Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders

These air fryer buffalo chicken tenders are a delicious, easy recipe the whole family will love. No deep frying is necessary, and you still get the crispiest, juiciest buffalo tenders. Let’s talk about this tender recipe.

Full disclosure, if you do not have an air fryer, you are seriously missing out on a life-saving kitchen gadget. Some argue it is just a convection oven, but I beg to differ. It is perfect for making your own chips, french fries, and chicken tenders, I even make cookies and pizza in mine! You will be blown away by the crispy texture an air fryer can give these food items.

I love this recipe because it requires simple ingredients, it does not require a lot of prep time, and the air fryer process is extremely quick. It makes a perfect weeknight dinner for your family, or if you are a meal prepper like me, they are great for the whole week.

Another unintentional benefit of this recipe is that they are low carb, keto-friendly, and of course, high protein, with over 37 grams of protein. 

Ingredients: 

• 14 oz chicken tenderloins
• 30 grams Whisps Buffalo cheese crumbs
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 large whole egg

Instructions: 

1. Begin by rinsing all of the chicken tenderloins and laying them on a paper towel to dry. 
2. Set up your breading station by laying out three shallow bowls. Fill one with all-purpose flour, crack and whisk the egg into the second, and fill the last with the buffalo cheese crumbs.
3. Begin by dredging a piece of chicken in the flour mixture, then dipping it in the egg mixture and coating it with the cheese crumbs. Repeat for all of the tenders.
4. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and line the bottom with the breaded chicken. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to do 2-3 batches.
5. Cook the air fryer chicken tenders at 350 for 5 minutes, flip, and air fry for 5 more minutes. Repeat until all the tenders are fully cooked, golden brown, and perfectly crispy.
6. Dip in your favorite buffalo sauce, ranch dip, or blue cheese dressing, and enjoy.

Is buffalo chicken hot or spicy?

Have you ever seen those shows where they taste the wings and rank them from mild to hot? No? That’s okay. The point I am trying to get at is there are various levels of “spice” associated with buffalo sauce. You can get a mild sauce, a medium sauce, or something super spicy, it is all up to preference.

What does buffalo chicken taste like?

Buffalo sauce has a distinct spicy, tangy flavor. To be honest, it goes with everything, there are also various levels of heat ranging from mild to super hot.

Why do they call it buffalo chicken?

The dish was created in Buffalo, New York, where the name “buffalo chicken” originates. It is typically a chicken wing or tender covered in a tangy, spicy sauce. 

How can you make the air fryer chicken tenders spicier?

If you want these tenders to have more of a kick to them, mix in some garlic powder and cayenne pepper into the cheese crumbs before coating the chicken.

What if you do not have cheese crumbs?

You will likely find the Whisps Buffalo cheese crumbs at your grocery store, but if not, you can swap them with panko crumbs or regular bread crumbs. If you end up doing that, it will be important you also coat the tenders in a buffalo sauce to ensure they have that buffalo flavor! 

Can you make air fryer buffalo bites? 

If you are like me and you love boneless buffalo wings, you can use skinless chicken breast, cut it into cubes, and follow the recipe as described. An even easier hack would be to buy the bite-size pieces that are already diced. You can find these by the other chicken at the grocery store; it saves a lot of time!

How do you store the air fryer chicken tenders for meal prepping?

Store the buffalo tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. You will have to reheat them before eating, they reheat very well in the air fryer at 400 for 3-5 minutes.

How do you make homemade buffalo chicken sauce?

If you are interested in making your own buffalo sauce, it requires a few ingredients:

• Hot sauce
• Unsalted butter
• Worcestershire sauce 
• Distilled white vinegar 

Personally, I have never tried to make my own. My favorite buffalo sauce is Frank’s… I am sure you have heard of it. But I found this great recipe that has five stars if you want to give it a try.

Can you use frozen chicken tenders?

You can use any frozen tenders, you will have to let them thaw to room temperature before beginning the breading process.

What can you pair with the air fryer chicken tenders?

I love to have these chicken tenders with a large side salad. It is the perfect balanced meal, but here are some other ideas:

• Chop them and add them to mac and cheese
• Make a buffalo chicken sandwich 
• Make buffalo chicken nachos by topping tortilla chips with tenders and cheese
• Cut up and place in a tortilla to make a buffalo chicken quesadilla 

Another thing to add is these not only make a great meal, but they are also the perfect appetizer. Plate with baby carrots, celery sticks, and some buffalo chicken dip, and you have the ultimate appetizer spread.  

Other recipes you will like:

• High Protein Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
• Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Buffalo Chicken Avocado Toast
• Buffalo Lasagna 
• Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
• Extra Cheesy Buffalo Crunch Wrap
• Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken 

What are the macros for the air fryer buffalo chicken tenders?

Search HNFIT Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders in My Fitness Pal for easy logging.

Makes three servings (3-4 tenders)

Nutritional information:

240 calories

5 grams of fat

8.7 grams of carbs

37.8 grams of protein 

76 sodium

0.3 fiber