Cooking frozen chicken tenders in air fryer are one of my favorite healthier options to fast food! They’re the perfect quick dinner that takes less than 15 minutes to make.
Easy air fryer recipes are my favorite because they take less time to cook and clean up is so easy! They also use little or less oil than stovetop/oven-baked recipes which makes it a healthier option.
My kids love chicken fingers and I wanted an easier and quicker way to cook them. Not only do my kids love them, but my entire family enjoys them. My husband and I love using them on sandwiches.
Air frying is the best way to cook when you’re in a hurry and don’t want to clean dishes! So making our chicken nuggets or tenders or even dino nuggets air fryer just made sense.
Breakfast can also be made in the air fryer! Easy air fryer sausage patties have been my go-to recently. Pair them with air fryer hash browns for a complete morning meal.
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You can also cook quick snacks and appetizers in the air fryer like these air fryer frozen chicken wings. We even show you how to cook frozen egg rolls in air fryer , pot pie in air fryer and frozen potstickers in air fryer. Or you can pair these air fryer ravioli with your favorite dipping sauce for a quick, easy, and savory appetizer.
Gluten-free chicken tenders
Of course, I used gluten-free tenders here and always do since I can’t eat gluten but this recipe works for all types of chicken.
There are a few different gluten-free frozen chicken tender options you can chose from. Tyson Naturals are a great gluten-free chicken fingers option as well as Applegate chicken breasts.
If you’re using classic tenders, the cook time and air fryer basket temperature is the same. You can always double check if your chicken is done by using a meat thermometer.
What you need
This recipe is so simple, you seriously only need one ingredient…just chicken tenders! An easy meal if you’re in a hurry and running low on groceries.
Gluten-free chicken tenders
We prefer gluten-free frozen chicken tenders but you can also use classic chicken tenders or even cauliflower chicken tenders. Cauliflower crust chicken tenders are a great option with more veggies.
There are tons of options to choose from but you can use whatever brand of chicken tenders is your favorite! See above for gluten-free recommendations.
Do you have to preheat the air fryer?
No, this recipe is based off of a non-preheated air fryer. If you are making multiple batches, you may need to reduce the cooking time after the first batch since it will already be hot.
How long do you cook frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer?
Cook these frozen chicken strips for 13 minutes at 400 degrees. Make sure that you space your chicken strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If you have a large air fryer or a large batch of chicken the cook time may need to be extended.
Top Tip: You can put your chicken strips back in the hot air fryer for a couple more minutes if you find they’re not fully cooked.
How do you cook frozen air fried tenderloins?
If you are looking to make just air fryer tenderloins without bread cumbs… I recommend using raw chicken strips and cooking them for 12-14 minutes at 400 degrees.
Season the naked chicken tenders with spices of your choice and make sure they’re cooked fully with an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.
Chicken tenders without breadcrumbs are a great low-carb alternative to these breaded chicken strips.
Do you flip chicken tenders in air fryer?
If you have super thick chicken strips or raw chicken, I would recommend flipping them halfway through. For normal sized chicken tenders, there is no need to flip halfway through cooking.
What to serve with chicken fingers
The classic french fries and chicken finger combo will never be beat but if you’re looking for a healthier and complete meal, feel free to serve with instant pot carrots or even green bean casserole.
Serving these air fryer chicken tenders with mashed potatoes would also be the perfect quick weeknight dinner.
You can also dip these air fryer chicken strips in your favorite sauce. My family and I prefer my homemade dairy-free and Whole30 ranch but some people like ketchup or burger sauce!
How do you store leftovers?
You can store leftover chicken fingers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You should let your chicken tenders cool completely before storing. I recommend placing a paper towel in the bottom of your container to catch any excess moisture.
Another thing you can do with leftover chicken is chop it up and top it on salads. Crispy chicken topped on a simple salad is the perfect easy lunch idea. And, you don’t even need to reheat the chicken!
How do you reheat air fryer chicken tenders?
You can reheat these chicken tenders in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 3-5 minutes or until thoroughly hot. Reheating them in the air fryer will make them crispier than reheating in the microwave.
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Frozen Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 6 frozen breaded chicken tenders
Instructions
- Place 6-8 frozen breaded chicken tenders (depending on the size) into the air fryer basket in a single layer
- Cook at 400 degrees for 14 minutes or until cooked through and crispy, turn once throughout cooking if you'd like
- Remove and enjoy!
Amanda says
I LOVE this healthy alternative for chicken tenders! It helps curb my craving for fast food. Thank you for this delicious recipe!
Chandice says
So glad you liked it Amanda, definitely one of my faves too! 🙂