Description
These air fryer chicken tenders with corn flakes are perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Made with simple pantry ingredients and cooked with minimal oil, they deliver that irresistible crunch without deep frying. This easy family-friendly recipe is ideal for busy weeknights, meal prep, or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound chicken tenders (or sliced chicken breast)
- 2 cups corn flakes, crushed
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder (optional)
- Cooking spray or olive oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Prepare coating stations:
Bowl 1: Flour mixed with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Bowl 2: Beaten eggs.
Bowl 3: Crushed corn flakes. - Coat chicken:
Dredge each tender in seasoned flour.
Dip into egg mixture.
Press into crushed corn flakes to coat evenly. - Arrange coated tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray.
- Cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Check doneness: Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Rest for 2–3 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed.
- For extra crispiness, chill coated tenders for 15 minutes before cooking.
- Add cayenne pepper for a spicy version.
- Substitute gluten-free flour and corn flakes for a gluten-free option.
- Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes to maintain crunch.