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Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Experience crispy, low-carb, and gluten-free chicken tenders made effortlessly in your air fryer, perfect for both kids and adults.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 410

Ingredients
  

For the chicken tenders
  • 12 pieces chicken tenders – about 1.5 lbs
  • 2 large eggs for coating
  • 1 cup blanched almond flour for breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper divided
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil cooking spray for coating the air fryer basket
For the butter sauce
  • 2 tablespoons butter for the sauce
  • 1/4 cup hot sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Crack the eggs into a shallow bowl and season them with salt and pepper.
  2. In a separate shallow bowl, mix the almond flour with the garlic powder, parsley, paprika, plus some more salt and pepper.
  3. Dip each chicken tender into the egg, then coat it in the almond flour mixture. Set them aside on a clean plate. Repeat until all chicken is coated.
Cooking
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F and spray the basket with olive oil spray.
  2. Lay some chicken tenders in an even layer in the basket and spray them lightly with more olive oil. Cook for 7 minutes.
  3. Flip the tenders, spray the other side, and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes until crispy.
  4. Meanwhile, in a pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add hot sauce, honey, tomato paste, and season with salt and pepper. Whisk together and cook for 2-3 minutes on low heat. Set aside.
  5. Once all the chicken is cooked, transfer to a platter and drizzle with the sauce. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

These tenders are perfect over a bed of greens or with veggie sticks. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the air fryer for best texture.