With this easy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders recipe, you can make the fried chicken of your dreams without the oil or the mess! This air fried chicken is supremely tender and juicy with a crispy, golden coating on the outside. Gluten-free, low carb, keto, paleo and Whole30-friendly.
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Updated February 2021
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
These healthy air fryer chicken tenders are the perfect way to satisfy those relentless fried chicken cravings. The recipe only takes a few minutes of prep time, then your air fryer does the work! The chicken cooks cook up with tons of flavor and a crunchy, crispy low-carb breading.
These savory tenders are so much tastier and better for you than KFC’s fried chicken. You don’t need any oil to cook them, and they use healthier ingredients than your average chicken tenders. This simple, kid-friendly recipe is a tough one to beat!
We love making chicken tenders in the air fryer since the air fryer makes it so easy and hands off.
Not a chicken tenders? My family loves making air fryer chicken so much, and we have plenty more air fryer chicken recipes and a couple favorites include our Air Fryer Chicken Breast, Air Fryer Drumsticks or Air Fryer Chicken Wings.
Is this Recipe Keto?
Not only is this chicken recipe keto compliant, but it’s also gluten-free, dairy-free and paleo. The “breading” on the chicken is a wheat-free mixture of almond flour, crushed pork rinds and spices, and the marinade is made with canned coconut milk. The result is a crave-worthy batch chicken of tenders that works with your dietary needs!
Recipe Ingredients
Instead of using buttermilk for the marinade like traditional Southern fried chicken, this recipe uses full-fat coconut milk to get the same effect! There are substitutions you can make in the breading to fit your tastes and dietary needs.
- Chicken Tenders: Or chicken breasts sliced lengthwise into 3 even pieces.
For the Marinade
- Canned Coconut Milk: Use full-fat coconut milk for the best marinade.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Or lemon juice.
- Frank’s Hot Sauce: Or your favorite hot sauce.
For the Breading
- Blanched Almond Flour: This is the base of the breading.
- Crushed Pork Rinds: Or crushed almond flour crackers like Simple Mills Fine Sea Salt or Hu’s Kitchen. You can use crushed cheese crisps if you’re not paleo.
- Smoked Paprika: You can use sweet paprika if you’re sensitive to spiciness.
- Garlic Powder: For flavor.
- Onion Powder: You’ll need half a teaspoon.
- Italian Seasoning: This blend of earthy spices like basil, thyme and rosemary gives your chicken so much amazing flavor!
- Cayenne Pepper: To add a kick of heat.
- Salt & Pepper: I use sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
How to Make Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer
Cooking chicken in the air fryer is the easiest thing ever. And it’s super quick, too. The hardest part about this recipe is waiting for the chicken to marinate!
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Make Marinade: Whisk together the coconut milk, vinegar and hot sauce in a wide, shallow bowl. Add the chicken pieces, coating each piece well and marinate in the fridge for 1 hour or up to 24 hours.
- Combine Seasonings: In another shallow, wide bowl, mix together the almond flour, pork rinds, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper together.
- Dunk Chicken into Breading: Use your tongs to grab one piece of chicken and place it into the almond flour “breading,” coating it well on all sides. Shake off excess and place the chicken pieces in the the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the top with olive oil spray or avocado spray.
- Fry Chicken: Close the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 400°F. Let cook for 9 minutes. Open the basket after 4 minutes, flip the chicken and lightly coat this side with olive oil spay or avocado spray. Continue cooking again for 4-5 minutes, or until golden and the chicken is 165°F.
How Long Do You Cook Chicken Tenders?
Chicken tenders cook in about 9 minutes at 400°F in the air fryer. But what if you’re using another cut of meat or another cooking method? I’ve got you covered! Here’s a list of times and temperatures to follow. Always remember to flip the chicken about halfway through the cooking process.
- Air Fryer Chicken Breasts: 9-12 minutes at 380°F.
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: 20-25 minutes at 390°F.
- Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders: 8-9 minutes at 400°F.
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings: 15-17 minutes at 400°F.
- Air Fryer Chicken Legs: 15-18 minutes at 400°F.
Tips for the Best Chicken Tenders
I’ve got the inside scoop on how to make the best chicken tenders with your air fryer! Keep these suggestions in mind:
- Marinate for At Least One Hour: Marinating your chicken not only soaks it with flavor, but it also ensures that the meat comes out nice and juicy. You’ll want to let your chicken marinate for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours before cooking it.
- Check Internal Temperature: Checking the internal temperature of your chicken with an instant read thermometer is the best way to know whether or not it’s done cooking. When it’s done, it will register at 165°F.
- Don’t Crowd the Air Fryer: You don’t want your chicken tenders to be piled on top of each other in the air fryer basket. It’s best to work in batches; they need a little wiggle room for the crust to get extra crispy!
- To Make Ahead: To make these chicken tenders in advance, you can cook the chicken 3 days ahead of time and store it in an airtight container or resealable bag in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just crisp up the tenders in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes on 370°F.
Serving Suggestions
These keto chicken tenders can be paired with anything from a flavorful dipping sauce to a classic side dish. They couldn’t be more versatile!
- Serve with Roasted Veggies: Serve your chicken tenders with Roasted Broccoli or Asparagus for a complete keto dinner.
- Pair with Zucchini Fries: These Crispy Zucchini Fries are such a treat, and they go so well with air fryer chicken tenders! They’re also keto and gluten-free.
- Serve with Salad: These tenders would taste great with any salad you like! For a simple classic, go for my Caesar Salad Recipe.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Once they have cooled completely, refrigerate leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container. Store them for up to 3 days and reheat them in a 370°F air fryer for 2-3 minutes, or until warmed through.
Can I Freeze Chicken Tenders?
Yes! These freezer-friendly chicken tenders are amazing for long-term meal prep.
First, place the cooled chicken tenders in a single layer on a cookie sheet and freeze them for 1 hour. Then, transfer the tenders to an airtight container or freezer bags and store them for up to 2 months. Thaw out frozen chicken tenders in the fridge before reheating.
More Air Fryer Recipes to Try
If you like cooking with your air fryer, be sure to check out my air fryer guide and try the following recipes. They’re so tasty and easy to make!
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Perfect Air Fryer Steak
- Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
- Air Fryer Broccoli
With this easy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders recipe, you can make the fried chicken of your dreams without the oil or the mess! This air fried chicken is supremely tender and juicy with a crispy, golden coating on the outside. Gluten-free, low carb, keto, paleo and Whole30-friendly.
- 1/2 cup full-fat canned coconut milk
- 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar OR lemon juice
- 1/2-1 teaspoon your favorite hot sauce , plus more as desired
- 1lb boneless skinless chicken tenders OR chicken breasts, cut into 3 even strips
- 2/3 cup superfine blanched almond flour
- 3 tablespoons crushed pork rinds
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder
- 2/3 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
Whisk together the coconut milk, vinegar and hot sauce in a shallow, wide bowl. Add the chicken pieces, coating each piece well and marinate in the fridge for 1 hour or up to 24 hours.
In another shallow, wide bowl, mix together the almond flour, pork rinds, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper together.
Use your tongs to grab one piece of chicken and place into the almond flour ‘breading’, coating well on all sides. Shake off excess and place chicken pieces in the the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the top with olive oil spray or avocado spray.
Shake off excess breading and place about 3-4 chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer tray making sure the pieces do not touch. You will have to cook in batches.
Cook for 4 minutes, then carefully flip. Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes.
Remove chicken. Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce.
Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a pan with parchment paper.
Shake off excess breading and place chicken on prepared pan in a single layer (work in batches if necessary) and spray with cooking spray or oil.
Bake 18-22 minutes or until cooked through.
Did you try this recipe?
Christa -
These were amazing! I just realized I left out the Italian seasoning (derp!) and used parmesan because I was out of pork rinds—can’t wait to try making these again exactly to your recipe. The photos look like there’s an egg wash, but I didn’t see that in the directions. Was that step missing? Or is the pic showing the marinade? (mine was a lighter pink color). Thanks so much!