Crispy chicken tenders without the deep fryer? YES! These air fryer chicken tenders only need 10 minutes to get golden and crispy. The honey mustard dipping sauce can be stirred together during that time to make this a fast and weeknight friendly meal. If honey mustard isn't your thing, try making our homemade ranch dressing! It's another great use of the buttermilk 😜. If you don't have tenders you can cut thin strips out chicken breasts for the same results. Spraying the breaded tenders down with a little cooking spray gives the chicken the added moisture it needs for the breading and helps turn the chicken tenders into a nice golden color.

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE CHICKEN TENDERS

1 1/2 lb. chicken tenders

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour 

2 1/2 c. panko bread crumbs

2 large eggs

1/4 c. buttermilk

Cooking spray

FOR THE HONEY MUSTARD

1/3 c. mayonnaise

3 tbsp. honey

2 tbsp. dijon mustard

1/4 tsp. hot sauce (optional) 

Pinch of kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper 

DIRECTIONS

1 Season chicken tenders on both sides with salt and pepper. Place flour and bread crumbs in two separate shallow bowls. In a third bowl, whisk together eggs and buttermilk. Working one at a time, dip chicken in flour, then egg mixture, and finally in bread crumbs, pressing to coat. 

2 Working in batches, place chicken tenders in basket of air fryer, being sure to not overcrowd it. Spray the tops of chicken with cooking spray and cook at 400° for 5 minutes. Flip chicken over, spray the tops with more cooking spray and cook 5 minutes more. Repeat with remaining chicken tenders. 

3 Make sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, dijon, and hot sauce, if using. Season with a pinch of salt and a few cracks of black pepper. 

4 Serve chicken tenders with honey mustard.