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–+ servings
Crispy fried chicken tenders coated in spicy sauce on parchment paper.

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Deliciously Air Fried crispy chicken tenders without the guilt!
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chicken, Chicken Tenders, Crispy
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 255kcal
Author: Lola Jay

Ingredients

Chicken Tenders

  • 2 lbs chicken breast 3 large chicken cutlets
  • 2 cups of flour
  • 3 cups cornflakes I actually had to make two batches of the cornflakes breading for the 4 servings (12 tenders).
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon Frank's Red Hot Sauce
  • 3 tablespoon Trader Joe's onion salt blend or onion powder do not sub for regular onion salt because it's too salty
  • 2 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp chipotle powder
  • Oil spray

Bbq sauce

  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup molasses
  • 2 cups ketchup
  • ¼ cup seedless blackberry preserves
  • ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon liquid smoke optional
  • 1 tablespoon dry spice rub of your choice i used the Trader Joe’s coffee bbq spice rub

Buffalo Sauce

  • ½ cup butter
  • 2 crushed garlic cloves
  • ½ cup Frank's Red Hot Sauce
  • 1.5 tablespoon white vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Start by slicing your chicken cutlets in threes.
    Sliced raw chicken breast on a cutting board, ready for cooking preparation. Healthy meal ingredient.
  • Season your chicken with olive oil, chipotle powder, 1 tablespoon of paprika, 1 tablespoon of onion powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
    Marinated chicken strips in a stainless steel bowl on a wooden cutting board, ready for cooking.
  • Season your flour with 1 tablespoon of onion powder.
    White plate with flour and spices on a wooden cutting board, ready for mixing. Ideal for cooking preparation visuals.
  • Lightly crush your cornflakes by hand and season with 1 tablespoon of onion powder and 1 tablespoon of paprika.
    Crunchy cornflakes on a white plate set on a wooden board, perfect for breakfast or snack.
  • Beat your eggs and add in your teaspoon of hot sauce.
    Creamy beaten eggs topped with a drizzle of sauce in a white bowl on a wooden board.
  • Bread your chicken by dredging in flour, followed by egg, followed by cornflakes. Make sure to fully cover with the cornflakes.
    Breading process with flour, beaten eggs, and cornflakes for crispy coating on a wooden cutting board.
  • Spray your tenders with oil and Air Fry at 400F for 18 minutes or until cooked. Be careful not to overcook and dry them out.
    Cornflake-crusted chicken tenders in an air fryer basket, ready to cook. Perfect crispy homemade recipe.

Buffalo Sauce

  • Start by heating your butter and then adding in your garlic. Saute until aromatic. About two minutes.
    Pan of bubbling butter on stovetop close-up, perfect for cooking or baking recipes.
  • Add in the rest of your ingredients and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
    Rich, golden curry sauce simmering in a black pot, perfect for hearty meals and flavorful dishes.

Barbecue Sauce

  • Combine all your ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer.
    Tomato sauce and spices simmering in a pan on an induction cooktop.
  • Cook for five minutes or until all ingredients are combined to taste.
    Rich chocolate sauce simmering in a pot on a stovetop, perfect for desserts or toppings.

Nutrition

Calories: 255kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 154mg | Sodium: 240mg | Potassium: 484mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 341IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 5mg