Homemade Chicken Fingers (Air Fry Range)

Last updated on December 8th, 2023 at 01:51 pm

Air Fried Chicken Tenders have the perfect blend of spices combined with a crispy breading and tender juicy chicken inside. Served with Homemade Air Fried French Fries will soon be a staple on the lunch or dinner menu.

Skip the restaurant lines and prices and make a healthier air-fried version of Chicken Tenders at home.

This was inspired by my other Frigidaire Air Fry Oven Recipes. Full-size air fry oven recipes like Air Fried Sticky Fingers, Nashville Hot Chicken, and Air Fried Coconut Shrimp, and pair well with Air Fried Red Potatoes and Air Fried Broccoli.

Healthy Air Fried Chicken Tenders

Traditionally made chicken tenders are deep-fried in oil giving them the crispy breading outside with juicy tender chicken inside. Using the full-size air fry oven you can have the same delicious results without all the oil and unhealthy ingredients.

Ingredients

• Chicken tenders
• Buttermilk
• All-purpose flour
• Sea salt
• Chili Powder
• Black pepper
• Granulated garlic
• Avocado Oil Spray

See the recipe card for quantities.

How To Make Air Fried Chicken Fingers

Air frying chicken tenders makes for a tender and juicy chicken inside a crispy "fried" breading but so much healthier than the traditional deep-fried in lard or oil version.

To start marinate the thawed chicken tenders in buttermilk for at least an hour covered in the refrigerator.

Next, combine the flour, sea salt, black pepper, chili powder & granulated garlic. Mix together with a fork.

Prepare a baking sheet with a wire rack. Lightly spray or brush the wire rack with EVOO and set up a dredging station. Preheat the Air Fry Oven to 375°

Working with one chicken tender at a time, remove one piece and place it in the flour mixture to coat it completely. Then place it back into the buttermilk mixture and then finally back into the flour mixture for a second time. Press the chicken into the flour to coat then place it gently on the prepared wire rack.

Continue working with each chicken tender until they have all been double-coated. Allow the chicken to air dry for about 10 minutes before lightly spraying with avocado oil or EVOO.

Don't saturate the coated chicken with oil or the breading will fall off. Be sure to allow for 10 minutes of air drying to ensure a good outcome.

Place the chicken in the oven on the middle rack. Air fry for 12 minutes then remove the tray from the oven and flip the tenders over. Spray with oil lightly on the second side and place it back in the oven for 5-6 more minutes to crisp up or until the internal temperature reaches 165°.

Tip: having a meat thermometer when learning to use the full-size air fry oven is very important to ensure you are fully cooking meat to the proper temperature.

Substitutions

• Gluten-Free - Substitute all purpose flour for almond flour or rice flour.
• Buttermilk Substitute - Substitute buttermilk for 1 cup of milk combined with 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar.

Variations

Spicy -For a spicy version check out the Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe.

Kid-friendly - Omit the black pepper and chili powder if your kids are sensitive to spicier foods.

Sticky Fingers-Make this 4 ingredient sweet and sticky sauce to coat crispy chicken tenders in for Copycat Air Fried Winger's Sticky Fingers.

Equipment

Full-Size Oven with Air Fry Feature (Frigidaire Air Fry Range)

Baking Sheet With Wire Rack

This recipe is specifically intended for full-size ovens with the air fry feature like the Frigidaire Air Fry Range I own. The cook times and temperatures for the range with air fry may vary from smaller countertop air fryers. Follow the recipes below for complete instructions. For small air fryers cooking time and temperatures may need to be adjusted. For the full review of the Frigidaire Air Fry Range go here.

Storage

Store leftover chicken in an air-tight container for up to three days, reheat on the air fry setting for a crispy breading.

Food safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.