If you’re anything like me, you’ll agree there’s something irresistible about crispy chicken tenders—especially when they come with a sticky, sweet, and spicy drizzle. These Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken Tenders are everything I crave in a comfort meal: juicy on the inside, perfectly golden and crunchy on the outside, with a hot honey glaze that takes them over the top.
This is a recipe I’ve been making on repeat, whether it’s for a casual weeknight dinner, a game-day snack, or something fun for the kids (who devour them without question!). The best part? Thanks to my trusty air fryer, they turn out perfectly crispy without the need for deep frying. Healthier and less messy—yes, please!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✨ Crispy & Crunchy: Panko breadcrumbs give these tenders a satisfying crunch that rivals anything deep-fried.
✨ Juicy Chicken: Tenderloins stay juicy inside, and they cook up quickly in the air fryer.
✨ Hot Honey Magic: Sweet with a little kick, this homemade hot honey sauce adds flavor in every bite.
✨ Kid-Friendly: My niece calls these “fancy chicken nuggets,” and honestly? She’s not wrong!
✨ Versatile: Serve them as an appetizer, party snack, or stuffed inside a sandwich bun.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken Tenders:
- Chicken tenderloins – About 1.5 pounds. If you can’t find tenderloins, chicken breasts cut into strips work just as well!
- All-purpose flour – Helps the breading stick.
- Eggs – Acts as the glue between the flour and panko.
- Panko breadcrumbs – These make the coating extra crispy. If you’re out of panko, crushed Ritz crackers are a great swap!
- Seasonings:
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic powder
- Cooking spray – For a golden finish in the air fryer.
For the Hot Honey Sauce:
- Honey – Use your favorite! Local honey often has the best flavor.
- Butter – Just a little for richness.
- Spices:
- Smoked paprika
- Cayenne pepper (adjust to taste for more or less heat)
- Salt
- Cracked black pepper
Jenny’s Tips Before You Start
- No eggs? Use plain yogurt or melted butter instead to help the breadcrumbs stick.
- Want it spicier? Add more cayenne to the hot honey or a dash of chili flakes.
- Batch cooking: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed for that perfect crisp.
How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer
Step 1: Prep the Breading Stations
In three shallow bowls:
- Flour mixture: Combine flour, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Eggs: Beat two large eggs.
- Panko mixture: Mix panko breadcrumbs with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper.
Step 2: Bread the Chicken
- First, dredge each tenderloin in the flour mixture, coating well.
- Next, dip it in the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully covered.
- Finally, press it into the panko mixture, coating all sides. Gently press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken so they stick.
Step 3: Air Fry
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray and arrange the tenders in a single layer.
- Spritz the tops of the chicken tenders with cooking spray (this helps them crisp up).
- Air fry for 4 minutes, then flip them, spritz again, and cook another 4-5 minutes, or until they’re golden and cooked through (internal temp should reach 165°F).
How to Make the Hot Honey Sauce
- In a small saucepan over low heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Stir in ½ cup honey, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, a pinch of salt, and cracked black pepper to taste.
- Whisk until combined and warm.
- Drizzle generously over your crispy tenders or serve on the side as a dip!
Serving Ideas
- Pair them with a fresh salad or sweet potato fries for an easy meal.
- Slice them up and pop into wraps or chicken sandwiches.
- Perfect as a party appetizer, served with extra hot honey on the side!
How to Store & Reheat
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes until crispy again.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked tenders for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen at 400°F for about 10 minutes.
FAQs
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Use a gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free panko or crushed cornflakes.
Is there a dairy-free option?
You can skip the butter in the hot honey sauce and use olive oil instead. The flavor will still be delicious!
Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken Tenders are my absolute favorite when I’m craving something crispy, juicy, and with a little sweet-spicy kick! The chicken is coated in golden panko breadcrumbs for that perfect crunch, then drizzled with a homemade hot honey sauce that’s just the right balance of heat and sweetness. Best part? They’re made in the air fryer, so they’re healthier and super quick to whip up—perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners. Even my picky eaters at home devour these in no time!
Ingredients
For the Chicken Tenders:
- 1.5 lbs chicken tenderloins (or chicken breasts cut into strips)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp salt (divided)
- 1 tsp black pepper (divided)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Cooking spray
For the Hot Honey Sauce:
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tbsp butter
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- Pinch of salt
- Cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Prepare the breading stations:
- In bowl 1, mix flour, ½ tsp salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and ½ tsp black pepper.
- In bowl 2, beat the eggs.
- In bowl 3, combine panko breadcrumbs with remaining salt and pepper.
Bread the chicken tenders:
- Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, dip in the egg, then coat in the panko.
- Lightly press the panko onto each tender for an even coating.
Air fry:
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Arrange tenders in a single layer, spray with cooking spray.
- Air fry for 4 minutes, flip, spray again, and cook another 4-5 minutes until golden brown and internal temp reaches 165°F.
Make the hot honey sauce:
- Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat.
- Add honey, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth and heated through.
Serve:
- Drizzle hot honey over chicken tenders or serve as a dip on the side. Enjoy!
Notes
- Swap panko for crushed Ritz crackers if you don’t have any on hand.
- Adjust cayenne in the hot honey to your preferred spice level.
- For dairy-free, replace butter with olive oil in the sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
