We all wish that we could cook restaurant-like food at home. Every time we use a microwave to cook chicken tenders but we get soggy or uneven results. When I first came into contact with an air fryer, it simply amazed me. I tried Frozen Chicken Nuggets In Air Fryer. And believe me, from that day, whenever I need something crunchy, I use the air fryer.
Frozen Chicken Tenders In Air Fryer
Frozen foods have made our cooking hassle-free. Air Fryer is an expert in cooking frozen foods. Don’t need to thaw the product before cooking. As air fryer’s hot air will do this job for us. Use a little oil spray and leave the rest on the air fryer for extra crispness.You can buy Chicken Tenders from your nearest grocery store freezer. You will find multi-size chicken strips in the package. No matter which brand you choose, nearly all are the same, and the recipe given below will work perfectly.
What are Chicken Tenders?
Chicken tenders are strips of chicken meat that are very soft and easy to eat. They are boneless, so they're nice and tender. They're usually taken from the chicken's breast. People of all ages, especially kids, really like chicken tenders because they're so delicious and juicy. You can deep fry them or use your traditional oven, but here we will use Air Fryer to make tenders that are crispy from the outside and juicy from the inside.Ingredients
- 1 Package Of Frozen Chicken Tenders
- Cooking spray (Optional)
Equipment
- Air Fryer
How To Make Frozen Chicken Tenders In Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer for almost 3-4 minutes at 400°F/200°C.
- Place the chicken strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Leave a little room for hot air.
- Optional Step: You can lightly spray chicken strips for extra crispness. Cooking spray use will also protect them from sticking.
- Set the timer for 10 minutes. No need to flip them as they will be super crispy and tender with hot air in the air fryer.
- The cooking time may vary with the thickness of the chicken strips and the air fryer you use. You can cook for 1-2 minutes extra for your desired crispness but remember, don’t overcook them. Overcooking can make them dry and hard.
- After 10 minutes of cooking, leave chicken tenders in the air fryer basket for 4-5 minutes.
- This step will help them tender from the inside.
Pro Tips
- Always preheat your air fryer for perfect crispy results.
- Place the tenders in a single layer with little space between each.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to check the doneness.
- Check cook time carefully to avoid overcooking.
How Long To Cook Frozen Chicken Tenders In Air Fryer
- Frozen chicken tender bags come in various sizes. Start cooking a batch for the first time and figure out the best cooking time for your specific air fryer model and the brand of tenders you have. It's best to start with the shortest suggested time. After that, check the chicken strips and continue cooking for a few more minutes until the tenders reach your desired crispness.
- Another important thing is that the cooking time may also vary depending on the quantity of chicken tenders you are cooking. If you are cooking a large batch, you have to increase the cooking time to ensure that all the tenders are perfectly cooked.
- On the other hand, if you cook just a few tenders, you have to decrease the cooking time to prevent them from being overcooked and dry.
It's always a good idea to keep an eye on the tenders while they are cooking and adjust the cooking time as needed. With a little practice, you can cook perfect chicken tenders every time using your air fryer.
Serving Suggestions
Well, you can serve your air fryer frozen chicken tenders with ketchup or any other of your favorite dipping sauce. Some of my favorites are:- BBQ sauce.
- Honey Mustard Sauce.
- Buttermilk ranch.
- Hot sauce.
- Your favorite pickles.
- Cheese dip.
Recipe Variations
Here are some of my tested variations that you can try.Spicy Flavor Chicken Tenders - If you are a spice lover, you can sprinkle some seasonings, such as paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, or chili powder, on the frozen chicken tenders before air frying. Cook them at the same temperature and time as mentioned in the recipe. Enjoy your spicy chicken tenders.
Honey Mustard Flavor Chicken Tenders - Mix honey and mustard in a bowl. Brush the mixture onto the frozen chicken tenders before placing them in the air fryer. Now air fry them and enjoy Honey Mustard Flavor Chicken Tenders.
Having leftovers?
If you have any leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for up to 4 days using an airtight container. When needed, reheat them in air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 400f. When reheated, enjoy.Conclusion
Making crispy Frozen Chicken Tenders In Air Fryer is easy, and quick. The air fryer's hot air cooks the tenders without needing to thaw them first. It gives them a crispy outside and juicy inside. Just follow the easy steps mentioned in the recipe and enjoy perfectly cooked, crunchy restaurant-like chicken tenders. So grab your air fryer and give Frozen Chicken Tenders In Air Fryer a try... Happy Eating!
Love this recipe? Leave your feedback in the comments.
My Other Air Fryer Recipes To Try
FAQ’s
Do I Need To Thaw Chicken Tenders Before Air Frying Them?No, you don’t need to thaw them, as the air fryer is an expert in cooking frozen foods. Place the frozen tenders directly in the air fryer basket.
Can I Add Some Additional Seasoning To The Frozen Tenders?
Yes, you can add your favorite seasoning to the frozen tenders. Feel free to experiment yourself.
How To Cook Frozen Chicken Tenders In The Air Fryer?
Preheat your air fryer for almost 3-4 minutes at 400°F/200°C. Place the chicken strips in a single layer in the air fryer. Set the timer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, leave chicken tenders in the air fryer basket for extra 4-5 minutes. This step will help them tender from the inside. Remove them from the basket and serve them as you wish.
How Can I Check The Doneness Of Chicken Tenders?
You can use an instant-read thermometer to check the doneness. Make sure it reads 165°F.
Can I Make A Large Batch Of Chicken Tenders In The Air Fryer?
Yes, but cook them in batches. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Otherwise, you will get soggy or uneven results.
Frozen Chicken Tenders In Air Fryer
⏱️Cook Time
- Prep Time: 00 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
🥘Ingredients
- 1 Package Of Frozen Chicken Tenders
- Cooking spray (Optional)
📝Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer for almost 3-4 minutes at 400°F/200°C.
- Place the chicken strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Leave a little room for hot air.
- Optional Step: you can lightly spray chicken strips for extra crispness. Cooking spray use will also protect them from sticking.
- Set the timer for 10 minutes. No need to flip them as they will be super crispy and tender with hot air in the air fryer.
- The cooking time may vary with the thickness of the chicken strips and the air fryer you use. You can cook for 1-2 minutes extra for your desired crispness but remember, don’t overcook them. Overcooking can burn them.
- After 10 minutes of cooking, leave chicken tenders in the air fryer basket for 4-5 minutes.
- This step will help them tender from the inside.
- This will be around 14-15 minutes, and you will get perfectly cooked Air Fried Chicken Tenders.
- Remove them from the basket and serve them as you wish.
📝Recipe Notes
- Always preheat your air fryer for perfect crispy results.
- Place the tenders in a single layer with little space between each.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to check the doneness.
- Check cook time carefully to avoid overcooking.
🔍Nutrition
Calories: 1680kcalProtein: 12gCarbohydrates: 4gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 875mgSugar: 1gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 1mgIron: 1mgCholestrol: 62mg
These values are approximate and can differ based on the specific recipe and ingredients.
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