Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders start with a spicy buffalo sauce, bake up to crispy perfection, and bring just the right amount of heat. Perfect as an appetizer or serve these tenders for a busy weeknight dinner.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE TENDERS
- Anyone out there prefer a chicken tender over a chicken wing? There are times when it’s just easier to skip the mess chicken wings bring. No messy bones, fingers, or face to deal with when eating these juicy chicken tenders.
- For a quick and easy dinner, serve these tenders with a garden salad.
- The tenders pair perfectly with this easy to make steakhouse blue cheese dressing.
- The tenders come out perfectly crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside.
- These tenders are a healthier alternative to fried boneless buffalo wings.
- There isn’t any egg mixture in this air fryer recipe.
WAYS TO SERVE BUFFALO CHICKEN TENDERS
- Layer chicken tenders on a hoagie bun, top with a slice of cheese and place it under the broiler to melt the cheese. Top with shredded lettuce and a drizzle of ranch dressing.
- Serve as a low carb appetizer at your next party with dipping sauce like this Easy Honey Mustard dressing.
- Serve with Sweet Creamy Coleslaw, corn bread or French fries.
- Create a healthy lunch by making buffalo chicken salad with the tenders.
SIMPLE INGREDIENTS
- Chicken Tenders – If you don’t have any chicken tenders on hand you can use boneless skinless chicken breast cut into thirds to make tenders.
- Panko Breadcrumbs – Panko is a Japanese-style breadcrumb that will create a crispy chicken tender.
- Dry Ranch Seasoning – Be sure to use the dry seasoning.
- Black Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Melted Butter – Let cool a bit before adding to wing sauce.
- Wing Sauce – Frank’s Hot Sauce is my favorite, but feel free to use your favorite spicy hot sauce.
- Honey
- Cayenne Pepper – Want more heat? Add 1/4 tsp of cayenne.
HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER BUFFALO CHICKEN TENDERS – STEP BY STEP DIRECTIONS AND PICTURES
STEP 1: Spray air fryer basket with nonstick spray and preheat oven to 400 degrees.
STEP 2: In a small bowl or measuring cup create a homemade buffalo sauce by adding 1/2 cup Frank’s Hot Sauce, 1 Tbsp honey, and 1/4 cup melted butter.
STEP 3: Pour mixture over raw chicken tenders. Be sure that all tenders are well coated in the sauce.
STEP 4: In shallow bowl, add 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs, 1 tsp pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder and 1 tbsp dry ranch seasoning. Mix until spices are incorporated.
STEP 5: Bread each piece of chicken and lay on a baking sheet or directly into the air fryer in a single layer. Work in batches.
STEP 6: Cook for 5 – 6 minutes on each side. Cooking time may vary depending upon the model of air fryer and size of the tenders.
STEP 7: Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
How to store and reheat leftover chicken tenders
Refrigerator: Let the chicken cool completely and place them in an airtight container. It will last in the fridge for 3-4 days.
To reheat in air fryer: Set air fryer to 400 degrees and place chicken in basket for 2-4 minutes until chicken is warmed through.
FACTS AND COMMON QUESTIONS
Cook at 400 degrees for 10 – 12 minutes per side or until the chicken has an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Many people think tenders are breasts cut into small pieces, but they are actually the cut of meat found underneath and attached to the chicken breast. Every chicken has two tenders.
Yes! Use gluten free breadcrumbs or corn flakes to bread the tenders.
MORE MEMORABLE AIR FRYER RECIPES
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb Chicken Tenders
- 1/2 cup Franks Hot Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Honey
- 1/4 cup Melted Butter Slightly cooled
- 2 cup Panko Bread Crumbs Seasoned
- 1 Tbsp Dry Ranch Seasoning Hidden Valley
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- STEP 1: Spray air fryer basket with nonstick spray and preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- STEP 2: In a small bowl or measuring cup create a homemade buffalo sauce by adding ½ cup Frank's Hot Sauce, 1 Tbsp honey, and ¼ cup melted butter.
- STEP 3: Pour mixture over raw chicken tenders. Be sure that all tenders are well coated in the sauce.
- STEP 4: In shallow bowl, add 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs, 1 tsp pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder and 1 tbsp dry ranch seasoning. Mix until spices are incorporated.
- STEP 5: Bread each piece of chicken and lay on a baking sheet or directly into the air fryer in a single layer. Work in batches.
- STEP 6: Cook for 5 – 6 minutes on each side. Cooking time may vary depending upon the model of air fryer.
- STEP 7: Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
I received an air fryer as a gift last year and I have used it some but it seems I am always needing more recipes. So I am so excited to find your Air Fryer Buffalo Tender Recipe. Sounds fabulous and the one thing I absolutely love about the air fryer is how easy cooking and cleanup is with it. Looking forward to trying this right away. Thanks so much.
I can’t get enough of my air fryer either. It’s so easy!!