These Air Fryer Copycat Buffalo Wild Wings Chicken Tenders are crispy, juicy, and coated in a tangy, spicy buffalo sauce. Ready in minutes, they’re the perfect game-day snack or weeknight treat that rivals the restaurant favorite.

Golden-brown air fryer chicken tenders coated in buffalo sauce, served on a plate with celery sticks and a side of dipping sauce.
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If you love the crispy, spicy kick of Buffalo Wild Wings chicken tenders but don’t want to leave home, this air fryer copycat recipe has you covered.

Juicy chicken strips get a perfectly crisp coating in the air fryer, then are tossed in that iconic tangy buffalo sauce everyone raves about.

Quick, easy, and packed with flavor, these tenders are perfect for game days, weeknight dinners, or whenever you’re craving that classic winghouse taste.

Golden, crispy chicken tenders coated in spicy buffalo sauce, served with celery sticks and a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

  • Crispy Without Frying: Get golden, crunchy tenders using the air fryer—no deep-frying needed.
  • Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for weeknights or last-minute snacks.
  • Restaurant Flavor at Home: Tangy, spicy buffalo sauce replicates the iconic winghouse taste.
  • Kid-Friendly and Crowd-Pleasing: Everyone from picky eaters to game-day fans will devour them.
  • Customizable Heat: Adjust the sauce from mild to extra spicy to suit any craving.

Buffalo Wild Wings Chicken Tenders Ingredients

Air Fryer Copycat Buffalo Wild Wings Chicken Tenders ingredients on kitchen table.
  • Chicken: You can use chicken breast, chicken tenderloins, chicken breast, chicken cutlets, or even chicken thighs (boneless)
  • Flour: Use all-purpose flour, gluten-free all-purpose flour, almond flour, coconut flour or even tapioca flour.
  • Buttermilk: Dredge for extra flavor.
  • Egg: The binder, you can use an egg replacement for an egg allergy.
  • Breadcrumbs: Use regular breadcrumbs, Italian breadcrumbs, or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
  • Seasonings and Spices: Cajun Seasoning (or Adobo Seasoning), Garlic Powder, Black Pepper, Onion Powder, Oregano, Paprika, and Cayenne Pepper.
  • Homemade Buffalo Sauce: Butter, Buffalo Sauce, Vinegar, or bottled Buffalo sauce.

How to Make Buffalo Wild Wings Chicken Tenders

Setting up the breading stations for coating the chicken.

Step One: Soak the chicken in buttermilk for about an hour.

Step Two: In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, adobo or Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, oregano, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Use a fork, and mix them together. Add the flour to a plate. In another bowl, add the egg and use a fork to whisk; on another plate, add the breadcrumbs.

Step Three: Dip the chicken into the flour mixture, the egg, and the breadcrumb mixture. As you coat the chicken, place them on a wire rack or a plate until you finish breading all of your chicken.

Chicken pieces arranged in an air fryer basket with space between them, ready to cook in batches for even crisping.

Step Four: Add the chicken to the air fryer basket, leaving space for the hot air to circulate around the chicken. Work in batches.

Step Five: Spray the chicken’s coating with cooking spray (this will help the coating crisp up), set the temperature to 380 degrees F, and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway during the cooking process. Remove when the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Step Six: In a large saucepan, add the butter over medium-high heat, melt the butter, then add in the Buffalo Sauce and vinegar, mix well, and remove from heat.

Step Seven: Add the chicken tenders (cooked) to the sauce, and toss. Until they are coated. Serve with blue cheese or ranch dressing.

Chicken pieces arranged in an air fryer basket with space between them, ready to cook in batches for even crisping.

Buffalo Wild Wings Chicken Tenders Recipe Tips

  • Even Sizing Matters: Cut chicken into similar-sized strips to ensure they cook evenly in the air fryer.
  • Pat Dry for Crispiness: Make sure the chicken is dry before coating—this helps the breading stick and stay crispy.
  • Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Cook in batches so hot air can circulate and the tenders crisp up properly.
  • Adjust Cooking Time as Needed: Air fryer models vary, so check the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Sauce Last: Toss the tenders in buffalo sauce after cooking to keep the coating crisp.
  • Optional Dredge: For extra crunch, double-coat with a light flour or breadcrumb layer before air frying.
  • Serve with Sides: Celery, carrot sticks, and your favorite dipping sauce make the perfect pairing.

Storing and Reheating Instructions

  • Refrigerator: Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep for up to 3–4 days and can be reheated in the air fryer or oven.
  • Freezer:Place cooled tenders in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the air fryer for best crispiness.
  • Reheating Tip: Reheat in the air fryer or oven rather than the microwave to maintain the crispy coating. Add a few extra minutes if needed to restore crunch and warmth.
Golden-brown air fryer chicken tenders coated in buffalo sauce, served with celery sticks and a small bowl of dipping sauce.

Copycat Buffalo Wild Wings Chicken Tenders Recipe Faqs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenders? Yes. Simply slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts into strips of even thickness so they cook evenly.

How do I make them extra crispy? Lightly spray the breaded chicken with cooking spray before air frying and avoid overcrowding the basket. Cooking in batches makes a big difference.

What temperature should the chicken reach? The internal temperature should hit 165°F for safe, fully cooked chicken. Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part.

Can I make these less spicy? Absolutely. Use a mild buffalo sauce or mix buffalo sauce with melted butter to tone down the heat.

Can I use frozen chicken tenders? You can, but thawing first helps the breading stick better and improves texture. Cooking from frozen may require extra time.

What dipping sauces pair best? Ranch and blue cheese are classic choices, but honey mustard or even a garlic aioli work great too.

Can I bake these instead of air frying? Yes. Bake at 400°F until crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F, flipping halfway through.

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Air Fryer Copycat Buffalo Wild Wings Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Copycat Buffalo Wild Wings Chicken Tenders

5 from 1 vote
Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Soaking: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
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Description

Crispy Air Fryer Copycat Buffalo Wild Wings Chicken Tenders tossed in bold buffalo sauce. An easy, flavorful recipe perfect for game day or busy weeknights.

Ingredients 

  • 8-10 chicken tenders

Flour Seasoning:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon adobo, or Cajun Seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon oregano
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

Buttermilk:

  • 1 cup buttermilk

Egg:

  • 1 large egg

Breadcrumbs:

  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs

Buffalo Sauce:

  • 1/2 stick butter, unsalted
  • 1/2 cup Buffalo Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar

Instructions

  • Soak the 8-10 chicken tenders in 1 cup buttermilk for about an hour.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add the 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon adobo or Cajun seasoning, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon oregano, 1 tablespoon paprika, and 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper. Use a fork, and mix them together. Add the flour to a plate. In another bowl, add the 1 large egg and use a fork to whisk; on another plate, add the 2 cups panko breadcrumbs.
  • Dip the chicken into the flour mixture, the egg, and the breadcrumb mixture. As you coat the chicken, place them on a wire rack or a plate until you finish breading all of your chicken
  • Add the chicken to the air fryer basket, leaving space for the hot air to circulate around the chicken. Work in batches.
  • Spray the chicken's coating with cooking spray (this will help the coating crisp up), set the temperature to 380 degrees F, and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway during the cooking process. Remove when the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
  • In a large saucepan, add the 1/2 stick butter over medium-high heat, melt the butter, then add in the 1/2 cup Buffalo Sauce and 1 tablespoon white vinegar, mix well, and remove from heat.
  • Add the chicken tenders (cooked) to the sauce, and toss. Until they are coated. Serve with blue cheese or ranch dressing.

Equipment

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 391kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 23gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 1279mgPotassium: 439mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 779IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 117mgIron: 3mg

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