Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders are a mouthwatering dish that is easy to make and so flavorful. These crispy and delicious tenders are a family favorite that will leave everyone wanting more.
These easy Buffalo Chicken Tenders are just want you need to spice up your weekly dinner routine! Unlike traditional deep-fried versions, these chicken strips are cooked to perfection using the magic of the air fryer, resulting in a crispy exterior and juicy, tender meat. Make these buffalo chicken tenders your go-to recipe for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
If you’re looking for more buffalo chicken recipes, try these Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls, Buffalo Chicken Empanadas and Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad.
Why We Love This Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Strips Recipe
If you love the tangy and spicy flavor of buffalo chicken, then making air fryer buffalo chicken tenders is a must-try recipe! Not only is it a healthier option than deep-fried versions, but it’s also incredibly easy to make.
- 30 Minute Meal: These buffalo chicken tenders come together in just less than half an hour, making them perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re short on time with this air fry recipe.
- Easy Ingredients: With simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, this recipe is a breeze to make. It’s a convenient option that doesn’t require a long shopping list or complicated prep.
- Makes Great Leftovers: These buffalo tenders are fantastic for leftovers. You can enjoy them in sandwiches, wraps, or even salads!
Ingredient Notes for Air Fryer Recipe for Buffalo Tenders
- Chicken Tenders: When working with tenders, be sure to check for any remaining tendons before cooking. These white, stringy pieces can be tough and chewy if left intact. To remove them, simply run your fingers along the length of each tender and gently pull out any visible tendons.
- Hot Sauce: The hot sauce provides the signature spicy kick to these buffalo chicken tenders. Feel free to use your favorite brand or adjust the amount to suit your heat preference.
See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
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Variations and Substitutions for Spicy Chicken Tenders
Whether you’re looking for an appetizer for your next game-day party or simply want to indulge in some delicious comfort food, this buffalo chicken recipe will not disappoint!
- Chicken Breast: If you prefer, make buffalo chicken by using skinless chicken breast, and be sure to adjust the cooking time to ensure that the chicken is fully cooked through. Chicken breasts are typically thicker and larger, so you’ll need to increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
- Chicken Thighs: For a richer and more succulent option, you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken wings in this recipe. The darker meat of chicken thighs offers extra flavor and tenderness.
- Size: The size of your air fryer can affect the cooking time of your chicken. Make sure they are in a single layer and cook to an internal temperature of 165 degrees f. Cook in batches if necessary.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner in the kitchen or a seasoned home cook, you’ll appreciate the simplicity and quick prep of these air fryer buffalo chicken tenders.
These are the basic steps for making air fryer buffalo tenders. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
Step 1: Remove Tendon From Chicken
Place chicken tenders on a cutting board. Grab the tendon with a paper towel, place a knife or fork on the tendon forcefully and pull the tendon away from the chicken to remove it. Do this to all pieces with tendons.
Step 2: Make Breading and Egg Wash
In a small dish, whisk together the egg and hot sauce to make the egg wash. In another dish, mix together flour, cornstarch, and seasonings to make the breading.
Step 3: Bread Tenders
Take each tender and dip it in the breading, then the egg wash, and then in the breading again ensuring to fully coat the tender with each dip.
Step 4: Air Fry Chicken
Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray and add in the breaded buffalo chicken. Spray the chicken with the cooking oil. Cook at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. Flip the tenders at 5 minutes.
Step 5: Add Chicken with Buffalo Sauce
After cooking for 10 minutes, brush each chicken piece with your buffalo sauce. Place back in the air fryer for 2 and a half minutes. Flipping the chicken, brush with more buffalo sauce and cook for another 2 and a half minutes until crispy on the outside. Serve with extra buffalo sauce for dipping.
Recipe FAQs to Make Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Fingers
Expert Tips for Making Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
From creative ingredient substitutions to time-saving shortcuts, these tips will help you make the most out of this recipe and take it to the next level. Whether you’re looking to explore different flavors or simply enhance the overall cooking process, these tips will inspire you to get creative and make these chicken tenders truly shine.
- Use Shrimp: If you’re a seafood lover, you can give this recipe a delicious twist by substituting chicken with shrimp. Simply coat peeled and deveined shrimp in the buffalo sauce mixture, then follow the same steps for air frying or baking.
- Seasoning Blend: Using a premade house blend seasoning mix is a time saving option that eliminates the need to measure and mix individual spices, making it a convenient choice for quick and easy seasoning. Use garlic powder or any seasoning your like to season the chicken.
- Homemade Buffalo Sauce: For those who enjoy a hands-on approach and prefer homemade sauces, consider making your own buffalo sauce. Homemade buffalo sauce allows you to tailor the flavors to your liking and adds a personal touch to the recipe.
- Serve: Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
- Healthier: Make them a healthier alternative by making healthy buffalo cauliflower in place of the chicken.
What to Serve with Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds Chicken tenders
- ½ cup Flour
- ½ cup Cornstarch
- ½ tablespoon All Purpose Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Parsley
- 2 Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Hot sauce
- ½ cup Buffalo sauce
Instructions
- To extract the tendon from the chicken, position the tender on a cutting board, use a paper towel to grasp the tendon, place a knife blade firmly on the tendon against the cutting board and pull it away from the chicken. Repeat this process for all tenders.
- To make your egg wash, whisk together the eggs and hot sauce in a shallow dish.
- To make the breading, mix together the flour, cornstarch, and spices into a seperate bowl.
- Coat each tender by first dipping it in the breading, then in the egg wash, and finally in the breading again. Ensure that the tenders are completely covered after each step.
- Arrange the tenders in the air fryer basket that has been sprayed with oil. It is acceptable to slightly fill the basket.
- Lightly spray the tenders with oil and bake at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes, turning them over halfway through.
- Apply buffalo sauce to each tender, cook for 2 1/2 minutes, turn over and apply buffalo sauce again, and continue cooking for another 2 1/2 minutes.
Expert Tips
- Use Shrimp: If you’re a seafood lover, you can give this recipe a delicious twist by substituting chicken with shrimp. Simply coat peeled and deveined shrimp in the buffalo sauce mixture, then follow the same steps for air frying or baking.
- Seasoning Blend: Using a premade house blend seasoning mix is a time saving option that eliminates the need to measure and mix individual spices, making it a convenient choice for quick and easy seasoning.
- Homemade Buffalo Sauce: For those who enjoy a hands-on approach and prefer homemade sauces, consider making your own buffalo sauce. Homemade buffalo sauce allows you to tailor the flavors to your liking and adds a personal touch to the recipe.
