Buffalo chicken tenders air fryer recipes have completely changed my weeknight dinner game. These crispy, spicy tenders deliver restaurant-quality flavor but take just minutes to prepare with practically zero cleanup afterward. They’re the perfect balance of crispy exterior and juicy interior that makes everyone at my table happy. just like my chimichurri chicken air fryer that’s full of bold flavor and done in 30 minutes.
My son Jake (the pickiest 11-year-old in Colorado!) initially turned his nose up at anything with “buffalo” in the name. But after one bite of these tenders, he was converted! Now they’re his most-requested dinner when friends come over to play video games.
These air fryer buffalo chicken tenders are my go-to when I need something quick between dental appointments and soccer practice. The air fryer cuts the cooking time in half compared to oven-baking, and the mess stays contained in the basket rather than splattered all over my stovetop. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become your new weeknight lifesaver!
What You Need to Make This Recipe
This buffalo chicken tenders air fryer recipe uses simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. The star players are juicy chicken tenders, tangy buffalo sauce, and a perfectly seasoned flour mixture that creates that irresistible crispy coating. I always keep Frank’s RedHot in my pantry because my husband David says it’s the only “real” buffalo sauce! If you love buffalo flavor, don’t miss my buffalo chicken stuffed peppers air fryer they’re a spicy, cheesy dinner win. Check the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and measurements.
How to Make buffalo chicken tenders air fryer
Making these buffalo chicken tenders is surprisingly simple! You’ll coat the chicken in seasoned flour, dip in egg, then back in flour for extra crispiness. Air fry them until golden, then toss in buffalo sauce. These air fryer buffalo chicken strips come together in under 20 minutes from start to finish, making them perfect for those nights when you’re juggling kids’ homework and your own deadlines.
Spicy Buffalo Chicken Tenders Air Fryer Recipe (Game Day Favorite!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Notes
Prepare the Chicken
Start by patting your chicken tenders dry with paper towels. This removes excess moisture and helps the coating stick better. If you’re using chicken breasts instead of pre-cut tenders, slice them into even strips about 1-inch wide.
Create the Coating
In a shallow bowl, mix the flour with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with a splash of water. This will be your dredging station for perfectly coated tenders.
Bread the Chicken
Dip each tender into the flour mixture first, then into the beaten egg, and back into the flour for a second coating. This double-dredge technique creates an extra-crispy exterior that stands up to the buffalo sauce without getting soggy.
Air Fry to Perfection
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray, then arrange the coated tenders in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch. Air fry for 5-6 minutes, flip, then cook another 5-6 minutes until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Add the Buffalo Sauce
In a large bowl, mix melted butter with buffalo sauce. When the tenders are done, immediately toss them in the sauce until evenly coated. For extra-saucy air fried buffalo chicken tenders, double-dip them after the first coating has set for about a minute.
Pro Tips for Making This buffalo chicken tenders air fryer
Don’t overcrowd your air fryer basket! This is the number one mistake I see people make. If the tenders are touching or overlapping, they’ll steam instead of getting crispy. I always cook these in batches if I’m making them for all five of us.
My Secret Trick: Spritz your breaded tenders with a little cooking oil spray right before air frying. This helps them develop that gorgeous golden-brown color and crispy texture that makes these buffalo chicken tenders irresistible.
For the juiciest results, let your chicken come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before cooking. I learned this the hard way after years of cooking straight-from-the-fridge chicken that ended up dry on the outside and undercooked inside.
If you’re feeding spice-sensitive eaters like my son Jake, mix the buffalo sauce with a bit of honey or ranch dressing to tone down the heat. You’ll still get that classic buffalo flavor without setting anyone’s mouth on fire!
Fun Variations for buffalo chicken tenders air fryer
Family-Friendly Adaptations
For a milder version that even spice-shy kids will love, try my “Buffalo-Lite” approach. I coat the air fryer buffalo chicken strips in the sauce separately for each family member. Lily (my adventurous 8-year-old) gets the full-strength sauce, while Jake gets his tossed in a mixture that’s half buffalo sauce, half honey BBQ.
Flavor Boosters
Add a tablespoon of ranch seasoning mix to your flour coating for a tangy twist that complements the buffalo flavor perfectly. My dental office coworkers went crazy for these when I brought them to our holiday potluck last year!
Keto-Friendly Option
Replace the flour with a mixture of almond flour and grated parmesan for a low-carb version – or switch it up completely with these ground chicken nuggets in the air fryer for a fun twist on chicken night.
Pretzel-Crusted Buffalo Tenders
For extra crunch, crush some pretzels in your food processor and mix them into your flour coating. The salty pretzel bits create an amazing texture contrast with the spicy buffalo sauce. Emma’s friends request these every time they come over for movie night!
What to Serve With buffalo chicken tenders air fryer
These buffalo chicken tenders air fryer are absolutely perfect with a side of homemade ranch or blue cheese dressing and plenty of crisp celery sticks. The cool, creamy dip helps balance the spiciness, while the celery adds that traditional buffalo wing accompaniment.
For a complete meal, I often serve these air fryer buffalo chicken strips with a simple side salad tossed in ranch dressing. It takes just two minutes to throw together while the chicken cooks, and the fresh vegetables provide a nice contrast to the spicy tenders.
Sweet potato fries make another fantastic pairing! The slight sweetness complements the tangy buffalo sauce beautifully. I sometimes swap them for air fryer smashed potatoes golden, crispy, and just as satisfying. I use my air fryer to make both – just cook the side first, then keep it warm in the oven while you make the chicken.
When we’re hosting game day gatherings, I set up a DIY buffalo chicken tender bar with different dipping sauces (ranch, blue cheese, honey mustard), veggie sticks, and some quick air-fried potato wedges. It’s always a crowd-pleaser, and everyone can customize their plate!
How to Store Buffalo chicken tenders air fryer
These buffalo chicken tenders store beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I like to separate layers with parchment paper to keep them from sticking together. David often takes the leftovers for lunch the next day, and he says they’re just as good!
For reheating, nothing beats using the air fryer again! Just 2-3 minutes at 350°F brings these buffalo chicken tenders air fryer back to crispy perfection. Avoid the microwave if possible – it makes them soggy and ruins the wonderful texture we worked so hard to achieve.
If you want to freeze extras, place the cooked (but unsauced) tenders on a baking sheet in the freezer until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, air fry from frozen at 380°F for about 6-8 minutes, then toss in fresh buffalo sauce.
Nutritional Benefits Buffalo chicken tenders air fryer
These buffalo chicken tenders air fryer offer a protein-packed meal with significantly less fat than traditional deep-fried versions. The air fryer requires minimal oil while still delivering that satisfying crunch. Plus, you can control the quality of ingredients and sodium content, making this a healthier alternative that doesn’t sacrifice flavor – perfect for keeping my active Colorado family fueled for mountain adventures!
FAQs
How to air fry buffalo chicken strips?
Coat chicken strips in seasoned flour, dip in egg, then flour again. Air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. Toss in buffalo sauce. For extra crispiness, spray with oil before cooking and don’t overcrowd your basket!
How long to air fry buffalo?
Buffalo chicken tenders air fryer need about 10-12 minutes total at 400°F. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on tender thickness and air fryer model.
Use frozen or raw tenders for Buffalo chicken tenders air fryer?
Raw tenders work best for buffalo chicken tenders air fryer recipes! They cook more evenly and absorb flavors better. If using frozen, thaw completely before breading. In a pinch, increase cooking time by 3-4 minutes if using frozen, but expect less crispy results.
How to adjust the heat level of air fryer buffalo tenders?
Mix Frank’s RedHot with butter in equal parts for medium heat. For milder tenders, use more butter or mix in BBQ sauce or honey. For extra spicy buffalo chicken tenders, add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the flour mixture before air frying.
Conclusion
Buffalo chicken tenders air fryer recipes like this one prove that delicious, restaurant-quality food doesn’t have to be complicated or unhealthy. This has become one of our family’s most-requested meals – even on our busiest nights, I can have these on the table in under 20 minutes with minimal cleanup afterward. The combination of crispy coating, juicy chicken, and that perfect buffalo sauce kick makes these tenders irresistible. Whether you’re feeding picky kids, hosting a game day gathering, or just craving something satisfying after a long day, you could also try my chicken sausage air fryer it’s another go-to meal when time is tight.