These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are crispy, cheesy, and ready in under 20 minutes. They are simple and always a family favorite! Save This Recipe! Enter your email and I'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you'll get new recipes from me every week! By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Happy Healthy Mama.
Want a kid-friendly weeknight dinner that’s still good for you? Let’s make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders! Swapping in the air fryer means we get that irresistible crispy, golden coating without a drop of frying oil, and the parmesan-panko crust gets nice and crunchy. Add a quick mayo “glue” instead of the usual flour-egg-breadcrumb dredge, and you’ve got a five-ingredient dinner that comes together faster than you can set the table. You’re going to love how simple this one is!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Fast and fuss-free — no flour station, no raw eggs to dip through, just one bowl of coating and a brush of mayo.
- Crispy without deep frying — the air fryer gives you that crave-worthy crunch using a fraction of the oil.
- Kid-approved — even picky eaters go back for seconds.
- Great for meal prep — make a double batch and reheat in the air fryer for quick lunches all week.
- Simple pantry ingredients — nothing fancy required, just what you likely already have on hand.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Full ingredient amounts and instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
- Chicken tenders — Chicken is a great source of lean protein, and tenders cook up quick and tender without any pounding or slicing needed.
- Salt and pepper — Simple seasoning that lets the parmesan and Italian herbs shine through.
- Panko breadcrumbs — Panko gives you that light, extra-crispy texture you just can’t get from regular breadcrumbs.
- Grated parmesan cheese — Parmesan adds savory, salty depth to the coating and helps it crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.
- Italian seasoning blend — A simple way to add layers of herby flavor without measuring out five different spice jars.
- Mayonnaise — This is the secret trick! Instead of a flour-egg dredge, mayo acts as the “glue” that helps the breadcrumb coating stick. It also actually helps the tenders stay juicy as they cook.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Prep the chicken. Pat the chicken tenders dry with a paper towel, then season both sides with salt and pepper. Patting them dry first helps the coating stick better and get extra crispy.
- Mix the coating. In a shallow bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.
- Prep your air fryer basket. Spray your air fryer tray or basket with cooking oil so the tenders don’t stick.
- Coat the tenders. Brush each chicken tender with a thin layer of mayonnaise on both sides, then dip it into the breadcrumb-parmesan mixture, pressing gently so it’s evenly coated on both sides. Place it in the air fryer basket and repeat with the remaining tenders.
- Air fry. Cook at 400 degrees for 5 minutes, then flip the tenders and cook for another 5 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Enjoy immediately while they’re hot and crispy!
What to Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
These tenders go with so many things, so feel free to choose your favorite side! Here are a few of my favorite pairings:
- For a comfort-food dinner, serve them alongside roasted potatoes or these Crispy Smashed Potatoes — the crispy edges are basically made for each other.
- Dip the tenders (or the potatoes!) in this Healthy Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing for a lighter take on the classic pairing.
- For something with more veggies on the plate, this Healthy Broccoli Salad is a great make-ahead side. Or Luke’s Favorite Broccoli that takes approximately 8 minutes to make.
- Another make-ahead side dish that would be delicious with these is this Pesto Pasta Salad.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenders?
Yes! Slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts into strips about the same size as tenders. You may need to adjust the cook time slightly depending on thickness, but I recommend pounding them until they are thin for even cooking.
Do I need to flip the tenders halfway through?
Yes, flipping halfway ensures both sides get that golden, crispy coating.
Can I make these ahead of time?
These are best fresh and crispy, but leftovers reheat well in the air fryer at 350 degrees for a few minutes to re-crisp them (microwaving will make the coating soggy).
What can I use instead of mayonnaise?
If you’re not a mayo fan, plain Greek yogurt works as a substitute and adds a similar tangy binding effect.
Can I freeze the coated tenders before air frying?
Yes, coat the tenders, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Air fry from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cook time.
I hope your family loves these Air Fryer Chicken Tenders as much as mine does! If you try this recipe, or any of my other healthy recipes, please leave a star rating and comment below — it helps other readers know which recipes are tried and true! I’d love to see your creations, so share a photo on Instagram and tag me.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: serves 4
Description
These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are fast, easy, and use just a few pantry ingredients for a great weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken tenders
- salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning blend
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Pat the chicken tenders dry with a towel, then season them on both sides with salt and pepper.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.
- Spray your air fryer tray or basket with cooking oil.
- Brush each chicken tender with a layer of mayonnaise on both sides. Dip the tender in the breadcrumb/parm mixture until it is evenly coated on both sides. Place it on the airfryer tray or basket. Continue until you’ve done this with all of the tenders.*
- Air fry at 400 degrees for 5 minutes, and flip the tenders over and air fry another 5 minutes. Enjoy!
Notes
Note: Make sure the tenders are placed a single layer. If your air fryer is smaller, you may need to cook these in batches. My oven converts to an air fryer, so I use these air fryer trays for mine.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: air fryer recipes
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 1 gram
- Fat: 11.4 grams
- Saturated Fat: 3.3 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 12 grams
- Fiber: 1.1 grams
- Protein: 51 grams
