Crispy Panko Chicken Tenders (Printable)

Golden air-fried chicken tenders with seasoned panko and a spicy hot honey drizzle for crunch and sweetness.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 (e.g., Franks RedHot or Sriracha), to taste
14 - ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
02 - Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels and season evenly with kosher salt and black pepper.
03 - Arrange three shallow bowls: one with flour, the second with eggs whisked together with water, and the third with panko mixed with garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder.
04 - Dredge each tender first in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the egg mixture, and finally coat thoroughly with the seasoned panko.
05 - Lightly spray or brush both sides of the breaded tenders with olive oil or neutral oil spray to enhance crispiness.
06 - Place tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 7–8 minutes, flip, then continue cooking 6–7 minutes until golden and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
07 - In a small saucepan over low heat, gently warm honey with hot sauce and optional red pepper flakes, stirring until combined without boiling.
08 - Remove tenders and immediately drizzle with hot honey. Offer additional hot honey alongside as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Air fryer does the heavy lifting with zero guilt, no deep-frying mess, just golden-brown perfection.
  • The hot honey drizzle is addictive enough that people will ask for seconds before finishing their first bite.
  • Takes thirty minutes total, so weeknight dinner becomes something special without stress.
02 -
  • Patting the chicken dry is non-negotiable—moisture is the enemy of crispness, and those few seconds with paper towels make the difference between good and unforgettable.
  • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket; cramped chicken steams instead of crisps, and there's no coming back from that.
  • The hot honey must be warm but not hot when it hits the tenders; it should drizzle smoothly, not run off, and cool slightly as it sets on the warm chicken.
03 -
  • Invest in a meat thermometer—it removes all guessing and guarantees juicy chicken every single time, no overdrying.
  • Hot sauce brands vary dramatically in heat and flavor; taste your honey mixture before committing, starting with half the suggested sauce and building up.
Go Back