Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders Recipe
For a delicious and flavorful twist on traditional chicken tenders, try this Crispy Baked Buffalo Chicken Tenders recipe! Made with tender chicken strips coated in a crispy breading and tossed in a tangy buffalo sauce, this easy recipe is perfect for game day or an easy dinner for the whole family to enjoy!
Why I Like This Recipe
They are low-carb and paleo, making them perfect for any diet!
There’s no breading, so they are light and stay really fresh for a few days. It’s great for meal prep!
For meal prep freshness, I make these on Sunday, and my husband takes a few to work with him to snack on throughout the week!
It’s easy to make and so quick in the air fryer!
It's much healthier than deep frying, and it uses no oil! The air fryer gets them crispy and juicy on the inside!
Why You Will Like This Recipe
It takes less than 30 minutes to make.
You can make a big batch to have throughout the week!
Great for beginners because it only takes a few simple ingredients & it’s easy to make!
It’s juicy on the inside!
They are gluten-free and nut-free!
Perfect on top of a simple salad for the week!
Tips!
Use your favorite buffalo sauce (mild, medium, or hot) just depending on your flavor preference!
The seasonings add a depth of flavor. But if you were really short on time, you could omit the extra seasonings.
The longer you marinate these, the better the flavor! If you have time, marinate these overnight. It will become super juicy!
Use a spatula to turn them after 6 minutes in the air fryer; the tongs may remove some of the marinade, and you want to keep all the flavor on them!
Serve air fryer chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce, like more spicy hot sauce, blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing!
What to Eat With These Buffalo Chicken Tenders?
Serve these buffalo chicken tenders over a fresh salad.
Enjoy them with some crunchy celery sticks for a refreshing and healthy snack.
Pair them with crisp carrot sticks.
These crispy buffalo chicken tenders are perfect for meal prep, allowing you to enjoy them throughout the week.
Flavor Customizations
If you want to make it less spicy, use a mild buffalo sauce. If you prefer really spicy chicken tenders, use a spicy buffalo sauce.
Crispy Baked Buffalo Chicken Tenders Ingredients
1 lb chicken tenders
1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Parsley for garnish (optional)
Air Fryer Directions
Into a large bowl, add buffalo sauce, mayonnaise, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper.
Mix it together until it is mostly smooth.
Add your chicken tenders into the bowl and mix to coat. Let this sit for anywhere from 10 minutes up to 24 hours. If you plan to marinate for more than 15 minutes, pop them into an airtight container in the fridge. Otherwise, keep them on the counter.
Preheat your air fryer at 375 degrees F for 4 minutes.
Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray, I prefer using avocado oil.
Place the marinated chicken tenders into a single layer in your air fryer basket. Make sure the tenders are not touching each other in the basket, this will allow for even cooking.
Air fry at 375 F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway. They are ready when the internal temperature, according to your meat thermometer, reaches at least 165 F.
Remove from the air fryer and let them cool before enjoying!
Finish with a sprinkle of parsley for garnish alongside your favorite buffalo chicken dip, like a blue cheese or ranch dip!
Oven Directions
Preheat your oven to 400F.
Into a large bowl, add buffalo sauce, mayonnaise, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper.
Mix it together until it is mostly smooth.
Add your chicken tenders into the bowl and mix to coat. Let this sit for anywhere from 10 minutes up to 24 hours. If you plan to marinate for more than 15 minutes, pop them into an airtight container in the fridge. Otherwise, keep them on the counter.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place the marinated chicken tenders into a single layer on your baking sheet. Make sure the tenders are not touching each other on the baking sheet, this will allow for even cooking.
Bake at 400F for 20 minutes, flipping them halfway. They are ready when the internal temperature reaches at least 165F.
Let them cool before enjoying it!
Finish with a sprinkle of parsley for garnish alongside your favorite dipping sauce!
More Chicken Recipes!
FAQ
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Sure! Just cut them into tenderloin strips (long and thin) to create your own chicken tenderloins! No need to change the temperature or cooking time.
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Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Pop them in the air fryer to heat up for about 3 minutes, and enjoy your crispy chicken tenders!
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Yes! If you don’t have an air fryer, just pop these into a preheated 400F oven for 20 minutes until it is cooked through. Just flip them halfway!
This buffalo chicken tenders air fryer recipe is the easiest way to enjoy crispy and flavorful chicken without the need for deep frying. Whether you choose to make them in the air fryer or in the oven, these tenders are a versatile and delicious option. They are perfect for a low-carb or paleo diet and can be enjoyed over a salad, with celery or carrots, or as a convenient meal prep option. With a simple and flavorful marinade, these air fryer buffalo chicken tenders will become your new favorite, easy weeknight meal.
Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Into a large bowl, add buffalo sauce, mayonnaise, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper.
- Mix it together until it is mostly smooth.
- Add your chicken tenders into the bowl and mix to coat. Let this sit for anywhere from 10 minutes up to 24 hours. If you plan to marinate for more than 15 minutes, pop them into an airtight container in the fridge. Otherwise, keep them on the counter.
- Preheat your air fryer at 375 F for 4 minutes.
- Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray, I prefer using avocado oil.
- Place the marinated chicken tenders into a single layer in your air fryer basket. Make sure the tenders are not touching each other in the basket, this will allow for even cooking.
- Air fry at 375 F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway. They are ready when the internal temperature reaches at least 165F.
- Remove from the air fryer and let them cool before enjoying!
- Finish with a sprinkle of parsley for garnish alongside your favorite dipping sauce!
When it comes to using an air fryer, one of the questions that pops up is what type of oil to use, and if cooking spray is a good option.