I just finished working on a recipe for homemade air fryer chicken tenders from scratch and realized this deserves its own post. Whether you’re a household of one, saving money by avoiding fast food, or prefer to avoid mystery meats and preservatives by making and freezing large batches of homemade chicken tenders… it’s great to always have your freezer stacked, ready to make air fryer frozen chicken tenders at a moment’s notice. Crispy chicken strips are a drive-thru and a kids’ favorite for many. They’re packed with flavor, tender in the middle and crispy outside, easy to eat, & perfect for enjoying with your favorite dipping sauce or as part of a larger meal. Now you can make the best frozen chicken tenders in an air fryer for restaurant-quality results with minimal effort, time, and money! Whether you’re using raw or pre-cooked frozen tenders (or chicken goujons, fingers, or strips), cooking frozen chicken fingers in air fryer has become a favorite of mine for a quick and simple snack or weeknight meal. They’re so simple to make and ready in under 15 minutes. Want to enjoy more simple air fryer recipes? Check out these air fryer frozen French fries or quick air fryer salmon.
How to Cook Frozen Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer
Follow the simple method on how to air fry frozen chicken tenders with no need for thawing! First, preheat your air fryer to 400ºF/200ºC for 5 minutes. I also recommend spraying the tenders with cooking oil (like olive oil). This is 100% optional, but great for the crispiest air fryer frozen chicken strips. Avoid cooking sprays like PAM, which can ruin the air fryer’s non-stick lining. Then, spread the frozen chicken tenders into a single layer in your air fryer basket, ensuring there’s no overlap.
How Long to Cook Frozen Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer
For pre-cooked tenders: Air fry frozen chicken tenders for 8-12 minutes (based on their size/thickness). Flip them halfway to ensure even cooking. And this is how simple and how long to air fry frozen chicken tenders. Thin chicken strips will take closer to 8 minutes, whereas thicker/bigger chicken tenders will take 10-12 minutes.
How to Cook Frozen Uncooked Chicken Tenders
For uncooked frozen tenders: Air fry them for 22-28 minutes based on their size, flipping halfway through. For crispier air fryer frozen chicken tenders, spray both sides lightly with a bit of cooking oil.
How Do You Know When Frozen Chicken Tenders Are Done
To ensure they are safely cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature has reached 165ºF/74ºC. I like leaving the air fryer frozen chicken tenders to rest for 2-3 minutes before serving (enough time to plate up or get your dipping sauces ready). Enjoy!
Can You Refreeze Cooked Frozen Chicken Tenders
No. Once you’ve frozen and thawed/cooked the frozen chicken strips in an air fryer, please don’t re-freeze them. However, if you’re cooking them for the first time from frozen, you can re-freeze them for up to 3 months and then reheat them from frozen.
What To Serve with Chicken Tenders
When I’m feeling childlike cravings, I love to enjoy these air fryer frozen chicken strips as a snack with dipping sauces. Other times, you’ll see me adding them to larger meals.
What Are The Best Dipping Sauces for Chicken Tenders
Chicken tenders are practically the ultimate dippable chicken dish that pairs with so many sauces, including:
BBQ sauce, Buffalo sauce, Big mac sauce, Ranch dressing, Honey mustard sauce, Ketchup, Mayonnaise – regular or flavored, chipotle mayo, etc. Garlic aioli, Alabama white sauce (white BBQ sauce), Warm marinara, Cheese dip, Raising Cane’s sauce recipe.
Other Serving Recommendations
I particularly love to air fry frozen chicken strips to enjoy alongside potato sides like fries, au grain, or deviled egg potato salad. You can also enjoy the air fried chicken fingers in sandwiches and wraps, in simple pasta dishes, or alongside vegetable sides.
More Chicken Recipes
One Pot Chicken and Rice Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs 2 Ways Chicken Brine Recipe Oven-Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs How To Reheat Fried Chicken In Air Fryer
If you try this crispy air fryer frozen chicken tenders recipe, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
