Air frying chicken tenders is a quick and easy way to make crispy, delicious chicken tenders right in your air fryer. With just a few simple steps, you can have homemade chicken tenders ready in under 30 minutes. But nailing down the right cooking temperature and time can take some trial and error. So what is the best temperature to air fry chicken tenders?
What Temperature Should You Use to Air Fry Chicken Tenders?
The ideal air fryer temperature for chicken tenders ranges from 360°F to 390°F. Setting your air fryer somewhere in this range will ensure the outside gets crispy while the inside cooks through.
Here are some more specific air fryer chicken tender cooking temperatures to try:
- 360°F – This lower temperature can work well if your chicken tenders are on the thicker side. The lower temp gives them more time to cook through without burning.
- 370°F – This is right in the sweet spot for getting crispy air fried chicken tenders in most air fryer models.
- 380°F – A good middle-of-the-road temperature if you want both crispy outsides and tender, juicy insides.
- 390°F – For fast cooking and maximum crispiness, you can crank your air fryer up to 390°F. Keep a close eye on thinner tenders at this high temp.
So anywhere from 360°F up to 390°F will produce delicious air fried chicken. Shoot for the lower end of that range if your tenders are thick or you want them extra juicy. Go for the higher temps for ultimate crispiness, but watch closely to avoid burning.
Factors That Affect Air Fryer Chicken Tender Cooking Temperature
While 360°F to 390°F is generally the ideal air fryer range for chicken tenders, a few factors can shift your perfect temperature up or down:
Thickness of the Chicken
Thicker chicken pieces take longer to cook through to the middle. Raising the temp to 380°F or 390°F can help speed that along. For thinner tenders, too high of heat may burn the outside before the inside cooks. Stick to 360°F to 380°F for thin tenders.
Amount of Chicken
The more chicken you add to your air fryer basket, the longer it will take to cook. Overcrowding causes the temperature to drop. Bumping it up by 10 or 20 degrees can help ensure chicken gets crispy when cooking a large batch. For smaller batches, lower temps are usually sufficient.
Preference for Crispiness
Some people love their air fried chicken with an extra crunchy crust. If that’s your preference, lean towards the higher end of the temperature range, around 380°F to 390°F. If you prefer a juicy interior over maximum crispiness, stick to 360°F to 375°F.
Moisture Content of the Chicken
Fresh, raw chicken tenders have a higher moisture content than pre-cooked frozen tenders. The extra moisture may require slightly higher heat of 375°F or more to evaporate for crisping. Frozen prepared tenders can be cooked at a lower temp like 360°F.
Air Fryer Wattage
Higher wattage air fryers heat up faster and reach higher maximum temperatures. In a higher wattage air fryer, you may be able to go up to 400°F or above. Lower wattage models may top out at 380°F, meaning you should keep your chicken temperature at 360°F to 375°F.
Altitude
Higher altitudes cause food to cook more slowly in the air fryer. Increase your air fryer temp by about 5°F if you live significantly above sea level. Lower temps are fine for sea level locations.
So taking these factors into account, adjust your air fryer temp up or down within the 360°F to 390°F range to get perfect, crispy chicken tenders every time.
How Long to Air Fry Chicken Tenders
While temperature is the most critical factor for air frying, cook time also plays an important role. Here is an approximate timeline for how long to cook chicken tenders in an air fryer:
Smaller Tenders
4-6 minutes at 370°F to 390°F
Medium Sized Tenders
8-10 minutes at 360°F to 380°F
Larger Tenders
10-14 minutes at 360°F to 370°F
Thinner, smaller tenders will be done faster at higher temps. Thicker, larger tenders take longer at lower temps. Check for doneness at the minimum cook time and continue cooking if needed until the insides are fully cooked through.
An instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part should reach 165°F. The outside should be crispy and golden brown when they are done.
Tips for the Best Air Fried Chicken Tenders
Follow these tips for foolproof, crispy, juicy air fried chicken tenders every time:
- Pat the raw chicken dry before air frying for maximum crispiness.
- Lightly coat tenders in an air fryer-friendly oil like avocado oil before breading.
- Use an air fryer basket or cooking rack so excess oil can drip away for crisper skins.
- Flip the chicken halfway during cooking to ensure even browning.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave space between pieces.
- Check for doneness early and extend cook time if needed for food safety.
- Let chicken rest 5 minutes after air frying before serving.
With the right temperature, cook time, and technique, you can make chicken tenders in the air fryer that are tender and juicy on the inside with an amazingly crispy, crunchy exterior.
Air Fryer Chicken Tender Recipes
Here are some delicious air fryer chicken tender recipes to try:
Simple Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 Tbsp oil
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste
1. Marinate tenders in buttermilk for 30 minutes.
2. Drain and toss in breadcrumb mixture.
3. Arrange in a single layer in air fryer basket.
4. Air fry at 370°F for 8-10 minutes until 165°F.
Air Fryer Honey Sriracha Chicken Tenders
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 Tbsp sriracha
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes
1. Whisk together honey, sriracha, soy sauce, garlic, and chili flakes.
2. Toss chicken in sauce mixture to coat.
3. Air fry at 380°F for 5-7 minutes until cooked through.
Air Fryer Ranch Chicken Tenders
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup parmesan
1. Coat tenders with ranch dressing.
2. Toss in breadcrumb and parmesan mixture.
3. Air fry at 375°F for 6-8 minutes until 165°F.
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 2 Tbsp melted butter
- 1/4 cup flour
1. Toss tenders in flour to lightly coat.
2. Mix hot sauce and melted butter.
3. Dip tenders in sauce to coat.
4. Air fry at 370°F for 7-9 minutes until done.
Air Fryer Chicken Bacon Ranch Tenders
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
1. Wrap each tender with a slice of bacon.
2. Coat in ranch dressing then cheese.
3. Air fry at 380°F for 10-12 minutes until bacon is crispy.
Serving and Dipping Sauce Ideas for Air Fried Chicken Tenders
Chicken tenders are even better with delicious dipping sauces! Here are some great air fryer chicken tender pairing ideas:
Dipping Sauces
- Ranch
- Blue cheese
- Honey mustard
- BBQ sauce
- Sweet chili sauce
- Marinara
- Buffalo
Seasonings
- Ranch seasoning
- Cajun seasoning
- Taco seasoning
- Lemon pepper
- Cinnamon sugar
Creative Pairings
- Honey + sriracha
- Maple syrup + hot sauce
- Melted chocolate + peanut butter
- Strawberry jam + balsamic glaze
Get creative with your sauces and seasonings to take your air fried chicken tenders to the next level!
Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Here are some tips for storing and reheating leftover air fried chicken tenders:
- Allow tenders to cool completely before storing.
- Store in a sealed container or resealable plastic bag.
- Refrigerate for 3-4 days.
- Frozen, they will keep for 2-3 months.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 330°F for 4-5 minutes.
- Can also reheat in the oven or microwave.
- Reheat sauce separately to avoid sogginess.
With proper storage, you can enjoy your crispy air fried chicken tenders again later in the week. The air fryer does a great job of reviving them almost like new.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I preheat my air fryer for chicken tenders?
Preheating is not necessary, but it can help your air fryer recover to the set temperature faster once chicken is added. This is especially helpful if cooking a large batch.
Can I air fry chicken tenders from frozen?
Yes, frozen raw tenders can absolutely be air fried! Add 1-2 minutes to the cook time and adjust temperature down about 25°F. Brush with oil before cooking.
How crispy will air fried chicken tenders get?
Air frying makes chicken tenders cripsier than oven baking, but not quite as crispy as deep frying. Adjust time and temp to your desired level of crispiness.
Should I flip chicken tenders during air frying?
Flipping halfway through is recommended for even cooking and browning on both sides. Tongs work great for flipping tenders.
Do I need to add oil when air frying chicken tenders?
A light brushing with oil before breading helps the coating stick better and aids in browning. You can also mist the tenders with oil before cooking.
Conclusion
Air fried chicken tenders are a quick and easy dinner made right in your air fryer. The ideal temperature for crispy, juicy tenders is 360°F to 390°F. Cook times vary based on size from 4-14 minutes. Brush tenders with oil before breading and flip halfway for the best results. Pair your piping hot tenders with flavorful dipping sauces. With the right temp and technique, you can enjoy restaurant-quality chicken tenders in the convenience of your home air fryer.