Healthy Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with Popcorners Crust - Easy, Family-Friendly Recipe

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with Popcorners

If you're looking for a healthier take on crispy chicken tenders, this air fryer recipe with a spicy Popcorners crust could become your new favorite weeknight meal. Skip the frying pan and make this delicious, crunchy chicken without the guilt – perfect for the whole family!

This crispy air fryer chicken tenders recipe is perfect for anyone looking to make healthier meals with less oil. It’s quick, easy, and full of flavor!

Crispy Chicken with Asparagus and a sugar free BBQ sauce on a plate
Crispy air fryer chicken tenders served with roasted asparagus, ranch dip, and sugar-free BBQ sauce - the perfect healthy family dinner combo.

  • Total cook time: Less than 15 minutes
  • Family friendly: YES! My 13 year old loved the crunch!
  • Difficulty level: Easy/Intermediate
  • Serving size: 3–4
  • Serving suggestions: We served our crispy tenders with a side of roasted asparagus, a creamy homemade ranch dip, and a tangy *Sugar-free BBQ sauce for dipping. Feel free to swap in your favorite sides!

Although you can use any chip that you prefer, we enjoyed the flavor and texture of PopCorners.

What I Learned

It took me a while to get past some past chicken mishaps – overcooked, dry pieces that left me reluctant to cook chicken often. But after trying this air fryer recipe, I’m officially back in the chicken-lovers' club! The crispiness and juicy interior have made chicken a regular on our dinner table again.

If You Enjoy Chicken Recipes, You May Also Like

If you like this air fryer chicken tenders recipe, you may also want to try my Shredded Ranch Chicken, Easy Chipotle Chicken Tacos, or my Easy Chicken and Waffles Recipe.

Inspiration

Recipe inspiration: Simply Recipes

Ingredients for Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

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  • 1/2 cup light sour cream
  • 1 oz ranch dip seasoning packet
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • *1 cup crushed Popcorners, Spicy Queso
  • 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts – cut into tenders
  • Pepper to taste
  • PAM cooking spray

*As a side note, the sour cream and ranch dip seasoning packet form together to make a ranch dipping sauce. This is optional. If you don't want to dip your chicken tenders in ranch, you can skip. You will use 1/4 of the ranch packet for the chicken.

Directions for Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

✓ Step #1: Spray and preheat the air fryer – Preheat to 400 degrees for 10 minutes.

✓ Step #2: Make the ranch dip – If you would like to make the ranch dip, combine the light sour cream and 3/4 of the ranch dip seasoning packet. Cover and refrigerate until you are ready to serve the tenders.

Ranch dipping sauce for breaded air fryer chicken tenders in a bowl.Creamy homemade ranch dipping sauce made with light sour cream and ranch seasoning - a cool, tangy side for crispy chicken tenders.

✓ Step #3: Make the coating stations – In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs. In another bowl, add the flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, pepper, and the remaining 1/4 of the ranch dip seasoning. In a third bowl, add the crushed Popcorners or chips of your choosing.

The dry flour mixture for breaded air fryer chicken tendersA flavorful blend of flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, and garlic powder - the perfect coating base for air fryer chicken tenders.

✓ Step #4: Bread the tenders – Working one tender at a time, dip the tender in the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, and finally into the crushed chip mixture. Tap off any excess and make sure all sides are coated before placing into the air fryer basket.

✓ Step #5: Cook – Cook the tenders for 5 minutes, flip, and cook for another 6 minutes.

Crispy chicken tenders with asparagus, a homemade ranch dressing, and a sugar free BBQ sauceGolden, crunchy chicken tenders coated in spicy Popcorners crumbs - served with ranch dip, asparagus, and BBQ sauce for a complete meal.

Storage & Reheating Tip

Store leftover air fryer chicken tenders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer for best results.

What Did You Think?

Have you tried these crispy air fryer chicken tenders? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below – or if you have any tips or favorite coatings for chicken tenders, share them with us! Don’t forget to rate the recipe – your feedback helps me create more delicious recipes for you!

These crispy air fryer chicken tenders were a total hit in our house - crunchy, quick, and guilt-free!

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