How to Cook Frozen Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer

Name: How to Cook Frozen Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 8 frozen gluten-free or regular chicken tenders

Learn how to cook frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer in just a few simple steps. Air frying chicken tenders results in chicken that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, just like your favorite restaurant. It’s quick to cook chicken tenders in the air fryer and you don’t have to heat up your whole kitchen to do it, making these a perfect lunch or dinner recipe, any day of the week.

serving board with cooked chicken tenders on it

It’s so simple to cook foods from frozen in the air fryer! Did you know it takes just 10 minutes to good Frozen Burgers in the Air Fryer? You can also easily make Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets in just minutes. Quick and easy meals everyone in the family loves?! Yes, please!

Table of Contents

What can I season my frozen chicken tenders with?

Frozen chicken tenders are already seasoned to some extent (they do taste pretty good, right?), but you can add more flavor to them by seasoning them with different spices and herbs. Here are some options you probably have in your pantry alread:

Garlic powder
Paprika
Italian seasoning
Chili powder
Cajun seasoning
Salt and pepper
Lemon pepper seasoning
Seasoning salt

What can I serve with chicken tenders?

Chicken tenders in the air fryer are a great lunch on their own, but if you want a side to serve with them, you can easily whip one up! Try:

French fries or sweet potato fries
Roasted vegetables, such as broccoli or carrots
Raw veggies or fruit
Garden salad
Mac and cheese
Baked beans
Potato salad
Potato chips
Chicken noodle soup

What dipping sauces are awesome with chicken tenders?

Stuck in a ketchup rut? Toss a few new dipping sauces on the table to take your chicken tender dinner to the next level. Here are some fresh dipping sauce options:

Ranch
Honey mustard
BBQ sauce
Ketchup
Hot sauce
Carolina BBQ sauce
Hot sauce
Mayo (the Canadians love it!)

Frozen Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer

8 frozen gluten-free or regular chicken tenders

bag of frozen Gluten-free Perdue breaded chicken breast tenders

How to Make

STEP ONE: Place the chicken tenders onto the baking tray. Add the number of chicken tenders you are cooking to the air fry tray.

STEP TWO: Preheat the air fryer and cook. Set the air fryer to 400°F. It only takes a couple of minutes to preheat. Place the rack into the air fryer and air fry for 4 minutes. Flip using tongs. Air fry for an additional 4 minutes.

STEP THREE: Serve. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

frozen chicken tenders on a mesh air fryer tray

Tips and Helpful Hints

Preheat your air fryer before adding the chicken tenders. This helps them cook evenly without burning the outside.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave some space so they get crispy and golden on all sides.
Make sure to flip the chicken tenders halfway through cooking to ensure that both sides get nice and crispy.

How to store leftover chicken tenders?

Leftover chicken tenders will stay fresh in the fridge for 3 days. Keep them in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap.

Can I freeze leftover frozen chicken tenders?

It’s possible to freeze leftover chicken tenders, but I don’t recommend it, since the meat has already been cooked, then frozen once before. Use your best judgement.

How to Reheat Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Place your tenders back inside and heat for 3-5 minutes or until fully hot through.

FAQs

How long do you cook frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer?

Chicken tenders need to cook in the air fryer for about 8 minutes at 400°F. Flip halfway for best results.

Can you cook frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer without thawing them first?

Yes! You don’t need to thaw your chicken tenders before cooking them. In fact, it’s not recommended. Just place them on your air fryer tray straight out of the freezer for best results.

How do you make chicken tenders crispy in the air fryer?

Chicken tenders cooked in the air fryer will naturally turn out crispy if they’re cooked as directed. For a little extra crunch, you can give them a light spray with cooking oil before cooking. You can also leave them in for an extra minute or two, but the chicken meat may end up drying out a bit.

Can you cook chicken tenders and fries in the air fryer at the same time?

Yes, but you may need to make some adjustments. You might have to add your fries a few minutes before your chicken tenders. Be careful not to overcrowd your air fryer. If you don’t have room to cook in a single layer, you might prefer to cook in batches instead.

cooked chicken tenders with sauces for dipping

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