Description

Crispy, spicy, and sweet, these Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are an irresistible combination of crunchy cornflake breading and a sticky hot honey drizzle. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or game day snack, this recipe uses an air fryer to achieve golden brown chicken tenders with less oil and fuss. The hot honey sauce adds a flavorful kick balanced by a touch of sweetness, making these tenders a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Chicken

2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips

Egg Wash

1 large egg
a splash of water

Cornflake Breading

2 cups crushed cornflake cereal
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Hot Honey Sauce

2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup honey
3 - 4 Tbsp hot sauce (your favorite brand)

Miscellaneous

Cooking oil spray (avocado oil preferred) for air fryer
Minced fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Prepare Cornflake Crumbs and Breading Mix: Place the cornflake cereal into a resealable plastic bag and crush it with a rolling pin or skillet, or pulse in a food processor until finely crumbed. In one shallow bowl, whisk together the egg with a splash of water until smooth. In another bowl, combine the crushed cornflakes, kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, onion powder, and garlic powder; stir well to combine.
Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to preheat at 400°F (204°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for cooking.
Bread the Chicken Tenders: Dip each chicken tender into the egg wash, coating all sides and letting excess drip off. Then press the chicken into the seasoned cornflake crumbs, making sure all sides are thoroughly coated. Place the breaded tenders on a plate or baking sheet as you go.
Air Fry the Chicken: Spray the air fryer basket lightly with avocado oil spray. Place 4-5 chicken tenders in the basket, leaving space between each for even air circulation. Spray the tops of the tenders lightly with oil spray. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Repeat for additional batches as needed.
Make Hot Honey Sauce: While the chicken cooks, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add honey and hot sauce, stirring to combine. Allow to simmer gently for 1-2 minutes to meld the flavors together.
Drizzle and Serve: Remove cooked chicken tenders from the air fryer and drizzle generously with the hot honey sauce. Garnish with minced fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately. For an extra touch, offer ranch dressing on the side to cool down the heat.

Notes

This recipe yields approximately 10 chicken tenders, which serves about 4-5 people.
Store-bought hot honey can be substituted for the homemade hot honey sauce; simply omit the butter, honey, and hot sauce ingredients and use your favorite hot honey brand directly on the tenders.
If you do not have an air fryer, you can bake the breaded tenders in a 400°F oven for 20-23 minutes, turning once halfway through.
Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air flow and even crisping of the chicken tenders.
Use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure chicken is safely cooked to 165°F internal temperature.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 chicken tenders
Calories: 320
Sugar: 9g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 95mg