Air Fryer Chicken Tenders & Honey Mustard Dip
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Dip offer a quick, healthier way to enjoy crispy, golden chicken tenders paired with a sweet and tangy dip. Ready in under 30 minutes, this family-friendly recipe uses an air fryer for a crunchy texture with less oil, making it perfect for snacks, weeknight dinners, or party appetizers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with substitutions)
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Tenders
- 1 lb fresh boneless, skinless chicken tenders
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Honey Mustard Dip
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
Instructions
- Prepare the Coating Stations: Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour mixed with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper; one with beaten eggs; and one with panko breadcrumbs combined with grated Parmesan cheese. This three-step breading process ensures maximum crispiness for your chicken tenders.
- Bread the Chicken Tenders: Dip each chicken tender first into the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip into the beaten eggs, followed by coating evenly with the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture. Press the crumbs gently onto the tenders to form an even crust.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes to ensure the tenders crisp up quickly and evenly.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Arrange the breaded tenders in a single layer inside the air fryer basket without overlapping. Cook at 400°F for 9-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the tenders are golden brown and cooked through.
- Whip Up the Honey Mustard Dip: In a small bowl, combine honey, Dijon mustard, and mayonnaise. Stir until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels before breading to help the coating adhere better.
- Choose tenders of uniform size for consistent cooking times.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary to ensure crispiness.
- Lightly spray the tenders with oil before cooking for a golden finish.
- Make the honey mustard dip ahead of time to allow flavors to meld.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-5 tenders
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, honey mustard dip, crispy chicken, healthy snacks, quick dinner, family-friendly, gluten free options