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Air Fryer Buttermilk Chicken Tenders – crispy perfection outside, juicy inside – lightly breaded and air fried to golden brown using almost no oil. 

overhead view white plate with Air Fryer Buttermilk Chicken Tenders and dipping sauce

Juicy, crispy Air Fryer Buttermilk Chicken Tenders make the ideal weeknight dinner or appetizer for your next party.

This post walks you through exactly how to get tender and juicy chicken with a crunchy coating every time.

Crispy breaded chicken is always a family favorite – even added to a salad! They’re a family favorite in my house. I’m betting they will be in yours too.

white plate with Air Fryer Buttermilk Chicken Tenders sprinkled with flaky salt

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS RECIPE:

  • Delicious crispy, juicy chicken tenders using almost no oil!
  • Crispy Chicken Tenders is one recipe the whole family can get behind.
  • This chicken recipe is an easy dinner or appetizer with your favorite dipping sauces.
  • Air frying is a healthy alternative to deep frying that doesn’t sacrifice flavor or crispiness.
  • The buttermilk marinade adds flavor and locks in juiciness to fried chicken.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN BUTTERMILK:

Whisk 1 cup of milk with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar OR 2 tablespoons of lemon juice in a bowl then let it stand 5 minutes or until it thickens. That’s it.

WHAT DO I NEED TO MAKE BUTTERMILK AIR FRYER CHICKEN TENDERS:

  • chicken tenders or chicken breasts cut into chicken tenderloins
  • buttermilk
  • sea salt (or kosher salt)
  • black pepper
  • paprika
  • garlic powder
  • all purpose flour
  • panko bread crumbs
  • beaten eggs
  • nonstick cooking spray

You’ll also need a large  baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER BUTTERMILK CHICKEN TENDERS:

For easy cleanup, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

If you’re using chicken breasts, slice them into about 1 1/2″ wide strips.

In a medium bowl blend buttermilk, salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder.

Add chicken pieces, turning to coat well. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes up to 3-4 hours.

Set up a dredging station:  add flour to the first shallow bowl, beaten eggs in the second and panko in the third bowl.

Remove the tenders from the marinade one at a time shaking any excess drip off.

Dredge chicken in flour, shaking off excess then dip in egg and last in panko.

Transfer the breaded tenders to the prepared baking sheet gently pressing the breading down on the top of each one.

Repeat until all the chicken is coated.

Preheat the air fryer to 400° then spray the tenders with cooking spray and lightly sprinkle with salt. Add the chicken pieces to the air fryer basket oiled side down in a single layer.

Spray the opposite side with cooking spray, then cook 10-12 minutes total or until they reach an internal temperature of 165° on a meat thermometer turning them over halfway through.

Note: if they don’t all fit without overcrowding, air fry in batches then when all chicken is cooked, return finished tenders to the air fryer and heat 1-2 minutes at 350°.

Serve right away alone, in a salad or with your favorite dipping sauce.

white plate with air fryer buttermilk chicken tenders garnished with flaky sea salt.

BEST DIPPING SAUCES WITH BUTTERMILK CHICKEN TENDERS:

  • honey mustard
  • buffalo sauce
  • ranch dressing
  • bbq sauce
  • hot honey

HOW TO SAFELY STORE AIR FRYER BUTTERMILK CHICKEN TENDERS:

Cool completely then store in an airtight container or large sealable bag in the fridge up to 3 days.

BEST SIDE DISHES WITH CHICKEN TENDERS:

Potato Salad – best, old fashioned Potato Salad with tender potatoes, hard boiled eggs and crispy bacon, blended with creamy mayonnaise.

Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad – cheese tortellini + all the antipasto favorites: salami, pepperoni, cheese, peppers, olives and onions dressed in a simple homemade vinaigrette.

French Fries – hand cut potatoes – crispy outside, fluffy potato inside – irresistible!

MORE READER FAVORITE AIR FRYER RECIPES!

Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

Air Fryer Sausage, Peppers and Onions

Best Air Fryer Salmon 

Enjoy!

pinterest pin showing Air Fryer Buttermilk Chicken Tenders

Tried this crispy air fryer chicken tenders recipe? Leave a comment, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and TAG ME on social media! @agoudalife or #agoudalife

overhead view white plate with Air Fryer Buttermilk Chicken Tenders and dipping sauce

Air Fryer Buttermilk Chicken Tenders

Marinated in seasoned buttermilk, breaded and air fried using almost no oil - crispy coating outside - juicy chicken inside.
3.72 from 45 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Marinate 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories

Equipment

  • Air fryer

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound chicken tenders or chicken breasts sliced into tenderloins
  • 1 cup buttermilk OR see body of post/how to make buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • cooking spray
  • parchment paper lined baking sheet

Instructions
 

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • If you’re using chicken breasts, slice them into about 1 1/2″ wide strips.
  • In a medium bowl blend buttermilk, salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder. Add chicken pieces, turning to coat well. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes up to 3-4 hours.
  • Set up a dredging station in 3 bowls:  flour in one, beaten eggs in the second bowl and panko in the third.
  • Remove tenders from the marinade one at a time shaking any excess. Working one piece at a time, dredge chicken in flour, shaking off excess then dip in egg and last in panko.
  • Transfer to the parchment paper lined baking sheet, gently pressing the breading down on the top of each one. Repeat until all the chicken is coated.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400° then spray the tenders with cooking spray and add a light sprinkle of salt.
  •  Add chicken pieces to the air fryer basket oiled side down in a single layer.
  • Spray the opposite side then cook 10-12 minutes total or until they reach an internal temperature of 165° turning them over halfway through.
  • If they don’t all fit without overcrowding, air fry in batches then when all chicken is cooked, return finished tenders to the air fryer and heat 1-2 minutes at 350°.
Keyword air fryer buttermilk chicken tenders, air fryer chicken tenders, air fryer chicken, air fryer recipe, chicken tenders, fried chicken
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
3.72 from 45 votes (41 ratings without comment)

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8 Comments

  1. Idk what I did wrong??? The batter stuck to my duo crisp basket and/or the flour did not brown. I am new to air frying. I’ll have to try again. I followed the recipe too!
    Thanks for your recipe though. The chicken was moist inside with buttermilk.

    1. Oh Rae I’m so sorry the chicken tenders didn’t turn out for you! 🙁 First off – there was a learning curve for ME with my air fryer so I hope you won’t give up on it. I LOVE it now and it’s one of my favorite kitchen appliances. Now onto what can be done differently next time: the chicken tenders should be completely coated with the flour mixture so it’s all breading – no wet batter – before you place them in the AF. Second, you’ll want to spritz the tenders with cooking spray (or an oil mister) before cooking in the AF. Any of the flour breading that’s not spritzed with oil will stay as flour and won’t brown/crisp. I hope this helps – please feel free to reach out if you have other questions or issues with the recipe. I appreciate you taking the time to comment. ~ Bernie

  4. Tastes better than it looks. Mine did not look like the photo but I am learning to use my new air fryer. Make sure the oil coats the flour, it will fry better. I served with Chic Fil A Sauce and it was yummy.