These Air Fryer Shake and Bake Chicken Tenders are coated in a delicious crunchy coating that encases juicy, flavorful chicken. Serve this healthy alternative with your favorite sides for an easy weeknight meal or entertaining option.
If you love chicken tenders and finger foods then this is the recipe for you. Not only is air fryer shake and bake chicken easy to make, but it’s also kid-friendly.
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Why I Love This Recipe
This delicious and nutritious Air Fryer Shake and Bake Chicken is a great option for both weeknight meals and special occasions. The juicy chicken pieces are encased in a crunchy coating that creates a wonderful texture, making it an ideal finger food for adults and kids alike.
- Easy to make and turns out perfectly crisp in the air fryer every time.
- You only need a few budget friendly ingredients to help you make this family-friendly recipe.
- Plus, the leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the air fryer for a quick and easy snack.
If you love air fryer chicken recipes you may also enjoy this Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken recipe.
Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients to help you make this family friendly recipe. All of these ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store or in your pantry already.
- chicken tenders – I like to use a fork and paper towel to remove the chicken tendon before air frying. But, this is an optional step that you can skin if you prefer.
- shake and bake – For this recipe you will need chicken shake and bake. Or you can make your own using my homemade air fryer shake and bake recipe.
- oil – I prefer to use olive oil in this simple recipe. But, you can use canola oil, avocado oil or even vegetable oil instead.
- green onion – Sliced green onions make for a delicious optional garnish for these chicken tenders.
Variations / Options / Add-Ins
If you want to add some extra flavor or spice to these air fryer shake and bake chicken tenders, here are a few options:
- hot sauce – For an extra kick of heat, try adding a tablespoon of your favorite hot sauce to the shake and bake mixture.
- spices – You can also add a teaspoon of garlic powder, onion powder or Italian seasoning to the shake and bake mix for added flavor.
- cheese – For cheesy chicken tenders, sprinkle some shredded cheese on top of the coated chicken before air frying.
How to Make Air Fryer Shake and Bake Chicken Tender
Making this shake and bake chicken recipe is so simple. Just follow the instructions below and you will have an easy weeknight dinner that your entire family will rave about.
Step 1: Remove the tendon from the chicken – optional
To remove the tendon from the chicken, place the tender on a cutting board, grip the tendon with a paper towel, place a knife edge or fork on the tendon forcefully against the cutting board and pull the tendon away from the chicken. Do this to all the tenders.
Step 2: Add the shake and bake to a Ziplock bag
Add your shake and bake to a gallon bag with 1 tablespoon of oil, this will moisten the crumbs and help them stick to the tenders, and prevent drying out the chicken while cooking.
Step 3: Coat the chicken
Place 2-3 tenders in the bag and seal the bag with some air. Roll the top of the bag and trap the air creating a ballooned space in the bag. Shake vigorously to fully coat each tender; roll the mix and tenders as you shake.
Step 4: Add the chicken to the air fryer basket
Remove breaded tenders and place them in the air fryer basket that’s been sprayed with oil. Repeat until all tenders are breaded and placed in the air fryer basket.
Step 5: Air fry the chicken
Spray the tenders with oil, and cook at 400°f for 15 minutes, flipping the tenders at 9 minutes. Remove tenders and let cool. Garnish and enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce for tenders.
Serving Suggestions
I love to serve this air fryer shake and bake chicken with slow cooker garlic smashed potatoes, and crack green beans for a delicious yet simply family meal.
Pro Tips
Here are a few of my favorite pro tips for perfect air fryer shake and bake chicken tenders every time:
- Lightly spray the tenders with oil before adding them to the air fryer. This will help create that golden brown crust you’re looking for in your chicken.
- Make sure to remove any excess breading from the tenders before adding them to the air fryer. This will help prevent burning or uneven cooking.
- Use a thermometer to check for doneness. The internal temperature of your chicken should be 165°f before consuming.
- Let the chicken cool for a few minutes after air frying to allow the juices to settle and prevent dryness.
Storage
Storage – Leftovers will remain fresh in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
Reheating – To heat, you can microwave the tenders for 1-2 minutes or reheat them in the air fryer at 350°f for 3 to 5 minutes until heated through to get them crispy again.
Freezing – To freeze, double wrap the chicken in an airtight container or bag and store in your freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
FAQs
Do you have questions about this air fryer shake and bake chicken tenders recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.
No, you don’t have to use a Ziplock bag. You can just mix the shake and bake with oil in a bowl if that is easier for you. However, using a bag helps keep the crumbs moist so they stick better to the chicken and you don’t end up with a dry coating.
Yes, it is best to remove any excess breading before adding the chicken to the air fryer. This will help prevent burning or uneven cooking of the tenders.
Shake and bake chicken tenders will take approximately 15 minutes to cook in the air fryer at 400°f.
More Air Fryer Recipes
If you like air fryer recipes, give these recipes a try:
Want to make this delicious recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin it so that you can come back to it later.
Air Fryer Shake and Bake Chicken
Equipment
- storage bag
- Air Fryer
- knife or fork and cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 pounds chicken tenders 6-9 ct
- 2.5 ounces shake and bake 2.5 oz or 1/3 cup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1-2 stems of green onion for garnish
Instructions
- To remove the tendon from the chicken, place the tender on a cutting board, grip the tendon with a paper towel, place a knife edge on the tendon forcefully against the cutting board and pull the tendon away from the chicken. Do this to all the tenders.
- Rinse the tenders with water, set them on paper towels, and pat them dry.
- Add your shake and bake to a gallon bag with 1 tablespoon of oil, this will moisten the crumbs and help them stick to the tenders, and prevent drying out the chicken while cooking.
- Place 2-3 tenders in the bag and seal the bag with some air. Roll the top of the bag and trap the air creating a ballooned space in the bag. Shake vigorously to fully coat each tender; roll the mix and tenders as you shake.
- Remove breaded tenders and place them in the air fryer basket that’s been sprayed with oil.
- Repeat until all tenders are breaded and placed in the air fryer basket.
- Spray the tenders with oil, and cook at 400°f for 15 minutes, flipping the tenders at 9 minutes.
- Remove tenders and let cool.
- Garnish and enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce for tenders.
Notes
- Lightly spray the tenders with oil before adding them to the air fryer. This will help create that golden brown crust you’re looking for in your chicken.
- Make sure to remove any excess breading from the tenders before adding them to the air fryer. This will help prevent burning or uneven cooking.
- Use a thermometer to check for doneness. The internal temperature of your chicken should be 165°f before consuming.
- Let the chicken cool for a few minutes after air frying to allow the juices to settle and prevent dryness.