Crispy Panko Chicken Tenders (Print View)

Air-fried chicken tenders with seasoned panko and a spicy hot honey drizzle for a crunchy, sweet finish.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken tenders
02 - 1 tsp kosher salt
03 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Dredging Station

04 - ½ cup all-purpose flour
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 2 tbsp water

→ Coating

07 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
08 - 1 tsp garlic powder
09 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
10 - ½ tsp onion powder
11 - 2 tbsp olive oil or neutral oil spray

→ Hot Honey

12 - ¼ cup honey
13 - 1–2 tsp hot sauce (such as Frank's RedHot or Sriracha), adjusted to taste
14 - ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
02 - Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels. Season evenly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
03 - Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, the second with whisked eggs and water, and the third with panko, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder combined.
04 - Coat each tender first in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into egg wash, and finally press thoroughly into the seasoned panko mixture.
05 - Lightly spray or brush both sides of the breaded tenders with olive oil or neutral oil.
06 - Place tenders in a single layer within the air fryer basket, working in batches if required.
07 - Cook for 7–8 minutes, flip tenders, then air-fry an additional 6–7 minutes until golden and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
08 - While chicken cooks, gently warm honey, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes together over low heat, stirring frequently until well combined; avoid boiling.
09 - Remove tenders from air fryer and immediately drizzle with hot honey. Serve any remaining hot honey on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The panko crust stays impossibly crispy without a drop of deep-frying oil.
  • Hot honey is addictive—that balance of sweet and spicy never gets old.
  • Ready in 30 minutes flat, which means weeknight dinner or quick meal prep that actually tastes incredible.
02 -
  • If your panko doesn't stick well, your chicken wasn't dry enough—moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
  • Don't skip the oil step; air frying without oil creates a pale, less appetizing crust even if the interior is cooked.
  • The hot honey should be warm but not hot enough to burn; low heat for just 2–3 minutes is all you need.
03 -
  • Make the hot honey ahead of time and store it in a small jar; it keeps in the fridge for weeks and is ready to drizzle whenever you need it.
  • If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake these at 220°C (425°F) on a lined baking sheet for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, though they won't be quite as crispy.
Return