Air Fryer Beginner 33 min

Crispy panko chicken tenders

Name: Crispy panko chicken tenders
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 33 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 600 g chicken breast; 2 eggs; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp paprika; 0.5 tsp salt; 0.25 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp olive oil

Perfectly crispy and juicy chicken tenders made easy in your air fryer. A quick and delicious meal for any day of the week.

Steps

01
Slice chicken breasts into 1-inch thick tenders.
02
In a shallow bowl, whisk eggs. In another shallow bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Dredge each tender first in the egg, then coat thoroughly with the panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
03
Preheat air fryer to 200°C (400°F). Lightly spray the basket with olive oil, place the tenders in a single layer without overcrowding, then lightly spray the tops.
04
Cook for 9 minutes, flip the tenders, then continue cooking for another 7 to 9 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (74°C/165°F internal temperature).
05
Remove from the air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with your favorite dipping sauce.

Why it works

Why does breading get crispy in an air fryer?

Breading gets crispy in an air fryer because the high-speed hot air rapidly evaporates surface moisture from the coating. As the outer layer dehydrates, the starches set into a rigid, brittle crust. The egg wash underneath acts as a moisture barrier that prevents steam from the food's interior from soaking back through and making the coating soggy.

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