This is how to cook crispy frozen chicken tenders in air fryer or Ninja Foodi! Way better than when you cook breaded frozen tenders in the oven. This is how to make them taste like they’re from a restaurant.
This easy air fryer recipe is probably by girls’ favorite snacks, or lunch. Now that they’re older they can make them by themselves. It’s so nice when they reach that age. 😉 Just preheat, pop as many in as they would each like and in just a few minutes it’s like eating at Chick Fil A but way cheaper.
Ninja Frozen Chicken Tenders
You are going to use a bag of breaded and frozen chicken tenders that has not been defrosted. Cook time below is accurate for meat right out of the freezer. Any brand works however for Ninja Foodi recipes you need to use the lid that is attached with the air crisp button.
There isn’t a necessity to add any seasonings if you don’t want however it will enhance the flavor if you do with some onion powder, Lawry’s seasoned salt or we love Old Bay. Forget about using the microwave anymore, that leaves these soft and limp. Now you can have them right at home without frying in oil.
We started with air fryer frozen chicken nuggets and I couldn’t believe the difference. I mean I had been making these for my 3 girls for years and years. Always thought “man I wish I could get them crunchy just like McDonalds nuggets” but there really wasn’t a way to do that back then.
Fast forward when my oldest became a teen and this magical hot air machine came out. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on one y’all. First time I tried it out I was in love. A quick cook time plus how crunchy the outsides got. I even ate them for lunch that day!
How Long to Cook Frozen Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer
Just check out the temp and timing on our air fryer cook times but for the breaded Applegate, Tyson and Perdue brands we tried they landed right at 8 minutes to cook with 5 minutes beyond that to sit in the machine, not bad! In that time you can get your dipping sauces ready for lunch. 😉
How Long to Cook Frozen Chicken Tenders No Breading
Frozen Chicken Tenderloins in Air Fryer is possible, you would want to follow this recipe for that one as they are quite different and require slightly different steps. I would highly suggest adding a sauce in this case so they don’t dry out. With breading that isn’t necessary.
Dipping Sauces
Of course you can use ketchup, but our favorite for chicken strips would be all of our Dipping Sauce for Chicken Wings choices here! Printable recipe card and nutritional information for this brand of tenders is below. That will vary with the size of each piece and/or brand used.
If you like quick and easy meals that get crispy, including Frozen Pot Pie in Air Fryer in the afternoon…this is the way to cook all the things! You will never go back to the oven again ever.
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders Recipe
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen chicken strips
- 1 pinch salt and pepper, to taste when done
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Lay frozen tenders in one layer, not overlapping, in basket and cook for 8 minutes. (timing will vary slightly depending on how large and thick your pieces are)
- When time is up leave them in the closed basket for 5 minutes so the middle can continue to heat up.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Other air fryer recipes you’ll love
If you want to make a low carb version, try our air fryer chicken tenders no breading recipe. These homemade Ninja foodi chicken tenders are great wrapped with bacon. They take 12 minutes to 14 minutes to cook with bread crumbs.
Then try crispy chicken legs in air fryer and air fryer frozen corn dogs next, your kids will love these too. We use this on our frozen chicken tenders Instant Pot pieces too.
I think I have to. Hear. It !!!!!!
Was what I was just looking for to finish a leftover bag from a local shop. Surprised it worked in the foodi grill
Lol no one cares what your kids like, just make with the recipe, hack.
This was not enough time for the Hy-Vee store brand chicken tenders we have; my guess is that they’re larger than the brand you used. It would be nice to see a guide based on approximate weight per piece. Thanks though, this was a great start for me!
Every brand will be slightly different. Even in the same bag there are smaller and larger pieces. Just use the temp and general timing and check, add more time for larger pieces and remove ones that are smaller a bit earlier.
They all tasted very good but I overdid mine. Again. I did them for a little longer instead of letting them sit with the cover down because I was in a hurry. I will try your method next time. I’m sure it would have worked out great.
Just received an air fryer as a gift. Anxious to try it with the frozen chicken strips I have on hand. Glad to have found your recipe!!
I used Blue and Gold Chicken Tenders and some of the pieces are a little oversized. I cooked at 400 with a 5 minute pre-heat. I cooked for 10 minutes!! PERFECT!!! Thanks for the air cooker advice!!
Tricia C
Oklahoma City
Yay!
This was very helpful! Thank you.
Found this by Googling and it was JUST RIGHT! Tasted like they were right out of a fryer from a restaurant.
Totally!! GAme changer