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Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders Recipe

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3.9 from 87 reviews

These Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in a sweet and smoky honey BBQ sauce. Perfectly cooked in an air fryer for a healthier, easy, and crowd-pleasing dinner or snack without the need for deep frying.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

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
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour, divided (½ cup for flour mix, 1½ cups for cornflakes bowl seems like a typo, corrected to ½ cup flour in flour mix and 1½ cups cornflakes)
  • 2 large eggs
  • Cooking spray for air fryer basket and tops of tenders

Honey BBQ Sauce

  • 1 cup BBQ sauce (divided: ½ cup for sauce, ½ cup leftover for tossing)
  • ¼ cup honey (divided: 2 tablespoons for sauce, remainder for other uses)

Instructions

  1. Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken tenders dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Season both sides 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.
  2. Prepare the Breading Station: In the first shallow bowl, mix ½ cup all-purpose 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, place 2 cups crushed cornflakes and season with 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder. In the third bowl, whisk 2 large eggs until smooth to use as a binding wash.
  3. Bread the Chicken Tenders: One at a time, dredge each chicken tender first in the seasoned flour mixture, then dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the seasoned crushed cornflakes. Ensure each piece is completely covered to achieve a crispy texture after cooking.
  4. Preheat and Prepare Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  5. Air Fry the Chicken: Place the coated chicken tenders in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding by cooking in batches if necessary. Lightly spray the tops of the tenders with cooking spray. Air fry for 5–6 minutes, then carefully flip each tender, spray again with cooking oil, and cook for an additional 7–10 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C).
  6. Make the Honey BBQ Sauce: While the chicken cooks, combine ½ cup BBQ sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon onion powder in a small bowl. Mix well until fully blended.
  7. Coat and Serve: Once the chicken tenders are hot and cooked, immediately toss them in the homemade honey BBQ sauce until fully coated and glossy. Serve warm and enjoy this sweet and smoky crispy dish!

Notes

  • Ensure the chicken tenders are patted dry before seasoning to help the breading stick better.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow even crisping; cook in batches if necessary.
  • Use cooking spray liberally to achieve a golden crispy crust without deep frying.
  • Check the internal temperature of chicken tenders to ensure they’re fully cooked; they should reach 165°F (74°C).
  • The honey BBQ sauce can be adjusted for sweetness or smokiness by varying the honey or BBQ sauce ratios.
  • Leftover chicken tenders can be reheated in the air fryer for best crispness retention.
  • Author: Daisy
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American

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