Easy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe (Ultra-Crispy & Juicy)
Introduction
Time: 20 minutes (plus 5 minutes prep)
Serves: 2
Recipe Type: Appetiser
Ingredients
●200g mini chicken breast fillets
●30g plain flour
●2 large eggs
●80g golden breadcrumbs
●½ tsp paprika
●½ tsp garlic powder
●¼ tsp onion salt
●¼ tsp black pepper
●Rapeseed oil
Preparation
1.Combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion salt and black pepper in a bowl. Lightly beat the eggs in another bowl and add the breadcrumbs to a third bowl.
2.Pat the chicken breast fillets dry.
3.Coat each chicken breast in the flour and spice mixture, then dip into the egg mixture, then finally coat in the breadcrumbs.
4.Place the coated chicken breast fillets on the crisper tray and select the chicken option (20 mins at 200°c) and cook until finished.
5.Serve immediately.
How to Get the Crispiest Panko Coating in an Air Fryer?
If you want your chicken tenders to have that spectacular, light-as-air crunch, using Panko breadcrumbs is the first step, but how you bake them matters:
1. The Flour-Egg-Panko Sequence: Always dredge your seasoned chicken strips in flour first, shake off the excess, dip into beaten egg, and then press firmly into the Panko breadcrumbs. The flour creates a dry surface for the egg to cling to, which acts as the ultimate glue for the crumbs.
2. The Golden Oil Spray Mist: Before placing them into your COSORI air fryer basket, give the coated tenders a light mist of olive or vegetable oil spray. This small amount of oil is crucial—it helps toast the Panko into a beautiful, uniform golden-brown color without letting the hot air dry the breadcrumbs out into a dusty texture.
Can You Cook Frozen Pre-Breaded Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer?
Absolutely! Whether you are making these fresh from scratch or pulling a bag of frozen, pre-packaged chicken tenders (like Bird's Eye or supermarket brands) from the freezer, your air fryer is the quickest way to revive them.
Frozen Settings: Skip the defrosting entirely. Arrange the frozen chicken tenders in a single layer in your COSORI air fryer basket. Cook at 200°C for 12–15 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are sizzling hot, cooked through, and completely crispy to the touch!