Name: Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 lb uncooked chicken tenders; 3½ tsp garlic powder (divided); 3 tsp smoked paprika (divided); 3½ tsp onion powder (divided); 1 tsp salt (divided); 1 tsp black pepper (divided); 2 cups cornflakes (crushed, divided as 1½ cups and ½ cup); 1½ cups all-purpose flour (divided as ½ cup and 1 cup); 2 large eggs; Cooking spray; 1 cup BBQ sauce (divided as ½ cup); ¼ cup honey (divided as 2 tablespoons)

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Introduction

These Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders are crispy, flavorful, and perfectly coated with a sweet and tangy sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, they make a fantastic snack or meal for any day of the week.

A crispy golden-orange battered piece of chicken is held by metal tongs above a white bowl filled with crunchy golden crumbs. The crumbs in the bowl have an uneven texture, showing small clusters and flakes. In the soft-focused background, there is a blurred white bowl with a yellowish sauce and another grey bowl with white powder. The whole scene is set on a white marbled surface with bright, natural light emphasizing the crunchy texture of the chicken coating. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1.5 lb uncooked chicken tenders
3½ tsp garlic powder (divided)
3 tsp smoked paprika (divided)
3½ tsp onion powder (divided)
1 tsp salt (divided)
1 tsp black pepper (divided)
2 cups cornflakes (crushed)
1½ cups all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
Cooking spray
1 cup BBQ sauce
¼ cup honey

Instructions

Step 1: Pat the chicken tenders dry with a paper towel, then season both sides with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
Step 2: Set up your breading station. In the first shallow bowl, combine ½ cup flour with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. In the second bowl, add 1½ cups crushed cornflakes and season with 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder. In a third bowl, whisk the 2 eggs until smooth.
Step 3: One at a time, dredge each chicken tender in the seasoned flour, dip into the eggs, then press into the crushed cornflakes until fully coated on all sides.
Step 4: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and spray the basket with cooking spray. Arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer without overcrowding; cook in batches if needed. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray.
Step 5: Air fry for 5–6 minutes, then flip the tenders, spray again lightly, and cook for another 7–10 minutes until golden and cooked through. Cooking time may vary based on tender size.
Step 6: While cooking, prepare the honey BBQ sauce. In a small bowl, mix ½ cup BBQ sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon onion powder.
Step 7: Toss the hot chicken tenders in the sauce until fully coated and glossy. Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For extra spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the flour and cornflakes seasoning mixes.
Use gluten-free flour and cornflakes to make this recipe gluten-free.
To keep tenders crispy, avoid stacking them once cooked; serve immediately or keep warm in a low oven.
Try swapping honey for maple syrup for a subtle flavor twist.

Storage

Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it may make the coating soggy.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of four crispy fried chicken strips arranged on a white plate with ridged edges. Each piece has a golden-brown, crunchy texture with a coating that looks thick and uneven, indicating a well-fried crust. The chicken strips are drizzled with a shiny, reddish-brown sauce, giving them a sticky, glazed appearance. Small green parsley leaves garnish each strip and are scattered lightly around the plate, adding a fresh pop of color. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, with another same plate filled with more chicken strips slightly blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken tenders for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken tenders for even cooking and a crispy coating. Cooking frozen tenders may result in uneven texture and longer cooking times.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You can bake the tenders in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) on a wire rack over a baking sheet for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through.