Description
Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Cornflake Chicken Tenders with a spicy-sweet twist from hot honey. This quick and easy recipe uses a crunchy cornflake coating and a perfectly seasoned egg wash to create juicy chicken tenders, air fried to golden perfection in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Chicken & Coating
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into tenders
- 3 cups cornflakes, crushed into small pieces (not too fine)
- Cooking spray or oil (for air frying)
Egg Mixture
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Serving
- Store-bought hot honey (for drizzling and dipping)
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and spray the basket lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Egg Mixture & Cornflake Coating: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder until fully combined. In a separate shallow dish, place the crushed cornflakes.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken tender into the seasoned egg mixture, making sure it is fully coated. Then roll the chicken in the crushed cornflakes, pressing gently so the coating adheres well all around.
- Place in Air Fryer Basket: Arrange the coated chicken tenders in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket to allow even crisping.
- Cook the Chicken: Air fry the tenders for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking to ensure they become golden and crispy on all sides. Confirm the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) to ensure they are thoroughly cooked.
- Serve with Hot Honey: Remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and drizzle store-bought hot honey over them, or serve the honey on the side for dipping. Enjoy your spicy-sweet crunchy chicken tenders!
Notes
- For extra crispiness, crush the cornflakes into small pieces but avoid pulverizing them into powder.
- You can adjust the amount of hot honey to your spice preference or use plain honey if desired.
- Make sure the chicken tenders are evenly sized to ensure consistent cooking times.
- If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the tenders in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
