Print

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 148 reviews

These Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders are a quick and flavorful appetizer or main dish, featuring crispy chicken tenders coated in a spicy buffalo sauce. Marinated in buttermilk and hot sauce, then double-coated in a seasoned gluten-free flour blend, these tenders are air fried to golden perfection in just 30 minutes. Perfect for a healthy twist on a classic comfort food, they deliver a crunchy exterior with a juicy interior and a spicy kick, all without the excess oil of traditional frying.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

  • 1 1/4 pound chicken tenders or boneless chicken breasts cut into strips
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce

Coating

  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups gluten-free flour blend (can substitute all-purpose flour)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Sauce

  • 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
  • Olive oil or avocado oil spray (for greasing air fryer basket)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and lightly grease the basket or trays with olive oil or avocado oil spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare Chicken: Pat chicken tenders dry with a paper towel to help the coating adhere better.
  3. Marinate: In a large bowl, mix the buttermilk and hot sauce. Add the chicken strips, turning to fully coat them. Allow the chicken to marinate for 15 minutes to tenderize and infuse flavor.
  4. Egg Wash: Beat the two eggs in a shallow bowl that can fit the chicken strips and set aside for coating.
  5. Mix Coating: In another shallow bowl, combine the gluten-free flour, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, paprika, and baking powder for the crispy coating mixture.
  6. Coat Chicken: Remove each chicken piece individually from the buttermilk, shaking off excess moisture. Dredge it in the flour mixture, then dip into the beaten eggs, and dredge once more in the flour blend for a double coating. Shake off any excess flour before placing it in the greased air fryer basket or tray.
  7. Repeat: Repeat the coating process with all remaining chicken tenders ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated.
  8. Air Fry: Cook the chicken tenders in the air fryer at 400°F for 5 minutes per side, flipping halfway through cooking, until they are golden brown and crispy. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
  9. Finish with Buffalo Sauce: Remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and immediately brush them generously with buffalo sauce. Serve hot for the best taste and texture.

Notes

  • For best results, use fresh chicken tenders or strips cut from boneless chicken breasts.
  • If buttermilk is unavailable, you can make a substitute by mixing 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar, letting it sit for 5 minutes.
  • Work in batches when air frying to ensure even cooking and crispy texture.
  • The coating mixture can be adjusted to include additional spices if desired, such as cayenne pepper or onion powder.
  • Serve immediately after brushing with buffalo sauce to maintain crispiness.

Keywords: Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders, spicy chicken tenders, gluten-free chicken recipe, buffalo sauce chicken, air fryer recipes, crispy chicken tenders

Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/air-fryer-buffalo-chicken-tenders-recipe/