Buffalo Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer
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These are the ultimate air fryer buffalo chicken tenders! If you’re a fan of crispy and juicy chicken tenders, this recipe will blow you away. Whether you’re planning a game day snack, a quick and easy dinner, or simply craving something spicy, this recipe is sure to satisfy that craving! Serve these these buffalo chicken tenders with your favorite blue cheese dressing and some celery sticks for a classic combo.
Air Fryer Chicken is the Best!
I enjoy making homemade buffalo chicken tenders in the air fryer, and I’m sure you will too! The combination of a super crispy exterior and a juicy, tender interior is simply unbeatable. Not only is this recipe easy to make, but it also packs a spicy kick.
(If you love buffalo sauce, you must also check out my recipe for air fryer buffalo cauliflower!)
Have you ever made chicken in the air fryer? I’ve made a wide variety of recipes, including boneless barbecue chicken thighs, garlic parm wings and air fried chicken legs. The air fryer eliminates the need for a lot of oil while still getting crispy chicken. Once you try chicken in the air fryer, you’ll be hooked like me!
Recipe Ingredients
To make these buffalo chicken tenders, you’ll need the following simple ingredients:
- chicken tenderloins: remove the white tendon, if needed
- buffalo sauce: your favorite brand. I used Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce.
- panko crumbs: I used plain but you could also use Italian if that is what you have available or even a gluten-free variety.
- flour: I made this with unbleached, all purpose flour. But you can substitute a gluten-free flour.
- eggs: You may be able to by with just one egg for this recipe, depending upon the size of the egg.
- simple pantry spices: garlic, paprika, sea salt, freshly ground black pepper
- blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing: optional, but a great combination with buffalo sauce
- celery sticks and/or carrot sticks: optional, but a classic pairing with buffalo wings. Great for cutting down the heat with the spicy sauce and easy to dip in the dressing on the side.
If you don’t have panko crumbs, you can try cornflake crumbs instead. Follow the instructions for my cornflake chicken tenders in the air fryer and either serve buffalo sauce on the size or carefully coat in buffalo sauce after they are fully cooked.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Start by preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees F (or approximately 204 degrees C). To make your chicken tenders with panko crumbs, start by adding your flour and seasonings to a gallon ziploc bag. This includes sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Pat the chicken tenders dry with a paper towel, then add to your gallon bag. Seal the bag and shake until well coated.
Next, beat eggs in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, add panko bread crumbs. By this time your air fryer should be preheated. Make sure to spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray that is safe for use in air fryers such as avocado oil. (I used an olive oil spray.)
Dip your flour-coated chicken tenderloins into the egg mixture. Be sure to coat both sides well and shake off the excess. Immediately dip into the panko crumbs and fully coat.
Place in your air fryer basket in an even layer, avoiding any overlap. This may require cooking in multiple batches, depending up on the size of your air fryer. I needed to cook mine in two batches.
Cook for 5 minutes. Gently turn tenders over and cook an additional 3 minutes.
Your tenders should be a nice golden brown.
Place chicken tenders in a bowl and pour buffalo sauce over the top. (Since I cooked mine in two batches, I only poured over half the sauce.)
Very gently swirl or turn over to fully coat so you don’t remove the delicious breading!
Place tenders back into the air fryer and cook an additional 2-3 minutes. The internal temperature should be at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
Please note: If you prefer saucy buffalo tenders instead of tenders you can pick up with your hands as shown, simply cook your chicken until 165 degrees Fahrenheit and don't return them back to the air fryer after you coat them in buffalo sauce.
Whether you serve it as an appetizer, snack, or even a main dish, everyone is guaranteed to enjoy these buffalo chicken tenders. They’re perfect for family game nights, barbecues, or any occasion that calls for delicious finger foods. The result is a super juicy, spicy chicken tender!
What to serve with Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Here are a few ideas to make your meal complete:
- Dipping Sauces: Classic choices include ranch dressing and blue cheese dressing. These creamy and tangy dips provide a cooling contrast to the spicy buffalo flavor. You can also try honey mustard or BBQ sauce for a different twist.
- Veggies: Serve some refreshing celery sticks and carrot sticks alongside your chicken tenders. These crunchy vegetables not only add texture but also help balance out the heat. They are perfect for dipping into your favorite dressing.
- Side Salads: A crisp salad, like a garden salad or Caesar salad, or even a refreshing coleslaw, bowtie pasta salad or broccoli salad can be excellent choices to accompany Buffalo Chicken Tenders. The creamy dressing in the salad helps to mellow the spiciness and provide a refreshing contrast.
- Fries: Whether you opt for crinkle fries, steak fries, jojos potato wedges or sweet potato fries, they are always a favorite side dish. Their crispy texture and saltiness make them a nice pairing for the bold flavors of Buffalo Chicken Tenders.
Remember to serve some refreshing beverages, like limeade, iced tea or frozen lemonade, to help cool down the heat of the Buffalo Chicken Tenders.
How to Make Chicken Tenders in the Oven
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). This high temperature will ensure that the chicken tenders come out crispy. Arrange the coated chicken tenders on a lined or greased baking sheet, making sure to leave space between them. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through to 165 degrees Fahrenheit and golden brown.
Exact baking time will vary based on size of tenders and your individual oven. Once the chicken tenders are cooked, remove them from the oven and gently coat in the buffalo sauce.
Buffalo Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer
Enjoy crispy perfection with these Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders, coated in crunchy panko crumbs. Perfect for dipping in your favorite ranch or blue cheese dressing, these spicy tenders are a game-day favorite. Quick and easy to make in the air fryer, they are sure to be a hit at any party or gathering.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins (approximately 8 small to medium tenders)
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Sauce (or your favorite buffalo sauce)
- blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing (or your other favorite dipping sauce) optional
- celery sticks/carrot sticks optional
Instructions
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Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F.
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Dry chicken tenderloins with paper towel, removing white tendon if necessary.*
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In a gallon size ziploc bag, combine flour paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Add chicken tenders and shake to fully coat.
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In a shallow bowl, beat eggs. Set aside.
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In a second shallow bowl add panko crumbs. Set aside.
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Spray an air fryer safe cooking spray (or lightly brush a little oil) over the bottom of the air fryer basket. (I used olive oil spray.)
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Dip both sides of floured chicken tender in egg to fully coat . Then dip inpanko crumbs and coat generously. Place in air fryer basket.
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Repeat with additional chicken tenders until your air fryer basket is full in a single layer without overlapping. (You may need to cook in batches. )
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Cook for 5 minutes, then flip. Cook another 3 minutes.**
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Place tenders in a large bowl. Gently coat in buffalo sauce.
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Place tenders back into the air fryer and cook another 2-3 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). Repeat if necessary.
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Serve immediately with blue cheese or ranch dressing and celery or carrot sticks, if desired.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
*To remove the tendon from a chicken tender, you can use a sharp knife to carefully cut along each side of the tendon and then pull it out. Removing the tendon helps make the chicken tender more tender and enjoyable to eat.
**Like a saucy buffalo tender? Skip last step of cooking in the air fryer with sauce on and instead cook for approximately 2 minutes longer (or until internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit) before coating in buffalo sauce.
If preparing in batches, dip and coat your chicken right before placing them in the air fryer for best results.
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more. These numbers are for the chicken tenders only and do not include any dressing or veggie sides.
More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes
Want even more tasty air fryer recipes? I don’t blame you! Check out our whole collection of air fryer recipes to help you plan out your next meal. Here are just a few more of our favorites:
- Air Fried Red Potatoes: So crispy and so good!! You just need some simple pantry spices.
- Air Fryer Donuts from Grands Biscuits: You’d never guess they came from canned biscuits!
- Air Fry Thin Pork Chops: Get dinner on the table in less than 15 minutes with this simple recipe!
- Balsamic Brussel Sprouts (Air Fryer): You’ll love these Brussels sprouts with Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar!
- Air Fried Tortilla Chips: Our friend Trisha offers step-by-step instructions for making your own tortilla chips in the air fryer.
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