Zippy Parmesan Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

These crispy parmesan crusted air fryer chicken tenders promise a delightful crunch that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Golden, perfectly seasoned strips emerging from the air fryer with irresistible texture and flavor.

Lean chicken gets an incredible upgrade through a simple coating that delivers maximum satisfaction.

parmesan cheese adds a savory depth that elevates these tenders from ordinary to extraordinary.

Quick preparation means you can have a restaurant-worthy meal on the table in minutes.

Zero guilt comes with this healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried versions.

Each bite combines the crispness you crave with wholesome ingredients that keep things light and delicious.

Grab a plate and get ready to experience chicken tenders like never before.

Reasons People Make Parmesan Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

• Crisp Up Perfectly: These air fryer chicken tenders achieve golden, crunchy exteriors without excess oil, delivering restaurant-quality texture right in your kitchen.
• Flavor Explosion: Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning create a robust, savory coating that transforms basic chicken into an irresistible meal everyone will love.
• Super Fast Cooking: With just 10-12 minutes of air frying, you'll have a delicious dinner ready faster than traditional oven-baked methods, making it ideal for busy weeknight meals.
• Healthier Comfort Food: Using an air fryer significantly reduces oil content compared to deep-frying, offering a lighter version of a classic comfort food without sacrificing taste or crunchiness.

What You’ll Use For Parmesan Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

• Chicken Tenders: Lean and tender protein perfect for a crispy coating, choose fresh or completely thawed chicken for best results.

• Flour: Creates a dry base for egg and breadcrumb adhesion, all-purpose flour works best.
• Eggs: Helps breading stick to chicken, provides moisture and binding.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds rich, salty flavor and helps create crispy exterior.
• Breadcrumbs: Provides crunchy texture and golden brown color, plain or seasoned varieties work well.

• Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning, Paprika, Salt, Pepper: Delivers complex flavor profile with warmth and depth, choose fresh and high-quality spices for best taste.

• Cooking Spray: Helps achieve crispy exterior and prevents sticking, neutral flavored spray recommended.

How To Make Parmesan Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Step 1: Fire Up The Air Fryer

Crank your air fryer to a sizzling 400F (200C) and let it warm up for a quick 3-5 minutes. This preheating dance ensures your chicken tenders get that perfect golden crunch.

Step 2: Create Breading Stations

• All-purpose flour
• Eggs
• Parmesan cheese
• Plain breadcrumbs
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Line up three shallow bowls like culinary workstations ready for action.

Step 3: Transform Chicken Tenders

• First, dust the tender in flour, shaking off excess
• Next, dive into beaten eggs, ensuring complete coverage
• Finally, press into the Parmesan breadcrumb mixture, creating a flavor armor

Step 4: Air Fry To Crispy Perfection

Prepare your air fryer basket with a light cooking spray coating. Arrange chicken tenders in a single layer, leaving breathing room between pieces. Lightly mist the tops with cooking spray for extra crispiness. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping midway, until they’re golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165F (74C).

Step 5: Serve And Devour

Rescue your crispy creations from the air fryer and plate them immediately. Pair with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy the crunchy, cheesy goodness.

Tips To Know For Parmesan Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

• Prep Perfectly: Pat chicken tenders dry before breading to ensure maximum crispy coating adhesion and prevent soggy results.
• Breadcrumb Boost: Use a mix of panko and regular breadcrumbs for extra crunch and a more textured exterior on your chicken tenders.
• Temperature Trick: Let chicken tenders sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before coating to help breading stick better and promote even cooking.
• Spray Smart: Use a light olive oil or avocado oil spray to help chicken achieve golden-brown color without excess calories.
• Spacing Secret: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure each tender gets crispy and cooks evenly, guaranteeing a restaurant-quality result.

Store Parmesan Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Tenders With Ease

• Refrigeration: Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping them fresh and tasty.
• Reheating in Air Fryer: Warm chicken tenders at 350F for 3-4 minutes, restoring their crispy exterior and keeping the inside juicy and tender.
• Microwave Option: Quickly reheat tenders for 30-45 seconds, but expect slightly softer breading compared to air fryer method.
• Freezing: Wrap cooled tenders individually in plastic wrap, place in freezer bag, and freeze for up to 2 months for future quick meals.

Sides To Try With Parmesan Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

• Amplify Crunch with Cool Dips: Pair these crispy Parmesan chicken tenders with tangy ranch, zesty honey mustard, or creamy marinara sauce for a flavor explosion that complements the golden, cheesy coating.
• Refresh with Bright Sides: Balance the richness of the chicken with a light cucumber salad, crisp coleslaw, or lemony mixed green salad to add freshness and cut through the savory breading.
• Wine and Dine Perfectly: Complement the cheesy, herbal notes with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light beer such as pilsner, which will enhance the chicken's delicate flavors without overwhelming the dish.
• Elevate with Veggie Companions: Serve alongside roasted asparagus, garlic-sautéed green beans, or a colorful Mediterranean vegetable medley to add nutritional balance and visual appeal to your meal.

Fresh Takes On Parmesan Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

• Spicy Jalapeño Crunch: Kick up the heat by adding finely chopped jalapeños to the Parmesan breadcrumb mixture. Mix in some cayenne pepper for an extra fiery punch that'll make taste buds dance.
• Herb Garden Chicken: Swap Italian seasoning for fresh chopped herbs like rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Incorporate some lemon zest to brighten the flavor profile and add a zesty background note.
• Ranch Style Tenders: Replace Parmesan with ranch seasoning mix in the breading. Sprinkle dried dill and onion powder for a tangy, creamy flavor that kids and adults will love.
• Coconut Crusted Tropical: Blend shredded coconut with panko breadcrumbs for a crispy, island-inspired coating. Add a pinch of ground ginger to complement the coconut's sweet undertones.

Questions About Parmesan Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

• Why use Parmesan cheese in the breading?

Parmesan adds a delicious nutty, salty flavor that creates an extra crispy crust and boosts the overall taste of the chicken tenders. It helps the breading stick better and gives a golden-brown color when air fried.

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken tenders?

Yes, you can! Just cut chicken breasts into tender-sized strips to ensure even cooking. Make sure to adjust cooking time slightly and check the internal temperature reaches 165F to guarantee they’re fully cooked.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

No, the current recipe isn’t gluten-free because of breadcrumbs. To make it gluten-free, replace regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers. Always double-check that your Parmesan cheese is also gluten-free.

• How do I keep the chicken tenders crispy?

Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, which can make the tenders soggy. Cook in single layers, leave space between pieces, and lightly spray with cooking spray to help achieve that perfect crispy texture.

Parmesan Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy Parmesan crusted air fryer chicken tenders elevate weeknight dinners with golden, crunchy goodness. Packed with flavor and quick to prepare, these tender bites deliver restaurant-quality results without heavy oil or complicated techniques.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 lb (450 g) chicken tenders or boneless chicken breasts cut into strips

Coating Ingredients:

• ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup (60 g) breadcrumbs (panko or regular)

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Serving:

• Dipping sauce of choice (e.g., ranch, honey mustard, or marinara)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the air fryer by heating it to a sizzling 400F (200C), allowing it to warm up for 3-5 minutes, creating the perfect cooking environment for crispy chicken tenders.
2. Organize three separate preparation vessels: one for flour, another for whisked eggs, and a third for the flavor-packed coating mixture combining Parmesan, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Transform each chicken tender into a culinary masterpiece by first dusting it with a light flour coating, ensuring excess falls away. Submerge the floured tender into the egg wash, guaranteeing complete coverage before generously pressing it into the seasoned Parmesan mixture, creating a robust, crunchy exterior.
4. Optimize air fryer performance by lightly misting the basket with cooking spray. Arrange the coated tenders in a single, spacious layer, avoiding overcrowding. A quick spritz of cooking spray on the tender tops will enhance crispiness. Cook for 10-12 minutes, midway rotating the pieces to ensure even golden-brown perfection and an internal temperature of 165F (74C).
5. Carefully extract the tenders from the air fryer, allowing them to rest momentarily. Plate immediately and accompany with your preferred dipping sauce, ready to delight eager taste buds with a satisfyingly crunchy exterior and juicy interior.

Notes

• Ensure your air fryer is preheated properly to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior without drying out the chicken.
• Shake off excess flour and press breadcrumb mixture firmly onto the chicken to create a thick, even coating that locks in moisture and provides maximum crunch.
• Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, which can result in uneven cooking and soggy tenders.
• For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour and breadcrumbs with almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds.
• Experiment with different seasonings like smoked paprika, ranch powder, or cayenne for a personalized flavor profile that keeps the dish exciting.
• Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee food safety and prevent overcooking, which can make chicken dry and tough.
• Let chicken rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking to help juices redistribute, ensuring each bite remains tender and succulent.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg