Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken tenders – boneless breaded chicken breast strips air fried to crisp and tossed in buffalo sauce. The ultimate, crowd-pleasing appetizer or quick and easy dinner.
Tender, juicy chicken inside, crispy breading outside and packed with spicy buffalo flavor. Air frying makes them a healthier option to deep frying with the same great taste we crave.
Why this recipe is so popular:
I’ve tested this recipe many times until I figured out how to get the crispy texture of frying without all the oil.
They’re ideal for a quick weeknight meal, game day or easy appetizer anytime.
Buffalo is always a hit at any gathering.
What you need to make Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken:
Just a few simple ingredients from the grocery store (plus your air fryer) for this easy recipe and you’ll be enjoying these boneless crispy chicken wings in a snap.
- boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in strips (may use chicken tenderloins)
- flour (can substitute cornstarch for gluten-free)
- salt and pepper
- garlic powder
- eggs
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce (or your favorite buffalo sauce)
- honey
- cooking spray
How to make Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders:
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees then spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper for easy cleanup (this is where you’ll place the breaded chicken before air frying).
Set up a dredging station in three bowls:
- #1: Blend flour, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
- #2: Whisk eggs.
- #3: Panko breadcrumbs.
Working one piece of chicken at a time, dredge in the flour mixture, dip in the beaten eggs then the Panko gently pressing the breading. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet then continue until all of the chicken is coated.
Place chicken tenders in the preheated air fryer in a single layer (work in batches for the size of your air fryer). Cook for 8 minutes (flipping them over halfway through cooking) then transfer to the a medium bowl, repeating until all of the chicken is cooked.
In a small bowl, combine the buffalo sauce and honey then pour the spicy hot sauce over the cooked chicken. Gently toss to completely coat all pieces then return to the air fryer for 2-3 minutes or until the coating is crispy and the internal temp is 165 degrees (cooking time will vary with air fryers and the size/thickness of chicken strips).
Remove the Buffalo Chicken from the air fryer then serve right away.
Best sides with buffalo chicken:
- Ranch dressing for dipping
- Carrot sticks
- Celery sticks
- Side of blue cheese dressing
- Blue cheese crumbles
Reader favorite air fryer recipes:
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower – crispy air fried Buffalo Cauliflower bites. Crazy good, boldly delicious air fried in minutes for an easy, healthy appetizer or side dish.
Best Air Fryer Salmon – get perfectly cooked salmon every time in just 10 minutes. Juicy inside, lightly cripy outisde. Includes instructions for optional Teriyaki glaze.
Air Fried Sausage and Peppers – delicious, quick and easy weeknight dinner cooks completely in the air fryer in under 20 minutes! Mimics the taste of grilled sausage and peppers.
Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Wings – bone-in chicken wings – juicy inside with a light, crispy seasoned breading outside. Uses almost no oil and cleanup is quick and easy.
Air Fryer “Fried” Oreos – Oreo cookies wrapped in dough, air fried until golden then dusted with powdered sugar. Whip up this simple fair favorite at home without a drop of oil!
Enjoy!
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Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- cooking spray
- 1 pound boneless chicken breasts cut in strips (or use tenderloins)
- 1/3 cup flour or use cornstarch for GF
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 3/4 cup Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce or your favorite buffalo sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees then spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper (this is where you’ll place the breaded chicken before air frying).
- Set up a dredging station: Bowl #1: Blend flour, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Bowl 2: Whisk eggs. Bowl #3: Panko breadcrumbs.
- Working one piece of chicken at a time, dredge in the flour mixture, then dip in the beaten eggs and last in the Panko gently pressing the breading. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet then continue until all of the chicken is coated.
- Place chicken tenders in the air fryer in a single layer (work in batches as necessary). Cook for 8 minutes (flipping over halfway through cooking) then transfer to the a medium bowl, repeating until all of the chicken is cooked.
- In a small bowl, combine the buffalo sauce and honey then pour the spicy hot sauce over the cooked chicken.
- Gently toss to completely coat all pieces then return to the air fryer for 2-3 minutes or until the coating is crispy and the internal temp is 165 degrees (cooking time will vary with air fryers and the size/thickness of chicken strips).
Made these tonight. I used franks extra hot sauce and nearly doubled the recipe for the 2ish pounds of tenders I had. When I tossed them in sauce I ended up cooking them about five minutes more to make sure they were cooked through and crispy. They were delightful. Came out just like the picture. Nice and crispy outside and tender/juicy inside. Will definitely make again.