I absolutely love this Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe because it perfectly combines crispy, flavorful chicken with a sweet yet spicy glaze that really wakes up your taste buds. The way the cornflake crust crisps up in the air fryer is just magic-you get that satisfying crunch without deep frying, which means less mess and way less oil. Trust me, once you try this, it’s going to become a staple for quick weeknight dinners or even game day snacks.
When I first tried this recipe, I was blown away by how simple it was to throw together yet it tasted like you spent hours in the kitchen. Plus, the hot honey drizzle adds this beautiful kick of heat balanced with mellow sweetness that everyone in my family goes crazy for. If you like a little zip with your chicken and want a recipe that s foolproof and fast, you re going to want to bookmark this Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe for sure.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy Without Deep Fryer: The air fryer makes these tenders golden and crunchy without all the oil mess.
- Perfect Balance of Heat and Sweet: The hot honey drizzle gives just the right amount of spice and sweetness every single time.
- Quick and Easy Prep: From coat to cook, these come together in under 35 minutes-awesome for busy evenings.
- Family Favorite: Every time I make this, it disappears fast-kids and adults alike can t get enough.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe come together beautifully to deliver bold flavor and mouthwatering crunch. Some pantry staples will help you whip this up without running all over town.
- Chicken breasts: Use large, boneless, skinless breasts sliced into strips; fresh or thawed well for the best texture.
- Egg: This creates the perfect glue for the cornflake coating; a splash of water helps it spread easily.
- Cornflake cereal: Crushing these gives that unbeatable crunch; crushing by hand or in a food processor is fine.
- Kosher salt: Seasoning is key here, and kosher salt adds clean flavor.
- Black pepper: Fresh cracked if possible for added zing.
- Smoked paprika: Adds warmth and subtle smokiness to the crust.
- Cayenne pepper: Just enough heat to balance the honey s sweetness.
- Dried thyme: For a hint of earthiness.
- Onion powder: Builds savory depth.
- Garlic powder: Boosts that classic flavor combo everyone loves.
- Unsalted butter: For making the luscious hot honey sauce.
- Honey: Use pure honey for that natural sweetness.
- Hot sauce: Pick your favorite brand to tailor the heat level exactly to your liking.
- Cooking oil spray: Avocado oil spray works great in the air fryer for crisping without sogginess.
- Fresh parsley: Optional garnish that brightens up the plate and flavor.
Variations
I love how versatile this Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe is, and I encourage you to tweak it based on what you have on hand or your family s spice tolerance. Feel free to elevate or ease back on the heat, or even make it gluten-free by swapping the cornflakes with gluten-free crumbs.
- Gluten-Free Version: I swapped cornflake crumbs for crushed gluten-free cereal once, and it turned out just as crispy and delicious.
- Mild Option: Cut back on cayenne and hot sauce for kid-friendly tenders that still have loads of flavor.
- Extra Crunch: Adding panko crumbs mixed with cornflakes made the tenders even crunchier for a special treat.
- Spicy Honey Variations: I sometimes experiment with sriracha or chipotle hot sauce in the honey to change the flavor profile.
How to Make Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Breading Station
Start by crushing your cornflakes until they resemble coarse crumbs-you can toss them in a zip-top bag and give it a good roll with a rolling pin or even use an empty skillet. Next, whisk together your egg and a splash of water in a shallow bowl to create a smooth egg wash. Then, mix the crushed cornflakes with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, cayenne, thyme, onion powder, and garlic powder in another bowl. Setting these up side-by-side makes the breading process go super fast and mess-free.
Step 2: Coat the Chicken Tenders
Dip each chicken strip first into the egg wash, letting the excess drip off, then transfer it to the cornflake mixture. Pat the crumbs onto the chicken, making sure every side is covered completely. This patting step is the secret I discovered that really helps keep the coating stuck and crunchy after air frying. Once breaded, place all tenders on a plate or baking sheet-you’re almost ready to cook!
Step 3: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection
Before placing the tenders in the air fryer basket, give it a quick spritz with avocado oil spray; this helps the outside crisp up beautifully. Arrange the chicken in a single layer with a little room between each piece so the hot air can circulate freely-crowding will cause sogginess, a mistake I learned to avoid the hard way! Air fry at 400°F for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Your chicken is done when it s golden and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Step 4: Whip Up The Hot Honey Sauce
While your chicken is cooking, melt unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add honey and your hot sauce choice, stirring until the sauce is smooth and warmed through-just a couple of minutes. This warm, spicy-sweet drizzle is the finishing touch that takes the tenders from great to unforgettable.
Step 5: Drizzle, Garnish, and Serve
Lay your cooked chicken tenders on a serving platter, drizzle generously with the hot honey sauce, and sprinkle with fresh minced parsley for a pop of color and freshness. If you like, serve with a side of ranch or your favorite dipping sauce to cool down the heat. Get ready to enjoy some serious flavor and crunch!
Pro Tips for Making Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Even Coat for Crunch: Pat the cornflake crumbs firmly onto each piece instead of just tossing them-you ll see a huge difference in how crispy the coating gets.
- Don t Crowd the Basket: Air fry in batches if needed; giving air room is key to avoiding soggy tenders.
- Personalize the Heat: Adjust the hot sauce in the honey glaze to fit your family s spice tolerance; this recipe plays well with any brand.
- Check Internal Temp: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F for safe and juicy results every time.
How to Serve Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top my tenders with freshly minced parsley because it adds a vibrant splash of green and a little brightness that cuts through the richness. Sometimes, I like to add a sprinkle of chili flakes on top if we re feeling extra spicy. A wedge of lemon on the side can also brighten things up nicely if you want an occasional citrus zing.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides with this Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe are crispy oven-baked fries or a simple mixed green salad. Roasted veggies like Brussels sprouts or green beans pair wonderfully, too. For a fun twist, creamy mac and cheese or coleslaw brings a lovely, comforting contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I ve served these tenders on skewers with little ramekins of the hot honey sauce and ranch for dipping-it s super cute and makes sharing a breeze. You can also turn this recipe into sliders by adding the tenders to mini buns with pickles and slaw. Trust me, everyone will be impressed!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I keep leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the fridge where they stay good for up to 3 days. Keeping them separate from the hot honey sauce until reheating helps maintain their crispiness.
Freezing
I ve frozen these chicken tenders before by flash-freezing them on a baking sheet and then transferring to a freezer bag. When you want to enjoy them, just air fry straight from frozen-adding a couple extra minutes to the cooking time-and they come out just as crispy.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop the tenders back into the air fryer at 375°F for about 4-5 minutes. This revives the crispy crust much better than the microwave, which can make them soggy. Then, drizzle fresh hot honey sauce over before serving to brighten the flavors.
FAQs
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Can I use store-bought hot honey instead of making the sauce?
Absolutely! Using store-bought hot honey works great and saves time. Just skip the honey sauce step and drizzle your favorite brand of hot honey over the chicken tenders when they re done.
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What if I don’t have an air fryer-can I bake these instead?
Yes! Preheat your oven to 400°F and place the breaded chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet, or on parchment paper. Bake for 20-23 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cooked through.
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How spicy is this Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe?
The heat level can easily be adjusted based on the hot sauce you use and how much cayenne you add in the coating. It has a nice kick but isn t overly spicy-perfect for those who enjoy balanced heat.
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Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Definitely! Swap out the cornflake crumbs for certified gluten-free crushed cereal or gluten-free panko to keep the crispy texture without gluten.
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How do I know when the chicken is done?
The safest method is to use a meat thermometer-chicken tenders are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. They should also be golden brown and no longer pink inside.
Final Thoughts
This Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe is one of those meals I keep coming back to because it hits all the right notes-crispy, flavorful, sweet, and spicy-all without breaking the bank or spending hours in the kitchen. I hope you give it a try and make it your own, sharing it with your family or friends for those moments when you want a little comfort and a lot of yum. Once you do, I bet it ll become one of your favorites too!
Print
Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 10 chicken tenders (serves 4-5)
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
Crispy and flavorful hot honey chicken tenders made in the air fryer for a quick and delicious meal. Tender chicken strips are coated in a crunchy cornflake breading, air fried to golden perfection, and drizzled with a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce. A perfect balance of heat and sweetness, these chicken tenders are great for snacking, lunch, or dinner and can be served with ranch for dipping.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
Egg wash
- 1 large egg
- 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
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 – 4 Tbsp hot sauce (your favorite brand)
Miscellaneous
- Cooking oil spray (preferably avocado oil) for the air fryer
- Minced fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Crush 2 cups of cornflake cereal using a rolling pin or food processor until it forms crumbs. Line up two shallow bowls and an empty plate or baking sheet. In one bowl, whisk together 1 egg and a splash of water to create an egg wash. In the second bowl, combine crushed cornflakes with 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, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Stir to combine.
- Bread Chicken: Dip each chicken tender into the egg wash, coating all sides and letting excess drip off. Then press the chicken into the cornflake mixture to coat thoroughly. Place the breaded tenders on the prepared plate. Repeat for all chicken strips.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F and allow it to preheat while preparing the chicken.
- Air Fry Chicken: Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil spray. Arrange 4-5 chicken tenders in the basket in a single layer, leaving space for air circulation. Spray the tenders lightly with oil spray. Air fry for 8-10 minutes or until chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Cook in multiple batches if needed.
- Make Hot Honey Sauce: While the chicken cooks, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, stir in 1/4 cup honey and 3-4 tablespoons hot sauce. Let the sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Drizzle and Serve: Once the chicken tenders are cooked, drizzle them generously with the hot honey sauce. Garnish with minced fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately with ranch dressing on the side for dipping to balance the heat.
Notes
- This recipe yields approximately 10 chicken tenders, serving 4-5 people.
- You can substitute the homemade hot honey sauce by using store-bought hot honey and omit making the sauce.
- Oven method: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place breaded chicken tenders on a wire rack over a baking sheet or on parchment paper. Bake for 20-23 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Use avocado oil spray or any other neutral oil spray for best air frying results.
- Ensure chicken pieces are not crowded in the air fryer to allow even cooking and crisping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 chicken tenders with sauce
- Calories: 502
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 1714 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 81 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 107 mg
