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If you love buffalo chicken wings, you’ll want to try these homemade Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders! They’re crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated with buffalo sauce for just the right amount of heat. Serve them for an easy dinner or add them to your game day spread.
I used to pull out the deep fryer whenever we wanted crispy chicken tenders, but these days I reach for my air fryer instead. It’s easier to use and there’s a lot less cleanup afterward.
Since the Teens are big buffalo chicken fans, adding buffalo sauce was an easy choice! It wasn’t long before I started making a buffalo version of tenders on the regular. And they’re a great option when we’re craving wings but want something a little less messy to eat.
These chicken tenders were a hit with the whole family when I served them for game day alongside air fried mozzarella sticks, homemade chicken nuggets and air fryer meatballs. If you’re planning a game day gathering, they’re an easy addition to your menu!
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders Ingredients Needed
- Chicken tenderloins – Be sure to pat them dry before starting.
- Eggs – Helps to keep the breading on.
- Hot sauce – Use your favorite brand. If you’re worried about the sauce being too spicy you can omit.
- Flour – We used all-purpose flour in this recipe.
- Cornstarch – A secret ingredient to get the tenders crispy.
- Seasonings – Garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, black pepper add flavor to the breading.
- Buffalo sauce – Our favorite buffalo sauce is Frank’s Red Hot.
Get the complete ingredients & directions in the recipe card below.
How to Make Homemade Buffalo Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
If needed, remove the tendons from the chicken tenders by placing them on a cutting board. Then firmly grip the tendon with a paper towel. Place a sharp knife edge on the tendon and against the board, pulling the tendon away from the chicken.
Set up the breading station: Whisk the eggs and hot sauce together in a shallow bowl (these are the bowls I use). In a separate bowl, combine the spices, flour, and cornstarch.
Dip each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, then into the beaten eggs, and back into the flour.
Use on oil mister to spritz the basket with a little oil. Add the tenders to the basket in a single layer.
Lightly mist the chicken with oil and air fry for 10 minutes, turning at the halfway mark.
Brush the tenders with the buffalo sauce and cook for another 2 1/2 minutes. Flip the chicken, brush with sauce, and cook until done.
DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START?
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Tips for Making the Buffalo Chicken Tenders Air Fryer Recipe
- Pat the chicken dry. It removes excess moisture which helps the breading stick to the chicken and gives you a crispier coating.
- Coat the chicken evenly. Make sure each tender is evenly covered with the flour mixture so you don’t end up with bare spots.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. Leave a little space between the tenders so the hot air can circulate and crisp up the coating. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook these in batches.
- Check the temperature. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken is 165°F before serving.
- Keep batches warm. If you’re cooking in batches, place the cooked tenders on a baking sheet then keep them warm in a low heat oven while you finish the rest.
Recipe Substitutions & Variations
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast can be used in place of the tenderloins. Try to cut the pieces in similar-sized strips so they cook evenly. If the pieces are bigger, you may need to increase the cooking time.
- Use buttermilk instead of eggs, keeping in mind it will change how the breading sticks to the chicken.
- Adjust the heat: Use a milder or spicier buffalo sauce depending on your preference. You can also leave the hot sauce out of the egg mixture for a little less heat.
What to Serve With Homemade Buffalo Tenders
You can’t go wrong with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping, along with some crunchy carrots and celery sticks. If you’re serving these for dinner, add a side of homemade onion rings or potato chips to round out the meal.
And don’t forget about the leftovers! Buffalo chicken tenders are great for adding to salads, tucking into wraps, or making easy buffalo chicken tacos.
New to air frying? Get the low down on maximizing your usage of this amazing small appliance, including easy clean up tips, with our best air fryer tips for beginners.
How to Store Leftover Buffalo Chicken
Buffalo chicken strips are best when eaten fresh, when the breading is nice and crispy. But you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep in mind the coating will soften and they’ll lose some of their crispiness when they are refrigerated.
To reheat: Place the tenders in your air fryer at 350°F until heated through. This helps bring back some of that crispy coating. You can also reheat in the microwave, but the breading won’t be as crispy. If you like, brush the reheated tenders with a little extra buffalo sauce before serving.
Whether you’re making these buffalo chicken tenders for dinner or serving them on game day, they’re an easy recipe to keep in your back pocket. Just add your favorite dipping sauce and a few sides, and you’re all set!
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Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
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Homemade Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds chicken tenders (about 12 tenders), rinsed and patted dry
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup Buffalo sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- If needed, remove the tendons from the chicken pieces before proceeding. Place the tenders on a cutting board, gripping the tendon with a clean paper towel. Forcefully place a sharp knife edge on the tendon and against the cutting board, pulling the tendon away from the chicken. Repeat as needed until done.1.5 pounds chicken tenders (about 12 tenders)
- Create a dredging station:#1 – Make an egg wash by mixing the eggs with the hot sauce in a shallow dish.#2 – Mix the flour, cornstarch, and spices in a second shallow dish (this is the breading).2 eggs, 1 teaspoon hot sauce, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 Tablespoon dried parsley, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Place each tender first in the breading to lightly coat, then dip in the egg wash, and back in the breading for a second coating. Make sure the tenders are evenly coated after each step.
- Use an oil mister to lightly spritz your air fryer basket with oil. Place the tenders in the basket, making sure the pieces aren’t touching so the air can circulate.
- Spritz the tenders with oil and cook for 10 minutes, turning at the halfway mark.
- Brush each tender with Buffalo sauce and cook for 2 1/2 minutes. Turn the tenders, brush with sauce and finish cooking for 2 1/2 minutes until done. Chicken should reach 165°F on an instant read thermometer.1/2 cup Buffalo sauce
- Remove tenders to a plate and allow to rest for 3-4 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breast for the tenders, just cut them into similar-sized strips.
- The heat level will vary based on the sauces you use.
- Best served fresh but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Note that they will lose crispiness when refrigerated. Reheating in the air fryer may restore some of the crispiness.
Nutritional Estimate
Nutritional information is provided as a reference, using an online calculator. We recommend verifying the information independently for accuracy.
