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Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 131 reviews

These Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders are perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, coated with a crunchy cornflake crust and glazed with a sweet and tangy honey BBQ sauce. This quick and easy recipe uses the air fryer for a healthier twist on a classic favorite, delivering juicy chicken tenders with vibrant smoky and savory seasoning.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 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)

Breading Station

  • 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

Honey BBQ Sauce

  • 1 cup BBQ sauce (divided as ½ cup)
  • ¼ cup honey (divided as 2 tablespoons)

Instructions

  1. Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken tenders dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Then season both sides of the tenders evenly with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper to infuse flavor into the meat.
  2. Prepare Breading Stations: Set up three shallow bowls. In the first, mix ½ cup all-purpose flour with 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. In the second bowl, combine 1½ cups crushed cornflakes with 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder. In the third bowl, whisk 2 large eggs until smooth to help the coating adhere.
  3. Bread the Chicken: One by one, dredge each chicken tender first in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then dip them into the beaten eggs, ensuring full coverage. Finally, press the tenders firmly into the seasoned crushed cornflakes so each piece is thoroughly coated for maximum crispiness.
  4. Air Fry the Tenders: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and spray the basket lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the coated chicken tenders in a single layer without overcrowding—cook in batches if necessary. Lightly spray the tops of the tenders with cooking oil. Air fry for 5–6 minutes, then carefully flip the tenders, spray again, and cook for an additional 7–10 minutes until the tenders are golden brown and cooked through. Adjust cooking time based on tender size.
  5. Make Honey BBQ Sauce: While the chicken cooks, mix together ½ cup BBQ sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon onion powder in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
  6. Coat and Serve: Once the chicken tenders are hot and crispy out of the air fryer, toss them gently in the prepared honey BBQ sauce until fully coated and glossy. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • For extra crispiness, ensure the chicken tenders are patted very dry before seasoning.
  • If you don’t have cornflakes, crushed panko breadcrumbs can be a substitute but will alter the texture slightly.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow even cooking and crisping.
  • Cooking times may vary based on the thickness of your chicken tenders and air fryer model.
  • You can adjust the amount of honey in the sauce to make it more or less sweet according to your preference.
  • Leftover tenders can be reheated in the air fryer for best texture retention.

Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, honey BBQ chicken, crispy chicken tenders, air fryer recipe, quick chicken tenders

Find it online: https://miarosetti.com/air-fryer-honey-bbq-chicken-tenders-recipe/