Go Back
Air fryer chicken tenders with a golden seasoned breadcrumb coating on a plate

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with Seasoned Breadcrumb Coating

Air fryer chicken tenders with a seasoned breadcrumb coating deliver a crispy, flavorful crust with tender chicken inside. They are an easy choice for a quick homemade meal when you want a classic comfort food favorite.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings (2-3 tenders per person)
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 487
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 1.5 – 2 lbs. chicken tenderloins (about 12-16 pieces)
Flour Coating
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • one 1-ounce (28 g) packet ranch seasoning (optional, see notes)
Wet Coating
  • 1 egg
  • 1-2 teaspoons hot sauce (optional)
  • 3/4 cup milk + 1 1/2 teaspoons vinegar
Breadcrumb Coating
  • 2 1/2 cups plain breadcrumbs
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons seasoning mix
Cooking
  • avocado oil spray

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Mix the flour, salt, and ranch seasoning together in a bowl.
  2. Combine the milk and vinegar and allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes. Whisk it with the egg and hot sauce until blended.
  3. Combine the breadcrumbs with the seasoning mix in a separate bowl.
  4. Flatten each chicken tenderloin slightly by pressing it a few times with the flat side of a knife on a cutting board.
  5. Coat each chicken tenderloin in the flour mixture, shaking off extra flour. Dip into the milk mixture, allow excess to drip away, then cover completely with the breadcrumb mixture while gently pressing the crumbs into place.
Cooking
  1. Arrange the coated chicken tenderloins in the air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if needed.
  2. Spray the coated chicken evenly with avocado oil spray so the breadcrumb surface is lightly moistened.
  3. Air fry at 400°F (204°C) for 7-9 minutes, until the coating is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165-175°F (74-79°C).
  4. Serve the chicken tenders with your favorite sauce.

Notes

Oven Directions: These can also be prepared in the oven. Bake for 10 minutes and broil for a minute or two if extra browning is desired. Baking on a wire rack helps reduce sticking and improves airflow around the coating. If a rack is not used, spray only the top side of each tender to help prevent a soggy bottom. Seasonings: If skipping the seasoning mixes, add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a little freshly ground pepper to each of the flour and breadcrumb mixtures. Hot Sauce: This is optional and adds flavor and a small amount of zing without making the tenders spicy. Breadcrumbs: Different breadcrumb textures work well; a combination of finer and chunkier plain breadcrumbs can create a balanced coating texture.