Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, and it’s no wonder why. These nifty little machines use hot air circulation to cook food quickly and evenly, all while using a fraction of the oil of traditional deep-frying methods. One dish that is particularly well-suited to the air fryer is crispy tenders. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer, a main course, or even a snack, crispy tenders are sure to be a hit with everyone. In this article, we’ll walk you through a quick and easy recipe for making crispy tenders in an air fryer.
Gather Your Ingredients
Before you can begin making your crispy tenders, you’ll need to gather all of the necessary ingredients. Here is a list of what you’ll need:
Ingredients
– 1 pound of chicken tenders
– 1 cup of all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon of onion powder
– 1 teaspoon of paprika
– 1/2 teaspoon of salt
– 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
– 2 eggs
– 1 tablespoon of water
– Cooking spray
Prepare Your Chicken Tenders
Once you have your ingredients prepared, it’s time to get started on preparing your chicken tenders for air frying. Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While the air fryer is preheating, you can start preparing your chicken tenders.
Step 1: Season
Start by seasoning your chicken tenders with salt and pepper. This will help to enhance their flavor.
Step 2: Breading
In a shallow dish, mix together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. This will be the breading for your chicken tenders. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and water to create an egg wash.
Step 3: Dredge and Coat
Take each chicken tender and dip it into the flour mixture, making sure to coat it thoroughly. Then, dip the coated tender into the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, dip the tender back into the flour mixture, ensuring that it is fully coated.
Air Fry Your Tenders
Now that your chicken tenders are breaded and ready to go, it’s time to air fry them to crispy perfection. Here’s how:
Step 1: Preheat
Place your breaded tenders in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. Make sure to leave some space between each tender to ensure even cooking.
Step 2: Cook
Spray the tops of the tenders with cooking spray to help them achieve a crispy golden brown color. Then, place the basket into the air fryer and set the timer for 12-15 minutes. During this time, you’ll want to flip the tenders halfway through cooking to ensure that they cook evenly on all sides.
Step 3: Check for Doneness
Once the cooking time is up, remove one tender from the air fryer and check for doneness. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit, and the outside should be golden brown and crispy.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Once your tenders are cooked to perfection, remove them from the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly before serving. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, barbecue sauce, or honey mustard. These crispy tenders are delicious on their own, but they also make a great addition to salads, wraps, and sandwiches.
Tips and Tricks
Here are a few tips and tricks to ensure that your crispy tenders turn out perfectly every time:
Use Parchment Paper
To prevent sticking and aid in easy cleanup, line your air fryer basket with parchment paper before placing your tenders inside.
Don’t Overcrowd
Make sure to leave enough space between each tender to ensure even cooking. Overcrowding the basket can lead to unevenly cooked tenders.
Use Cooking Spray
Spraying the tops of your tenders with cooking spray will help them achieve that crispy golden brown color that we all love. It also adds some extra flavor.
Experiment with Seasonings
Feel free to experiment with different seasonings to customize your crispy tenders to your liking. For example, you could add some cayenne pepper for a spicy kick or some dried herbs for an herbed flavor.
Conclusion
Making crispy tenders in an air fryer is quick, easy, and requires minimal ingredients. By following this simple recipe, you can enjoy deliciously crispy tenders without the guilt of deep frying. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or enjoying a tasty snack, these crispy tenders are sure to become a favorite in your household. So, fire up your air fryer and give this recipe a try – you won’t be disappointed!