Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders are a perfect easy snack or quick dinner that the entire family will enjoy.
All you need is your air fryer, some chicken tenders, your favorite dipping sauce and about 15 minutes. You’ll be enjoying golden brown, delicious chicken strips in no time.
To make frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer, place the desired amount of tenders into the air fryer basket. Cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-14 minutes. Flip or shake the basket halfway through. Add an extra 1-2 minutes if desired for a crispier crust. Remove from the air fryer and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how to make frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer.
WHY MAKE FROZEN TENDERS IN THE AIR FRYER
Air fryer chicken tenders are a great alternative to fast food. The air fryer cooks by circulating very hot air instead of deep-frying. Less oil makes air frying a healthier option.
The best part is that air fried chicken strips have a cook time of less than 15 minutes and require basically no prep time. Toss in some french fries or onion rings and you’ll have a quick weeknight dinner.
You may also like: What To Do If Your Air Fryer Won’t Turn On Or Stopped Working (10 Tricks To Try)
WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE PERFECT AIR FRYER CHICKEN TENDERS
- Frozen Chicken Strips
- Frozen chicken tenders can be found in the freezer aisle at most grocery stores.
- There are many different brands to choose from. Some of the most common brands are Tyson, Perdue, and Banquet.
- There are many different types of “chicken” tenders you can buy too. Veggie, vegan, organic and meat sustitute tenders can be a tasty and healthy alternative.
- Dipping Sauce
- Most people enjoy dipping sauces to go with their chicken tenders. Some popular choices include ketchup, BBQ sauce, ranch, sweet & sour, teriyaki, honey mustard and Chick-Fil-A sauce.
- Cooking Spray (optional)
- Some people like to use a spray oil in the air fryer to help prevent sticking. This is not required and is totally up to you if you’d like to use it.
- Air Fryer
- If you don’t already have one, check out the #1 best selling air fryer on Amazon.
HOW TO MAKE FROZEN CHICKEN TENDERS IN AIR FRYER
- Place the frozen tenders into the air fryer basket.
- Cook the frozen chicken strips at a cooking temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-14 minutes. Add an extra 1-2 minutes as needed to reach your desired crispiness. Flip tenders or shake the basket at about the 5-7 minute mark.
- Remove the tenders from the air fryer. Serve immediately with dipping sauce.
How To Cook Frozen RAW Chicken Tenders In The Air Fryer
Most frozen chicken tenders from the store are pre-cooked. However, some frozen chicken strips are raw on the inside. Just check the packaging if you’re not sure which type you have.
If you have raw chicken tenders make sure to give them enough time to cook thoroughly. Usually, an extra couple of minutes is enough.
Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a meat thermometer to ensure your tenders are cooked through.
TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST CHICKEN TENDERS IN AIR FRYER
Every air fryer cooks differently. For best results, always check your air fryer instructions and/or the directions on the chicken tender packaging.
Try starting with a small test batch of frozen chicken strips to find the ideal cooking time and temperature for your specific air fryer.
Air fryer chicken strips turn out best when cooked from frozen. Don’t allow them to thaw before cooking.
Aim for a single layer of frozen chicken fingers in the air fryer oven. It’s okay if they touch or overlap slightly. Just leave plenty of room for the hot air to circulate.
For crispy air fryer chicken tenders, make sure they have enough time to cook. Add an extra minute or two until you reach crunchy perfection.
To help ensure even cooking, you can flip the tenders or shake the basket once about halfway through the cook time.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. The great thing is that you can reheat them in the air fryer and they’ll still taste as good as the first time around.
If need a low-carb, gluten-free, keto-friendly options, check out this recipe for air fryer chicken with no breading.
BEST SAUCES TO SERVE WITH AIR FRYER FROZEN CHICKEN STRIPS
There are plenty of sauces to enjoy with chicken fingers. Here are a few favorites:
- Ketchup
- Ranch Dressing
- Honey Mustard
- Dijon Mustard
- BBQ
- Teriyaki
- Thousand Island
- Ketchup Mixed With Mayo
- Chick-Fil-A Sauce
- Garlic Aioli
- Sweet & Sour
- Browse this list of Wingstop sauces, rubs and flavors for more inspiration.
FAQS ABOUT AIR FRYING FROZEN CHICKEN TENDERS
Q. How long do I cook frozen chicken tenders in an air fryer?
A. Air fry frozen tenders at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-14 minutes. Add 1-2 extra minutes until you reach your desired crispiness.
Q. How long do you air fry Tyson crispy chicken strips?
A. To make Tyson air fried chicken tenders, set your fryer to 300°F. You do not need to pre-heat. Heat the chicken strips for a total of 12 – 14 minutes.
Q. What is a good air fryer to buy online?
A. A good place to start is to look on Amazon. There are dozens of choices and thousands of customer reviews. The Cosori Air Fryer is a #1 best seller on Amazon. Also check out our review of the PowerXL Air Fryer.
Easy Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders are a perfect easy snack or quick dinner that the entire family will enjoy. All you need is your air fryer, some frozen chicken tenders, your favorite dipping sauce and about 15 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen chicken tenders, any brand
- Air fryer safe cooking spray, optional
- Dipping sauce
Instructions
- Place the frozen chicken tenders into the air fryer basket.
- Cook the frozen chicken strips at a cooking temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-14 minutes. Add an extra 1-2 minutes as needed to reach your desired crispiness. Flip tenders or shake the basket at about the 5-7 minute mark.
- Remove the tenders from the air fryer. Serve immediately with dipping sauce.
Notes
Some popular choices for dipping sauce include ketchup, BBQ sauce, ranch, sweet & sour, teriyaki, honey mustard and Chick-Fil-A sauce.
With the tips in this article, you’ll be on your way to making crispy and delicious air fryer frozen chicken fingers.
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Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders
Learn how to make frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer. In less than 15 minutes, you'll have crispy, golden brown and delicious chicken strips. Perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal or weekend snack.
Ingredients
- Frozen Chicken Strips
- Dipping Sauce
- Cooking Spray (optional)
Instructions
- Place the frozen chicken tenders into the air fryer basket.
- Cook the frozen chicken strips at a cooking temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-14 minutes. Add an extra 1-2 minutes as needed to reach your desired crispiness. Flip tenders or shake the basket at about the 5-7 minute mark.
- Remove the tenders from the air fryer. Serve immediately with dipping sauce.
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