Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders: Easy, Gluten-Free & Flavorful!
Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with these incredible Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders! Achieving that perfect balance of crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and just the right amount of spicy kick has never been easier. This recipe offers a fantastic meal that the entire family will adore, and it requires minimal effort, making it an ideal choice for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner or an impressive game day appetizer.
One of the standout features of this recipe is its sheer simplicity. With just a few straightforward steps, you can create restaurant-quality chicken tenders without the hassle of deep-frying or even heating up your conventional oven. The air fryer handles all the cooking, transforming simple ingredients into a golden, delicious treat. It’s truly a hassle-free method that delivers maximum flavor.
Whether you’re hosting friends for game day or simply looking for a fun and flavorful meal, these crispy buffalo chicken tenders are a guaranteed hit. Their versatility means they can shine as a standout appetizer with your favorite dipping sauces or as the main event alongside a fresh salad or tasty side dish. Once you try them, they’re sure to become a regular request in your household.
For an excellent dippable companion that perfectly complements these savory and spicy chicken tenders, we highly recommend trying our Baked Potato Wedges. They boast a delightful crisp exterior and a fluffy interior, making them an irresistible pairing.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
There are countless reasons why these buffalo chicken tenders will quickly become a household favorite. Here are just a few:
- Effortless Ingredients: You’ll appreciate that this recipe calls for only simple, readily available ingredients. Most likely, you already have these pantry staples on hand, saving you a trip to the grocery store. We focus on common items to make delicious food accessible to everyone.
- Customizable Heat Level: One of the best aspects is the ability to control the amount of heat in your tenders. Whether your family prefers a mild tang or a fiery kick, you can easily adjust the hot sauce and buffalo sauce to suit everyone’s palate, ensuring a perfectly satisfying experience for all.
- Irresistible Flavor & Texture: The buffalo sauce isn’t just spicy; it’s packed with a robust flavor that adds a phenomenal kick and creates a wonderfully sticky, glaze-like coating. This transforms ordinary chicken tenders into an extraordinary dish, elevating them to a whole new level of deliciousness. The air fryer ensures they are perfectly crispy on the outside, creating a delightful textural contrast with the tender chicken inside.
- Unbeatable Versatility: These tenders are incredibly versatile, making them suitable for any occasion. Serve them as a crowd-pleasing appetizer during gatherings, a satisfying snack, or a complete, flavorful meal. They fit seamlessly into various dining scenarios, from casual weeknights to festive celebrations.
- Healthier Cooking Method: By utilizing the air fryer, you get all the delicious crispiness of fried chicken with significantly less oil. This makes for a lighter and healthier alternative without compromising on taste or texture, allowing you to indulge guilt-free.
- Quick & Convenient: From prep to plate, these buffalo chicken tenders come together in under 30 minutes, making them an excellent solution for busy schedules. The air fryer’s efficiency cuts down cooking time, allowing you to enjoy a flavorful meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Essential Ingredients and Brand Suggestions
Crafting these delectable buffalo chicken tenders starts with selecting quality ingredients. Below, we provide detailed information and helpful suggestions for each component. You can find precise measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Chicken Tenders: Opt for fresh, good-quality chicken tenderloins. These are naturally portioned and quick-cooking. If tenderloins aren’t available, chicken breasts can be sliced into similar strips.
- Gluten-Free Flour: This is crucial for achieving that crispy coating while adhering to dietary needs. We highly recommend Bob’s Red Mill Sweet Rice Flour. Its fine texture and ability to crisp up beautifully make it an excellent choice for breading. A good all-purpose gluten-free flour blend can also work.
- Cornstarch: A secret weapon for extra crispiness! Cornstarch is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free and, when combined with flour, creates an incredibly light and crunchy coating that resists sogginess.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a savory depth and aromatic warmth to the breading, complementing the spicy buffalo flavor perfectly.
- Onion Powder: Similar to garlic powder, onion powder enhances the overall savory profile, providing a subtle, sweet, and pungent flavor without adding moisture.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley, finely chopped, offers a vibrant, herbaceous note and a pop of color. If fresh isn’t available, dried parsley works just as well, as we used here. It brightens the flavor profile.
- Pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper adds a pungent, slightly spicy undertone that enhances all the other flavors in the breading.
- Large Eggs: Both the egg whites and yolks are used to create the essential “egg wash,” which acts as a binder, helping the breading adhere firmly to the chicken.
- Hot Sauce: This provides the foundational heat for the buffalo sauce. Choose your favorite gluten and dairy-free brand. For those who enjoy variety, this brand offers a fantastic variety pack, allowing you to experiment with different levels of heat and flavor.
- Buffalo Sauce: The star of the show! A good buffalo sauce brings together heat, tang, and richness. Our go-to is Primal Kitchen No Dairy Buffalo Sauce. It’s a fantastic dairy-free option that contains cashew butter for creaminess and avoids xanthan gum, offering a smooth and authentic taste.
Helpful Tools for Perfect Tenders
Having the right kitchen tools can make a significant difference in the ease and success of your cooking. For these air fryer buffalo chicken tenders, these items are particularly useful:
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Essential for accurate ingredient measurements, ensuring consistent results every time.
- Air Fryer: The star appliance for this recipe, allowing you to achieve perfectly crispy tenders with minimal oil. Any model will work, just be mindful of basket size for batch cooking.
- Shallow Bowls: These are indispensable for setting up your breading station (flour mixture, egg wash, flour mixture). Their wide, shallow design makes dipping and coating easy and mess-free.
- Sharp Knife or Fork: Useful for removing the tough tendon from the chicken tenders, ensuring a more tender bite.
- Paper Towels: Handy for gripping the tendon during removal and for general cleanup.
How To Make Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Follow these detailed steps to create perfectly crispy and flavorful buffalo chicken tenders in your air fryer:
- Prepare the Chicken: Begin by removing the tendon from each chicken tender. This fibrous strip can be tough if not removed. To do this, grasp the tendon firmly with a paper towel for a better grip. Then, place the edge of a knife or a fork forcefully against the tendon where it meets the chicken on a cutting board. While holding the knife/fork down, pull the tendon out from the chicken. This technique makes removal surprisingly easy.
- Create the Egg Wash: In one of your shallow bowls, whisk together the large eggs and the hot sauce until they are thoroughly combined. This mixture will serve as your essential egg wash, helping the dry breading adhere to the chicken.
- Prepare the Breading Mixture: In a separate shallow dish, combine the gluten-free flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, and black pepper. Whisk these dry ingredients until they are evenly distributed. This mixture forms the crispy coating for your tenders.
- First Breading Dip: Take each chicken tender and dip it into the flour breading mixture, ensuring both sides are fully coated. Gently shake off any excess flour. This initial coating provides a base for the egg wash.
- Egg Wash Dip: Next, carefully dip the flour-coated tender into the egg mixture. Allow any excess egg wash to drip off before moving to the next step. A thin, even layer is what you’re aiming for.
- Second Breading Dredge: Immediately after the egg wash, dredge the tender back into the dry flour mixture. Press lightly to ensure a generous and even coating on all sides. This double-dredging technique is key to achieving that extra crispy texture.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the coated chicken tenders in a single layer in the well-oiled air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd it. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness.
- First Air Fry Cycle: Air fry the tenders at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time (around 5 minutes), carefully flip the tenders to ensure they cook evenly and crisp up on both sides.
- Buffalo Sauce Application & Final Fry: After the initial 10 minutes, remove the basket. Brush a generous layer of buffalo sauce over one side of the tenders. Return them to the air fryer and cook for another 2 and a half minutes. Then, flip the tenders, brush the other side with buffalo sauce, and air fry for an additional 2 and a half minutes. This step allows the sauce to caramelize slightly and adhere beautifully to the crispy coating.
- Serve Warm: Once cooked to perfection and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), remove the buffalo chicken tenders from the air fryer. Serve them immediately while warm, accompanied by your favorite dairy-free ranch or blue cheese dipping sauce, celery sticks, or other preferred sides.
Storage and Reheating Tips
To enjoy your delicious buffalo chicken tenders beyond the first serving, proper storage and reheating are key to maintaining their flavor and texture:
Store any leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container or a heavy-duty storage bag in the refrigerator for up to three days. For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked tenders in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to three months. When freezing, it’s a good idea to flash freeze them on a baking sheet first to prevent them from sticking together, then transfer them to a bag or container.
When you’re ready to enjoy them again, thaw frozen tenders overnight in the fridge. To reheat, you can use the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through and crispy. Alternatively, reheat them in a conventional oven on a baking sheet at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. This helps restore their crispiness, ensuring they taste almost as good as fresh.
Recipe Variations to Explore
These buffalo chicken tenders are incredibly versatile, offering many opportunities to customize them to your liking or dietary needs:
- Chicken Breasts: If chicken tenderloins are hard to find, don’t worry! You can easily substitute them with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Simply slice the chicken breasts lengthwise into thin, uniform strips (about 1-inch thick) to mimic the size and cooking time of tenders.
- Extra Crispy Chicken Tenders: For an unparalleled crunch, elevate the crispiness by replacing the second flour dredge with gluten-free panko breadcrumbs. The larger, flakier crumbs will create an even more satisfyingly crisp exterior.
- Low Carb Option: To make these tenders low carb, get creative with your breading. Use almond flour for the first dredge, which offers a good coating with fewer carbohydrates. For the second dredge, crushed pork rinds provide a fantastic crispy texture and savory flavor that is surprisingly delicious and low in carbs.
- Spicier Kick: If you crave extra heat, increase the amount of hot sauce in your egg wash, or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your flour mixture. You can also opt for a spicier buffalo sauce variety.
- Garlic Parmesan Tenders (Dairy-Free): For a different flavor profile, omit the buffalo sauce and instead, once cooked, toss the tenders with a mixture of melted dairy-free butter, minced garlic, and dairy-free Parmesan cheese.
- Smoky BBQ Tenders: Substitute the buffalo sauce with your favorite dairy-free BBQ sauce. Add a pinch of smoked paprika to the flour mixture for an extra layer of smoky flavor.
Expert Tips & Tricks for the Best Air Fryer Tenders
Achieving perfectly crispy and flavorful air fryer buffalo chicken tenders is easy with a few insider tips:
- Prevent Sticking: Always make sure to thoroughly spray your air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil spray before adding the chicken tenders. This prevents them from sticking to the basket and ensures a clean release with an intact crispy coating.
- Parchment Paper Alternative: As an alternative to spraying, you can also line your air fryer basket with parchment paper specifically designed for air fryers. This makes cleanup even easier, just be sure the paper doesn’t obstruct airflow.
- Customize Heat Levels: This recipe yields chicken pieces with a medium heat level. If you prefer more spice, opt for a hot or extra hot buffalo sauce, or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the flour mixture. For those who enjoy a milder flavor, choose a mild buffalo sauce.
- Dipping Sauce Perfection: Our family absolutely loves to serve these tenders with a side of creamy dairy-free blue cheese dressing or dairy-free ranch dressing. These cool and tangy sauces provide a wonderful contrast to the spicy chicken.
- Homemade Buffalo Sauce: For complete control over ingredients and flavor, consider making your own buffalo sauce from scratch. It’s often as simple as combining your favorite hot sauce with melted dairy-free butter (or a butter alternative) and a touch of vinegar, ensuring it’s entirely safe for your family’s dietary needs.
- Enhance Flavor with Additional Seasonings: Next time, experiment by adding more seasonings to your flour mixture. A dash of black pepper, a pinch of smoked paprika, or a little extra garlic powder can deepen the flavor profile and make these tenders even more unique.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: For truly crispy tenders, avoid overloading your air fryer basket. Cook the chicken in a single layer with enough space between each piece for hot air to circulate freely. This ensures even cooking and promotes maximum crispiness.
- Serve with Creative Sides: Beyond traditional fries or celery sticks, these tasty tenders pair wonderfully with some fun and trending sides like TikTok Pasta Chips for a playful and delicious dinner!
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Just like a conventional oven, preheating your air fryer for 3-5 minutes before adding the chicken can help achieve a more consistent and crispy result.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the cooked tenders to rest for a minute or two after removing them from the air fryer. This helps the juices redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For food safety, always check the temperature of the largest piece of chicken with a meat thermometer. Fully cooked chicken tenders should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when they are done. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, avoiding any bone.
To restore their delicious crispiness, you can reheat chicken tenders in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, flipping halfway through. Alternatively, reheat them in a conventional oven on a baking sheet at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until thoroughly heated and crispy.
These homemade buffalo chicken tenders are incredibly versatile! We love serving them with classic sides like crisp celery sticks, homemade or frozen fries, or a fresh, crisp side salad to balance the richness. Other great options include corn on the cob, coleslaw, or even sweet potato fries.
While these buffalo chicken tenders are truly at their best when served immediately after cooking for maximum crispiness, you can certainly prepare them slightly in advance. If you cook them a little early, simply warm them back up using the reheating instructions mentioned above (in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes) until they are hot and crispy again.
Yes, absolutely! This recipe is specifically designed to be both gluten-free and dairy-free. We use gluten-free flour and cornstarch for the breading, and recommend specific dairy-free hot sauces and buffalo sauces to ensure there are no hidden dairy ingredients. Always double-check your chosen brand labels to confirm they meet your dietary needs.
For the best results, we recommend using fresh chicken tenders as they typically yield a juicier interior and better breading adhesion. If you must use frozen tenders, ensure they are fully thawed and patted completely dry before beginning the breading process to prevent a soggy coating.
Other Delicious Air Fryer Recipes to Try
If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and delicious results of air frying, you’ll definitely want to explore these other fantastic recipes:
- Air Fryer Squash: A simple and healthy way to enjoy perfectly roasted squash with minimal oil.
- Easy Air Fryer Mushrooms: Tender and flavorful mushrooms, ideal as a side dish or a versatile addition to any meal.
- Air Fryer Street Tacos: Quick and easy street tacos with perfectly cooked beef, a guaranteed family favorite.
Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs chicken tenders
- ½ cup gluten-free flour (e.g., Bob’s Red Mill Sweet Rice Flour, see suggestions above)
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (dairy-free, your preferred brand)
- ½ cup Buffalo sauce (dairy-free, e.g., Primal Kitchen No Dairy Buffalo Sauce)
Instructions
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Carefully remove the tendon from each chicken tender. Grip the tendon with a paper towel, then use the edge of a knife or a fork to firmly press against the tendon on a cutting board, pulling the tendon out of the chicken.
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In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and 1 teaspoon of hot sauce until completely combined. This creates your egg wash.
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In another shallow dish, mix the gluten-free flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, and pepper to create your seasoned breading mixture.
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Dip each chicken tender into the dry breading mixture, ensuring both sides are well coated. Shake off any excess.
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Next, dip the flour-coated tender into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off.
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Finally, dredge it back into the flour mixture again, pressing lightly to ensure a thorough and even coating. This double-dredging technique ensures maximum crispiness.
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Lightly spray your air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil. Arrange the breaded tenders in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. Cook in batches if necessary.
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Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes, flipping the tenders halfway through cooking (at the 5-minute mark) to ensure even crisping.
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After 10 minutes, open the air fryer. Brush the tenders with half of the buffalo sauce. Air fry for another 2 and ½ minutes. Flip the tenders, brush them with the remaining buffalo sauce, and air fry for another 2 ½ minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
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Remove the finished tenders from the air fryer and serve warm with your favorite dairy-free dipping sauce and sides.
Notes
- These Nutritional Facts are ESTIMATED. Your actual nutritional info with this recipe may vary depending on the brands you choose. For optimal crispiness, ensure the chicken tenders are patted very dry before breading and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
These Nutritional Facts are ESTIMATED. Your actual nutritional info with this recipe may vary depending on the brands you choose. “Eating Gluten and Dairy Free” is not a registered dietician or nutritionist. The provided nutritional info above is based on a generic calculator; if you want more accurate info, use your nutritional calculator of choice where you can specify brands and get more detailed information that way.