Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Temperature
375°F
190°C
Time
12 min
6-8 tenders
Safe internal
165°F
74°C · piping hot
Prep
10 min
Cook
12 min
Total
22 min
Tenders are the go-to when you need something on the table fast. Because they're a similar size they cook evenly, and the coating crisps up without the soggy underside you get off a baking sheet.
Ingredients
Quantities for 6-8 tenders - the times on this page assume that much in the basket.
- 6-8 chicken tenders
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 tsp paprika, mixed into the breadcrumbs
- Salt and black pepper
- A light spray of oil
How to air fry chicken tenders
- Season the tenders with salt and pepper, dip each one in the beaten egg, then press it into the breadcrumbs mixed with the paprika. Spray lightly with oil so the coating crisps rather than dries out.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Add the fresh chicken tenders to the basket. Keep them in a single layer.
- Cook for about 12 minutes, flipping them over halfway through.
- Check it has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.
Pro tip
Spray lightly with oil to help the breading crisp.
How to tell when it's done
Done is 165°F (74°C) and golden all over, with the meat white the whole way through. They're thin, so check a minute early - overcooked tenders go dry quickly.
Safe internal temperature
Cook to 165°F (74°C) at the thickest point. An instant-read thermometer is the only reliable way to confirm it.
Converting from an oven recipe
If your recipe is written for a conventional oven, lower the temperature by about 25°F (15°C) and reduce the time by roughly 20% to land near 375°F for 12 minutes. Need a different starting point? Use the conversion calculator.
Cooking from frozen instead? See our air fryer frozen chicken tenders guide .
Air fryer chicken tenders: FAQ
How long do you cook chicken tenders in an air fryer?
About 12 minutes at 375°F (190°C), flipped once halfway - but with tenders the number that matters is the temperature, not the clock, because they are easy to overshoot. A tenderloin is the leanest strip on the bird and it is thin, so it reaches a safe 165°F (74°C) quickly and then dries out fast if you leave it in chasing a darker crust. Start checking at ten minutes, pull them the moment the thickest one reaches 165°F, and judge the coating by colour on its own. Frozen breaded tenders behave differently - they go straight in from the freezer and take about 15 minutes.
How long does it take to air fry chicken tenders?
Air fry chicken tenders at 375°F (190°C) for about 12 minutes, flipping them over halfway through. That's for 6-8 tenders in a single layer; adjust slightly for a fuller basket or a different model.
What temperature do you air fry chicken tenders at?
Set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). If you're converting an oven recipe, that's roughly 25°F (15°C) below the oven temperature, with the time cut by about 20%.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer for chicken tenders?
A 2-3 minute preheat gives the most accurate timing and the best browning, but it isn't essential - if you skip it, add a minute or two to the cook time.
What's the safe internal temperature for chicken tenders?
Cook chicken tenders to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), measured at the thickest point with an instant-read thermometer. Cooking time is a guide; internal temperature is what confirms it's safely done.