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I’ll show you how to cook your favorite frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer to crispy perfection and with no burnt pieces!
Can You Air Fry Frozen Chicken Tenders
Yes! The air fryer is super convenient for cooking frozen chicken breasts, but did you know you can also air fry frozen chicken tenders and air fry frozen chicken nuggets? This method is just as healthy as baking them and they’re deliciously crispy like fried chicken tenders, with no mess or excess oil used.
Since you don’t even have to thaw the tenders to cook them in the air fryer, it’s the perfect method when you’re in a hurry and need to pull something together quickly. Open the freezer, grab the bag, and cook! Then you enjoy them with your favorite sauce, assemble a chicken tender salad, or even a wrap for lunch.
How to Air Fry Frozen Chicken Strips
Cooking frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer couldn’t be any easier; you just have to follow these steps, and they’ll turn out amazing:
- Prep
To ensure even heating and crispy exteriors, preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes. - Almost ready to cook!
Place the frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer basket without stacking them or touching each other so the air can circulate and the tenders turn out crispy. I like to use air fryer liners to make clean-up a breeze! - Cook
Cooking time is usually between 10 to 15 minutes, but it varies depending on the breading and the size of your tenders. Be sure to double check your bag for the perfect time for your chicken trips. Flip the chicken tenders halfway through for even crispiness on both sides. - Enjoy
Serve chicken tenders with your favorite dips, and enjoy!
Want to have a visual of how I cook frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer? Check out this quick video:
How Long to Cook Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer
Frozen chicken tenders are crispy and warm after 10 to 15 minutes in the air fryer. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness and size of your chicken pieces, so check the package. Keep in mind that store-bought frozen chicken tenders are already precooked, so you only want to turn them crispy and warm.
Tips & Tricks
Now that you know how easy it is to make air fryer frozen chicken tenders, check out these pro tips and tricks:
Don’t thaw
You can air fry the chicken tenders straight from frozen. There’s no need to thaw them!
Cook in a single layer
Don’t stack the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket. Otherwise, the air won’t circulate well, and the breading won’t turn out as crispy as we want.
Spray or not?
Spraying the chicken tenders or the air fryer is up to you. There’s no need to do it, but if you lightly spray the tenders, they’ll be extra crispy!
Serving Air Fryer Chicken Strips
My favorite part: enjoying crispy chicken tenders! I love dipping these in Ranch dressing, homemade ketchup, or my copycat Cane’s sauce. My kids always ask for this homemade BBQ sauce that’s perfect for everyone to enjoy dipping.
Frozen Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer
Watch how it’s made:
Ingredients
- 8 frozen chicken tenders
Instructions
Prep:
- Preheat the air fryer at 390F (200C) for 5 minutes. Starting with a hot basket ensures even heating and crispier exteriors.
Cook:
- Place the frozen chicken tenders in a single layer in your air fryer basket.
- Air fry them at 390F for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how thick your chicken tenders are. Halfway through, grab some tongs and flip the chicken tenders over to ensure they turn out crispy on both sides.
- TIP: not all chicken tenders are equal, so check cooking time and temperature in the package.
Serve:
- Remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer using kitchen tongs and serve them warm with your favorite dips.
Lucy says
Perfect recipe
Jackie says
Great one!