These easy air fryer Buffalo chicken tenders are the perfect spicy, crispy addition to your game day spread!
My favorite Buffalo chicken tenders in the air fryer.
I’ve never met a chicken tender I didn’t like, but Buffalo chicken tenders are my favorite. Since I just bought a Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro, I decided to adapt my recipe for the air fryer! I’ve been obsessed with the Breville Smart Oven. But honestly, I’m more about the toaster than the air fryer! I was even able to make my Sweet Potato Confit recipe in it!
I needed to start putting more mileage on the air fryer. What better way to take it for a spin than with a classic chicken tender recipe? Since the Buffalo Bills were playing, air fryer Buffalo chicken tenders seemed like the perfect choice.
How to make air fryer Buffalo chicken tenders
What you need
- Chicken tenderloins: You can cut chicken breasts into thin strips if you don’t have chicken tenderloins.
- Breadcrumbs: I love Korean breadcrumbs, which I buy at H-Mart. They are very similar to Japanese-style panko. They’re light, airy, and crispy when pan-fried or air-fried. I recommend panko for this recipe instead of traditional breadcrumbs!
- Dredging: In addition to panko, you’ll dredge the chicken in flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder as well as an egg whisked with Frank’s RedHot! I use the original hot sauce, NOT the Buffalo sauce, which has butter flavor added to it.
- Sauce: The sauce is made with Frank’s RedHot, butter, and honey. I’ve made it with just Frank’s before; generally, that’s how I prefer it. I also make it as this recipe dictates, with butter and honey. While the butter and honey soften the sharpness of the hot sauce, it’s also a bit more decadent. Both are delicious, and I switch it up depending on my mood!
- For serving: I finish the chicken tenders with minced scallions because I like the herby crunch on top.
How to make it
- Step 1: Start by preparing your dredging station. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Set out three bowls. Add flour, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt to the first bowl. Add the eggs and hot sauce to the second bowl and whisk until smooth. Add the panko to the third bowl with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Dredge the chicken. Dip each tender in the flour, the egg mixture, and the panko. Arrange them on an even layer of a lightly greased baking rack.
- Step 3: Air fry the chicken at 400ºF for 5 to 7 minutes per side. I recommend spraying the tops of the tenders very lightly with avocado oil to ensure they get nice and brown on top.
- Step 4: Arrange the chicken tenders on a second baking rack as you continue air frying the remaining tenders. Once all the tenders are cooked, transfer them to a bowl of your prepared sauce. Use a rubber spatula to toss gently in the sauce.
Transfer the sauced chicken tenders to a platter and serve with minced scallions.
What temperature to air fry chicken tenders
I air fry chicken tenders at 425ºF. I’ve cooked them at 400ºF before, but 425ºF gets them beautifully browned and crispy.
How long to air fry chicken tenders
If you cook them at 400ºF, it will take about 8 minutes per side, or 16 minutes total.
How to reheat air-fried chicken tenders
If you guessed “air fry them!” you guessed correctly! Because the chicken tenders are saucy, I line the basket with parchment paper and cook them in the air fryer at 400ºF for 8 to 10 minutes. These chicken tenders are even better the next day since the sauce absorbs into the tender. Yum!
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1¼ pounds chicken tenderloins
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (plus more)
- ½ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons Frank’s RedHot Original Hot Sauce (or use your favorite cayenne-based hot sauce)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (use up to ½ cup butter depending on how rich you want the sauce to be)
- 1-2 tablespoons honey (optional)
- 2 cups panko
- 4 scallions (trimmed and minced)
- Avocado or olive oil spray
Instructions
Prepare the chicken:
- Pat the chicken tenderloins dry and season them with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
Set up your dredging station:
- Set out three shallow dishes. To the first dish, add flour, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and a pinch of salt. To the second dish, add 2 eggs plus 2 tablespoons of Frank’s RedHot and whisk until smooth. Add panko with a pinch of salt and pepper to the third dish.
Dredge the chicken:
- Dip a chicken tenderloin into the flour and shake off the excess. Next, dip it into the egg mixture and shake off the excess. Finish dredging the chicken by rolling it gently in the panko; gently press it into the tender to ensure it adheres. Transfer to a lightly greased baking rack. Continue until all tenders are dredged.
Heat the sauce:
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the remaining 1 cup of Frank’s RedHot and honey to taste. Whisk until smooth. Turn the heat to low and simmer as you air-fry the tenders.
Air fry the chicken tenders:
- Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil. Spray the tops of the chicken tenders lightly with oil. Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF.
- Place the tenders in the basket and air fry in batches for 5 to 7 minutes. Flip and air fry for 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Once the tenders reach 165ºF, transfer them to a second baking rack. The tenders will air fry for about 10 to 14 minutes total. Continue air frying until all the chicken is cooked.
Sauce the tenders:
- Once all the chicken tenders are air-fried, pour the warm sauce into a large bowl.
- Add the chicken tenders to the bowl in batches and toss gently to coat in the sauce.
To serve:
- Transfer the sauced tenders to a serving platter and sprinkle with minced scallions. Enjoy!
Nutrition
No air fryer? No problem!
You can make my original Buffalo chicken tenders recipe instead!
We made these for an easy weeknight meal and they were so good!! Such a crispy tender in no time at all. I made a hot honey ranch for dipping which was a great combo!
I’m so happy to hear this – and that hot honey ranch sounds deeeelish! Thank you!