Sometimes I want crispy chicken tenders but feel guilty about deep-frying. These air-fried hot honey chicken tenders are crispy, flavorful, and easy to make. The secret to a crunchy exterior is using crushed corn flakes as the final coating.
Key to air fried crispy hot honey chicken tenders
Corn starch
After seasoning the chicken tenders, dust them lightly with corn starch. The corn starch helps the egg wash cling to the meat, which in turn helps the corn flake coating stick better for an even, crispy crust.
Corn flakes for hot honey chicken tenders
Corn flakes are an ideal breading for air-fried chicken because they’re already golden and crunchy, so you don’t have to overcook the chicken to get great color and texture. Crush the flakes into coarse pieces rather than a fine powder so they create visible, crunchy bits on the surface.
How to pack in the corn flake coating
- Crush enough corn flakes to fully coat all the chicken tenders.
- After dipping the tenders in the egg wash, place them into the crushed corn flakes and cover with more flakes.
- Using your hands, press and squeeze the flakes firmly onto the tenders, repeating 2–3 times until the chicken is fully covered and no meat is visible.
How to make hot honey
Hot honey is quick to make and requires no cooking. Whisk together honey, a hot sauce such as sriracha, and chili flakes to taste. Adjust the amounts to match your spice tolerance.
Hot Honey Chicken Tenders (Air Fried)
Ingredients
Chicken
- 12 chicken tenders
- ½ tbsp garlic powder
- ½ tbsp onion powder
- ½ tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp corn starch
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups crushed corn flakes
- spray oil
Hot honey
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp sriracha
- 1 tsp chili flakes
Instructions
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Pat 12 chicken tenders dry. If needed, slice chicken breasts into strips to make tenders.
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Season with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt.
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Lightly dust the seasoned tenders with corn starch.
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Whisk two large eggs in a bowl for the egg wash.
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Crush corn flakes into coarse pieces and place in a shallow bowl.
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Dip each tender into the egg wash, then press into the crushed corn flakes. Squeeze and press the flakes onto both sides several times to ensure a thick, even coating.
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Place the coated tenders in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Lightly spray with oil. Cook at 375°F for 10–13 minutes, flipping and spraying with more oil halfway through (around 6 minutes), until golden and cooked through.
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While the chicken cooks, whisk together ¼ cup honey, 2 tablespoons sriracha, and 1 teaspoon chili flakes to make the hot honey.
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When the tenders are done, glaze them with the hot honey and serve immediately.
Additional Info
If you enjoyed this recipe, try more air fryer recipes on the same site for additional inspiration.
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