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An air fryer basket filled with buffalo chicken tenders, and a pair of tongs taking them out.

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders

This easy recipe for air fryer buffalo chicken tenders is like homemade bar food! Spicy, savory, and amazingly delicious.
4.60 from 5 votes
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Course: Air Fryer
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 tenders
Calories: 206kcal
Author: Dolly (Dash for Dinner)

Equipment

Ingredients

Chicken Tenders

  • 1 pound chicken tenders approximately 8
  • ¼ cup real mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Breading

  • 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
  • 4 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Cooking spray

Buffalo Sauce

  • ½ cup cayenne pepper sauce like Frank's Red Hot Sauce
  • ¼ cup salted butter
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • ¾ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  • Add the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder to a medium sized bowl. Stir well to combine.
  • Add in the chicken tenders, and toss them in the mayonnaise mixture to combine. Set aside while you prepare the remaining elements of the recipe. You can prepare the chicken up to 8 hours in advance, and cover the bowl and keep it in the fridge until needed.
  • Add the panko crumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to a medium sized bowl. Mix well to combine and set aside.
  • Prepare the sauce by adding the hot sauce, butter, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and cayenne pepper in a small saucepan, and set over medium-high heat. Stir to help the butter melt as the sauce begins to heat.
  • Bring the buffalo sauce to a low boil, then stir and reduce to a high simmer over medium-low heat. Allow to simmer for 4-5 minutes, or until thickened.
  • Meanwhile, begin breading your chicken tenders. Using a fork or a pair of tongs, drege the mayonnaise covered chicken tenders in the breadcrumb coating mixture. Use your hands to press the crumbs into the tenders, and make sure to coat both sides.
  • Place the coated chicken tenders on a wire rack with a sheet pan or piece of parchment resting below. Repeat with the remaining chicken tenders.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400F for at least 3 minutes, or according to the manufacturers instructions.
  • Spray the breaded chicken tenders with some cooking spray, and place 4-5 of the tenders in the basket of your preheated air fryer. Be careful not to overcrowd the tenders, as they will only crisp up if they are not crowded in the basket.
  • Cook for 6-9 minutes, or approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Flipping the tenders during the halfway point is essential to make sure you have crispy tenders.
  • Once the cook time is almost up, check the internal temperature of the tenders at the thickest points. A minimum temperature of 165F is required for them to be safe to eat.
  • Remove the chicken tenders to another wire rack or plate, and repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
  • Once all of the chicken tenders are cooked through, use a pair of tongs to coat each chicken piece into the thickened buffalo sauce. Place on a clean wire rack to allow the excess sauce to drain off, or place in the air fryer basket immediately.
  • Repeat with 3-4 more chicken tenders, and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes in the air fryer to "bake on" the sauce.
  • Repeat with the remaining tenders.
  • Serve immediately with your choice of ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Notes

Adapted From: Breaded Air Fryer Chicken Tenders - Simply Home Cooked
No breading: Omit the breading, as well as the mayonnaise coating. Simply coat the chicken tenders with 1 tablespoon of oil, add salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook in the air fryer for 6-8 minutes (approximately 3-4 minutes per side), then dredge in the buffalo sauce and return to the air fryer for 1-2 minutes. Work in batches to ensure even cooking.
Keto, low carb and gluten free option: Substitute the panko bread crumbs for ¾ cup almond flour + an additional ¼ cup parmesan cheese.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tender | Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 888mg | Potassium: 243mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 248IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg