Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Air fryer chicken tenders are the perfect accompaniment to movie night, game night, or anytime you’re craving crunchy, chicken-y goodness.

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Chicken tenders on a board with a ketchup dip at the side.

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Chicken tenders for the win!

Of course, you can make chicken tenders from scratch but when you don’t want to miss a moment of the on-screen action, this frozen option is a great stand-by. It’s the ultimate fake-away treat that goes from freezer to plate in under 15 minutes.

They go great with air fryer french fries sweet potato wedges or sweet potato fries. Alternatively, serve with a fresh salad and your favorite sides like corn on the cob and coleslaw. And if you're looking for more air fryer chicken recipes, try these air fryer buffalo wings!

Why frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer work so well

The best chicken tenders are hot, crispy and delicious. And the air fryer delivers just that – without excess oil or greasiness of other cooking methods. The hot air swirls around, cooking them evenly, crisping the coating while keeping the inside juicy. Basically, it makes them taste like they came from your favorite takeaway, not your freezer.

• Crispy outside, juicy inside – the air fryer makes the coating crisp while keeping the inside succulent.
• No oil needed – preprepared chicken tenders are ready to cook so you don’t need to add any oil.
• Zero fuss – no thawing, no breading, no prep. Just toss them into the air fryer.
• Family (and couch) friendly – from a quick kids’ dinner to a sofa snack with dipping sauces, everyone’s happy.
• Easy to scale up or down – whether you’re cooking for one, or serving a crowd, just cook as many as you need. (If it’s a big crowd, you can easily cook the tenders in batches).
• A great introduction to air fryer cooking – if you’re testing out your air fryer for the first time, or perhaps showing a teen how to use it, this is a great option that’s easy and reliable for new air fryer users.

What you’ll need to make frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer

Hot and spicy chicken tenders in a packet.

Ingredients
• Frozen chicken tenders (any brand you love). I chose hot and spicy but you could go for Buffalo chicken tenders, smoky, or buttermilk.
• Dipping sauces (ketchup, BBQ, honey mustard, ranch – pick your favorites!)

Equipment
• Air fryer
• Tongs (to avoid burnt fingers when flipping)

How to air fry frozen chicken tenders

Preheat
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for about 3 minutes.
Add the chicken tenders
Place the frozen chicken tenders in the basket in a single layer (no overlapping, give them room to crisp).
Time to cook
Cook for 12-14 minutes at 350°F (180°C) flipping halfway. (Note: This is for large chicken tenders, smaller or thinner ones will take less time so keep an eye on them).
Enjoy!
Serve with your favorite sauces.

How long to cook frozen chicken tenders in an air fryer

The time it will take depends on the size and thickness of your chicken tenders. The ones I used were quite thick so I allowed 14 minutes at 350°F (180°C). Thinner tenders might need a little less. Always check that your tenders are fully cooked before serving. They should be golden, crisp, and steaming inside.

What to serve with chicken tenders

There are so many great side dishes to serve with chicken tenders. Here are some of my favorites:

Classic Comfort Sides

French fries or potato wedges – the classic choice
Mac and cheese – creamy, cheesy, and dreamy.
Mashed potatoes with gravy – pure comfort food.
Coleslaw – crunchy, tangy, and refreshing against the crisp tenders.

Lighter & Fresher Options

Garden salad – a quick bag of mixed greens with your favorite dressing.
Roasted veggies – carrots, broccoli, or zucchini for balance.
Corn on the cob – buttery and sweet, a summer classic.
Cucumber and tomato salad – light and zingy.

Dips & Extras (basically mini sidekicks)

Ranch, BBQ, honey mustard, buffalo, sweet chili, or sriracha mayo – dipping is half the fun.
Baked beans – sweet and smoky.
Potato salad – creamy or mustardy, both work beautifully.

Tips

Cooking for a crowd? Do them in batches—don’t overlap or you'll risk soggy tenders.
Try different sauces with your chicken tenders: buffalo for heat, ranch for cool, BBQ for smoky sweetness. Alternatively, go for a dip like garlic mayo, sriracha mayo, or sweet chili.

Do I need to defrost chicken tenders before air frying?

Nope! The beauty of this method is that they go straight from freezer to fryer.

Can I stack them?

It's best not to stack or overlap. They need space to crisp evenly.

What if I don’t preheat my air fryer?

You may find they take a little longer to cook. Also preheating helps them get crispy.