These Easy Pretzel Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with salty, savory flavor. Made in the air fryer, they deliver that deep-fried crunch without the grease, making them perfect for weeknight dinners or game-day snacking.
If you love crispy chicken tenders with serious crunch, these Easy Pretzel Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are about to be your new go-to.
Crushed pretzels bring bold, salty flavor while the air fryer keeps the chicken juicy inside and golden outside without a greasy mess.
They’re fast enough for busy weeknights, fun enough for game day, and picky-eater approved, especially when served with honey mustard, ranch, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Crispy, crunchy coating: Pretzels create an irresistible crunch that beats traditional breadcrumbs.
- Juicy inside: The air fryer locks in moisture, keeping chicken tender and flavorful.
- Quick and easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Kid-friendly: Picky eaters will love the familiar pretzel flavor and fun texture.
- Versatile dipping options: Pairs perfectly with honey mustard, ranch, or your favorite sauces.
Are you looking for more Air Fryer Chicken Strip Recipes? Here are some of my favorites, AIR FRYER EASY CHICKEN TENDERS, AIR FRYER CHICKEN NUGGETS (CHICK-FIL-A COPYCAT), and AIR FRYER RANCH CHICKEN BITES.
Ingredients Needed
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into strips: Tender, lean chicken strips perfect for crispy coating.
- Salted pretzels, crushed to almost fine: Crunchy, salty pretzels for a golden, crisp crust.
- Large egg: Binds coating ingredients, adds moisture and richness.
- All-purpose flour: Helps the coating adhere to the chicken strips.
- Mayonnaise, light or regular: Adds moisture and enhances the crispy coating flavor.
- Kosher salt: Enhances flavor without overpowering the chicken’s natural taste.
- Black pepper: Adds mild heat and depth to the flavor.
How To Make Easy Pretzel Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Step One: Preheat your air fryer temperature to 375 degrees F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
Step Two: Season the chicken tenders with Kosher salt and black pepper to taste. In a shallow dish, place the flour. In another shallow dish, mix the beaten eggs and Dijon mustard. Spread the crushed pretzels or pretzel pieces in the third shallow bowl.
Step Three: Dip each chicken tender into the flour mixture, ensuring it’s lightly coated. Next, dip it into the egg and mustard mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat the chicken with the pretzel mixture.
Step Four: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with olive oil to prevent sticking. Place the coated chicken strips in a single layer in the basket.
Step Five: Air fry the chicken at 375 degrees F (190°C) and set cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping the strips halfway through the cooking time. Remove when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
Step Six: Once the chicken strips are done, remove them from the air fryer basket. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve the Air Fryer Pretzel-Crusted Chicken Strips with your favorite dipping sauce.
Easy Pretzel Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe Tips
- Use lightly crushed pretzels for an even coating, too fine can get mushy, too large and it won’t stick.
- Make sure chicken strips are evenly sized so they cook uniformly.
- Spray the tenders lightly with cooking oil before air frying to get maximum crispiness.
- For extra flavor, add smoked paprika or garlic powder to the pretzel mixture.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed for even crisping.
Storing Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store cooked chicken tenders in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes to retain crispiness.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken tenders on a parchment-lined tray
Easy Pretzel Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe Faqs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts? Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well, but adjust cooking time slightly as they may cook faster or slower depending on thickness.
Can I bake these instead of using an air fryer? Absolutely. Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until the chicken reaches 165°F internally and the coating is golden brown.
Can I make these gluten-free? Yes! Use gluten-free pretzels and all-purpose gluten-free flour to keep the recipe safe for gluten-sensitive diets.
How do I keep the pretzel coating from falling off? Make sure to coat each chicken strip in flour first, then the egg mixture, and finally the pretzel crumbs. Lightly pressing the crumbs onto the chicken helps them stick better.
Can I prepare these ahead of time? Yes. You can bread the chicken and store in the fridge for up to 4 hours before air frying. Cooked tenders can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
What’s the best dipping sauce? Honey mustard, ranch, or a spicy sriracha mayo are all excellent choices that pair perfectly with the salty pretzel coating.
Can I make these spicy? Yes! Add cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, or chili powder to the pretzel crumbs for a little kick.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- AIR FRYER APPLE CRANBERRY CRISP
- AIR FRYER BLUEBERRY DUMP CAKE
- PREPARING A BUNDT CAKE IN THE AIR FRYER OR INSTANT POT
- AIR FRYER PEACH DUMP CAKE
- BETTY CROCKER MUG TREATS AIR FRYER
- HOW TO BAKE A CAKE IN THE NINJA FOODI
- AIR FRYER PUMPKIN CAKE POPS
- AIR FRYER COPYCAT PANERA CINNAMON CRUMB COFFEE CAKE
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Easy Pretzel Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Description
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless, chicken breast, Cut into strips (approximately 1 inch thick)
- 3 1/2 cups salted pretzels, crushed to almost fine
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, light or regular
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer temperature to 400 degrees F, for 3-5 minutes, using air fryer setting.
- Place 3 1/2 cups salted pretzels in a Ziplock bag and crush with a flat mallet or rolling pin. Pour into a shallow bowl. In a separate shallow bowl, combine 1 large egg, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and whisk until well combined.
- First, place 1 pound boneless, skinless, chicken breast into egg batter, coating well on all sides. Then coat with pretzels by pressing chicken strips into the mixture to help them stick. Continue with all chicken strips and place them on parchment paper or a plate.
- Grease air fryer rack with oil. Place strips into the basket in a single layer leaving room in between. Coat with a small amount of oil. Cook 3 minutes. Flip and coat with a small amount of oil and cook additional 2-3 minutes. Continue with the remaining strips.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray, or olive oil spray, or nonstick cooking spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
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