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Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

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4.3 from 87 reviews

Crispy and flavorful Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are coated in a crunchy cornflake crust and drizzled with a spicy-sweet homemade hot honey sauce. Perfectly cooked in the air fryer for a healthier twist on classic fried chicken tenders, these make a delicious appetizer or main dish ready in just 35 minutes.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 servings

Ingredients

Chicken and Breading

  • 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (sliced into strips)
  • 1 large egg
  • Splash of water
  • 2 cups crushed cornflake cereal
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Hot Honey Sauce

  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 3 – 4 Tbsp hot sauce (your favorite brand)

Additional

  • Cooking oil spray (avocado oil preferred, for the air fryer)
  • Minced fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare: Begin by crushing the cornflake cereal either by placing it in a resealable plastic bag and using a rolling pin or skillet to crush, or pulse in a food processor until you have fine crumbs.
  2. Set up bowls: Arrange two shallow bowls and an empty plate or baking sheet. In the first bowl, whisk together the egg and a splash of water until smooth. In the second bowl, combine the crushed cornflakes with kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, onion powder, and garlic powder.
  3. Preheat air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) to preheat.
  4. Bread the chicken: Dip each chicken tender into the egg mixture, coating all sides and letting excess drip off. Then roll the tender in the cornflake crumb mixture, pressing gently to cover completely. Place breaded tenders on the prepared plate. Repeat until all tenders are coated.
  5. Air fry chicken: Spray the air fryer basket lightly with cooking spray. Arrange 4-5 chicken tenders in the basket, spaced apart to allow air circulation. Lightly spray tenders with oil spray as well. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). This will require multiple batches depending on your air fryer size.
  6. Make hot honey sauce: While the chicken cooks, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add honey and hot sauce, stir to combine, and simmer gently for 1-2 minutes until warmed through and slightly thickened.
  7. Drizzle and serve: Once cooked, drizzle the hot honey sauce over the chicken tenders and garnish with minced fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately with ranch or your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

  • Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
  • Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the honey sauce based on your spice preference.
  • Using avocado oil spray helps promote a crispy texture without adding heaviness.
  • Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer for the best food safety and doneness.
  • Leftover hot honey sauce can be stored in the refrigerator and gently reheated.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/hot-honey-air-fryer-chicken-tenders-recipe/