, follow these directions: https://www.everydayfamilycooking.com/frozen-chicken-tenders-in-air-fryer/
This is literally my favorite recipe that I’ve come across in so long! Thank you so much for posting!
These were amazing! I’m super picky about chicken and this is now my go-to when I can’t grill outside. Super flavorful and not dry at all.
This recipe for the seasoning is the best I have tried. As such, it is our go-to for tenders, or thighs(bone in). Both are excellent. For thighs, preheat 5 minutes, then 10 minutes and flip at half way mark ( 5 minutes). Temp should be 165 degrees. We like the thighs better, but to each his own.
These were awesome. And much healthier than all that breading that is normal
I made this recipe exactly as written. It is delicious, tender, and extremely healthy (low carb and low bad fats) as long as you use a healthy dipping sauce. Even at the lower range of red pepper, it has the expected heat you should expect from a blackened dish. Start with that lower amount. After tasting the result, adjust accordingly up or down.
Hi Tim,
So glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks 🙂
Looks yummy but what can I use instead of Olive oil? I am allergic to anything Olive.
Hi Annette,
You can substitute it for any oil of your liking such as avocado oil or even vegetable oil.
Thanks 🙂
When I airfry I spray both sides with Pam instead of using liquid oil. These tenders are deeelicious! I brushed them with a bit of apple cider vinegar and honey thin glaze.
Hi Karen, please don’t use PAM in the air fryer as it contains soy lecithin and will gunk up your air fryer in the long run with the non stick. Here is some more information on that: https://www.everydayfamilycooking.com/air-fryer-oil/
This recipe is amazing! My husband raced and I made a batch of the seasoning to use for other things- really good in pork chops;
Hi Kim, Thanks for sharing! So glad you two enjoyed it!