Crispy, golden, and deliciously juicy—these Easy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are made without eggs or dairy, but you’d never know it! With simple pantry staples and no messy frying, this quick weeknight favorite comes together in minutes and tastes way better than anything from the freezer aisle.
Oriana’s Thoughts On The Recipe
These egg-free air fryer chicken tenders are one of those recipes I always keep in my back pocket. They’re a regular in our weekly dinner rotation because they’re just so reliable—quick to prep, easy to cook, and always a hit with the whole family (yes, even the picky eaters!). I can’t even count how many times these golden little tenders have saved me on busy weeknights.
What I Love About This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need, Substitutions & Notes
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).
- Chicken Tenders (Breast Tenderloins): These are small, tender strips of chicken that cook quickly and stay juicy. You can also cut regular chicken breasts into strips if needed.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Basic seasoning that brings out all the flavors.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle, savory punch. You can substitute with onion powder if preferred.
- All-Purpose Flour: Helps the coating stick to the chicken. It also adds a base layer for crispness.
- Water: Mixed with flour to make a simple egg-free batter that helps bind the breadcrumbs.
- Classic Breadcrumbs: Provide a nice, even coating and help everything stick.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: These are key for extra crunch! They’re light and airy and make the outside super crispy.
- Paprika: Adds a touch of color and a mild smoky flavor. Smoked paprika works great too!
Food Allergy Swaps
- This recipe is naturally egg, dairy, nut, peanut, soy, sesame, fish, and shellfish-free, making it suitable for most dietary needs, but always check labels for hidden allergens.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs/panko.
Potential Recipe Challenges & Pro Tips
- Getting the coating to stick without eggs: Without eggs, you might worry the breadcrumbs won’t stick. Pro Tip: The key is a simple flour and water mixture! It acts like a glue that holds everything together without the need for eggs.
- Tenders coming out dry: Chicken can dry out quickly in the air fryer if overcooked. Pro Tip: Keep an eye on them and don’t overcook! 10–12 minutes at 400º F is usually just right. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F and they’re done.
- Uneven browning or soggy coating: Sometimes breadcrumbs don’t crisp evenly. Pro Tip: Lightly spray the coated tenders with cooking oil before air frying. This helps them brown up beautifully and stay crispy.
Process Overview: Step-by-Step Photos
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).
Step 1 – Trim and Season the Chicken
Grab your chicken tenders and give them a quick trim if needed—just cut off any little bits you don’t want. Then season them with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. That’s it! Nothing fancy, just adding some flavor.
Step 2 – Prepare the Breading
Set up two bowls. In one, mix flour with water until it’s smooth like pancake batter—this will help everything stick. In the second bowl, mix together the classic breadcrumbs, panko, and paprika. Now you’ve got your coating station ready to go!
Step 3 – Dip and Coat
Take each chicken tender and dip it into the flour-water mixture, making sure it’s well-coated. Then press it into the breadcrumb mixture, covering it completely. Give it a gentle shake to remove any extra crumbs, and you’re ready to cook.
Step 4 – Cook
Place the tenders in a single layer in your air fryer basket (don’t crowd them). Spray them lightly with cooking spray to help them crisp up. Air fry at 400ºF for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re golden and cooked through. That’s it—time to eat!
Extra Recipe Tips For Success
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave space between the tenders for even cooking and crispiness.
- Flip the tenders halfway through cooking for the best texture.
- You can season the flour mixture and breadcrumbs with additional herbs like parsley or oregano for more flavor.
Variations & Additions
- Spicy Version: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the flour mixture.
- Kid-Friendly: Add a touch of grated Parmesan (if dairy isn’t a concern) to the breadcrumbs for a cheesy twist.
- Herb-Crusted: Mix dried Italian herbs into the breadcrumb mixture for a flavor boost.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these crispy chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauces—ketchup, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, spicy mayo, or even egg-free ranch. Pair with air-fried fries, a side salad, or steamed veggies for a balanced meal. They also make a great protein-packed lunch when tucked into wraps or sandwiches!
Storage and Freezing Instructions
To Store: Let leftovers cool completely and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to bring back that crispiness.
To Freeze: Freeze cooked tenders in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a zip-top bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat directly in the air fryer (no need to thaw) at 375ºF for 8–10 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Recipe Card
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Tender (No Eggs – No Dairy)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 – 1 ½ lb (500 – 600 g) chicken tenders – breast tenderloins (about 12 chicken tenders)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder, divided
- 1/2 cup (70 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
- 1/2 cup classic breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup panko
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Important
You can find step-by-step photos above in the post and/or right here on the recipe card. They’ll walk you through the process and make everything super clear! Just click the camera icon button below on the right to show or hide them. Turn them off before printing if you prefer a cleaner copy!
Instructions
- Trim the fat from the tenders, if necessary. Season chicken with 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the flour and water. Mix with a fork or a small whisk until smooth.
- In a second shallow bowl, mix breadcrumbs, panko, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon paprika. Mix until well combined.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400º F (200º C) for 5 minutes.
- Dip chicken tenders in the flour mixture, shake off excess, then into the breadcrumb mixture, making sure to evenly and thoroughly coat each piece, pressing with your hand, and shake off excess, and place on a large dish or cutting board.
- Place the chicken tenders in the basket in a single layer, making sure no pieces overlap—about 5 tenders at a time. Spray the tops of the chicken tenders with olive oil spray. Air fry for 6 minutes, then flip the chicken tenders over. Spray the tops of the chicken again with olive oil spray and air fry for another 6 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer basket and repeat with the second batch of tenders. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
- This recipe is naturally egg, dairy, nut, peanut, soy, sesame, fish, and shellfish-free, making it suitable for most dietary needs, but always check labels for hidden allergens.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs/panko.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave space between the tenders for even cooking and crispiness.
- Flip the tenders halfway through cooking for the best texture.
- You can season the flour mixture and breadcrumbs with additional herbs like parsley or oregano for more flavor.
- Spicy Version: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the flour mixture.
- Kid-Friendly: Add a touch of grated Parmesan (if dairy isn’t a concern) to the breadcrumbs for a cheesy twist.
- Herb-Crusted: Mix dried Italian herbs into the breadcrumb mixture for a flavor boost.
I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
