Air Fryer Easy Italian Chicken Tenders — There’s something about chicken tenders that just makes everyone happy. And with an air fryer, they’re incredibly easy to make! This recipe for Air Fryer Easy Italian Chicken Tenders is simple, flavorful, and perfect for a quick dinner or appetizer. Plus, the air fryer cooks them perfectly without any added oil. So give them a try today!

Air Fryer Easy Italian Chicken Tenders
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Air Fryer Easy Italian Chicken Tenders are amazingly easy. Today, I made a batch of Italian-Style Chicken Tenders for my kids, and they loved them!

If you are looking for an easy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe with a crispy coating and a recipe that is a breeze to prepare, this is one of my favorites.

Juicy, tender, and delicious. Best yet, they are prepared with a minimum of ingredients but have loads of flavor, which your entire family will love.

This is one of my go-to air fryer chicken dishes, soaked in buttermilk, which provides a LOT of flavors.

If you are looking for even more easy air fryer chicken recipes, some of my favorites are BBQ AIR FRYER CHICKEN BREAST, AIR FRYER GENERAL TSO’S CHICKEN RECIPE, AIR FRYER HONEY BBQ CHICKEN WINGS, AIR FRYER CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI and AIR FRYER BUFFALO CHICKEN TENDERS.

Air Fryer Easy Italian Chicken Tenders

Like most Italian things, you will add some Italian seasoning, but you can really add any spices that you want.

Some of my personal favorites are to use seasoned Italian panko, which already has the spices in there. But if you have plain, add about a teaspoon of Italian seasoning.

Air Fryer Easy Italian Chicken Tenders

Ingredients You Will Need

  • Chicken Tenders (Tenderloins)
  • Buttermilk
  • All-Purpose Flour
  • Cornstarch
  • Egg
  • Water
  • Italian Style Breadcrumbs or Panko
  • Red Pepper Flakes, Optional

How To Make Air Fryer Easy Italian Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Easy Italian Chicken Tenders

Place chicken tenderloins in a large bowl and add buttermilk. Cover and place into the refrigerator to let them soak for at least 6 to 12 hours.

Air Fryer Breading Stations

When you’re ready to cook the chicken, get your breading station set up.  In one bowl, add the flour, cornstarch, egg, and water. Stir well. This is your wet batter. Set aside. In another medium bowl,  add panko crumbs (or breadcrumbs) and red pepper flakes.

Preheat air fryer to 395 degrees F, air fryer setting.

Italian Chicken TEnders Air Fryer

Coat each piece of chicken in the wet batter. Allow any extra to drip off into the wet batter bowl before transferring the chicken to the  bowl of Panko crumbs. Coat each piece completely in Panko.

After you’ve coated the chicken, place it in the air fryer basket. Set the time for 6 minutes. Flip and air fry for another 4-6 minutes.

Cook until the chicken is a nice golden brown on the outside and completely white on the inside. An internal thermometer should read 165 degrees when inserted into the middle of the chicken.

Air Fryer Easy Italian Chicken Tenders

How To Make These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Crispy or Crunchy:

My key point is that if you these crunchy or crisp, make sure that the coating is pressed into the chicken. This will keep the juices in the chicken.

If you need parchment paper to make sure that the chicken does not stick, use a pice. Depending on which air fryer you own, you may or may not need parchment paper.

I usually spray my basket generously with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

How To Make These Air Fryer Easy Italian Chicken Tenders Gluten Free

If you are looking for easy and foolproof Air Fryer Gluten-Free Chicken Tender recipes, you can easily adapt them. Use almond flour instead of all-purpose flour.

Then switch out the bread crumbs for gluten-free breadcrumbs.

What To Eat With Your Chicken Tenders?

I usually serve these with either a side of pasta or rice. But you can easily serve these over a large salad.

The options are endless; if you are making these for kids, you can also serve them with Air Fryer French Fries and Air Fryer Onion Rings.

Some Other Great & Easy Chicken Recipes For The Air Fryer-

Air Fryer Easy Italian Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Easy Italian Chicken Tenders

5 from 2 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Description

Air Fryer Easy Italian Chicken Tenders are amazingly easy. Today, I made a batch of Italian-Style Chicken Tenders for my kids, and they loved them!

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound chicken tenders , or tenderloins
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs , or panko
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

Instructions

  • Place chicken tenderloins in a large bowl and add buttermilk. Cover and place into the refrigerator to let them soak for at least 6 to 12 hours.
  • When you’re ready to cook the chicken, get your breading station set up. In one bowl, add the flour, cornstarch, egg, and water. Stir well. This is your wet batter. Set aside. In another medium bowl, add panko crumbs (or breadcrumbs) and red pepper flakes.
  • Preheat air fryer to 395 degrees F, air fryer setting. (200 celsius)
  • Coat each piece of chicken in the wet batter. Allow any extra to drip off into the wet batter bowl before transferring the chicken to the bowl of Panko crumbs. Coat each piece completely in Panko.
  • After you’ve coated the chicken, place it in the air fryer basket. Set the time for 6 minutes. Flip and air fry for another 4-6 minutes.
  • Cook until the chicken is a nice golden brown on the outside and completely white on the inside. An internal thermometer should read 165 degrees when inserted into the middle of the chicken.
  • Plate, serve, and enjoy!

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 369kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 32gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 603mgPotassium: 592mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 265IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 134mgIron: 3mg

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