These Crispy hot honey chicken tenders in air fryer are just the perfect finger food. Both sweet and savory with a hint of spice makes these the best chicken strips you will ever make. Whether you make them super spicy or with a slight spicy kick, they are sure to be a crowd winner for the family. If you’re looking for other finger food recipes check out these garlic parmesan chicken skewers, air fryer chicken tenderloins or these chick fil a grilled nuggets.
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Hot Honey is the new condiment on the food scene and I see why it’s taken off. It’s so sinfully delicious and instantly turns any chicken into a delightful treat. These crispy hot honey breaded chicken tenders are the best way to enjoy this hot honey sauce. These juicy chicken tenders are cooked in the air fryer to a golden brown and then covered in spicy hot honey sauce.
HOW TO MAKE HOT HONEY SAUCE
For this recipe I made my own hot honey sauce however you can purchase this from your local grocery store. The one I see the most often is Mike’s hot honey however I’m sure there are other brands on the market. That said, it’s super simple to make your own spicy honey sauce with these simple ingredients:
- Honey – liquid honey will work best for this simple recipe
- Chili flakes – use a little or a lot, truly up to you in how spicy you want it to be
- Hot Sauce – gives the honey just that added kick in the background
- Red wine vinegar – really any vinegar will do, however this is what I had on hand. You only need a splash so apple cider vinegar or plain white vinegar will work as well
In a small saucepan bring to medium heat and pour in the honey and add the chili flakes, hot sauce and red wine vinegar. Stir to combine the sauce ingredients and bring to a slight bubble. Once the mixture comes to a bubble, reduce the heat and let simmer for 1 – 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside and allow to cool.
Full ingredients and amounts are listed below in the recipe card.
INGREDIENTS FOR HOT HONEY CHICKEN TENDERS IN AIR FRYER
Ingredients for these crispy chicken tenders are really simple as we use a lot of common ingredients and a few spice staples. What you will need to make these chicken fingers are:
- 1lb chicken tenders
- 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 Egg + 2 Egg whites
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Black pepper
- Salt
If you don’t have any of these already on hand you will just need to make a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up these items.
HOW TO MAKE CRISPY TENDERS
Although I am making these homemade chicken tenders in the air fryer, I still use the same breading process as if I were going to deep fry these. First, pull out two shallow bowls and place the panko bread crumbs in one dish and the whole egg plus egg white in another bowl. To the eggs add a few splashes of hot sauce and whisk until combined. Set both of these bowls aside.
Next, season the chicken tenders with the paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper and salt and a drizzle of olive oil. Mix to thoroughly coat the chicken in the spices. Now you are ready for the breading station.
Take one tender and place in the shallow bowl with the egg wash ensuring to coat both sides. Next dip in the panko breadcrubs generously coating both sides with the breadcrumbs. Set the breaded chicken tenders aside on a parchment-lined baking sheet or lined plate and repeat the process for the remaining chicken tenders.
Once done, place them on the air fryer rack in a single layer and spray with cooking spray to ensure a golden brown crust. Bake on 375 for approximately 10-12 minutes turning once halfway through the cooking process. You will know when the tenders are done once the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160 degrees f. Cook the chicken tenders in batches until done.
Once all of the chicken has been air fried, pour the delicious hot honey sauce over the top and allow to soak into the chicken.
HOW TO SERVE AIR FRYER HOT HONEY CHICKEN TENDERS
These delicious tenders can absolutely stand on their own if you wanted to serve as an afternoon snack or appetizer. However if you wanted to serve as a main meal or for meal prep, here are a few suggestions of my favorite side dishes:
- Sweet potato fries – whether store bought or homemade, these would make a great addition to these spicy flavors
- Mashed potato – this spicy sauce over the chicken would go so well with some creamy mashed potatoes
- Cauliflower rice – if you want to keep things on the low carb side, cauliflower rice is so versatile
These crispy hot honey chicken tenders in air fryer are sure to be a crowd pleaser with just the right amount of sweet plus heat to tempt your taste buds!
If you make this crispy hot honey chicken tenders in air fryer, feel free to leave a comment down below. Also, let’s stay in touch! Feel free to follow me on my social media as I share more healthy recipes, fitness workouts and motherhood. Give a follow at: Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest!
Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
- 2 Shallow Bowls
Ingredients
Hot Honey Sauce
- 1/3 cup Honey
- 1/4 tsp Chili Flakes
- 1/8 tsp Hot Sauce
- 2 splashes Vinegar
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- 1 lb Chicken Tenders
- 2 cups Panko Breadcrumbs
- 1 whole Egg
- 2 Egg Whites
- 1.5 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 4 splashes Hot Sauce
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
Instructions
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- First, pull out two shallow bowls and place the panko bread crumbs in one dish and the whole egg plus egg white in another bowl. To the eggs add a few splashes of hot sauce and whisk until combined. Set both of these bowls aside.
- Next, season the chicken tenders with the paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper and salt and a drizzle of olive oil. Mix to thoroughly coat the chicken in the spices.
- Take one tender and place in the shallow bowl with the egg wash ensuring to coat both sides. Next dip in the panko breadcrubs generously coating both sides with the breadcrumbs. Set the breaded chicken tenders aside on a parchment-lined baking sheet or lined plate and repeat the process for the remaining chicken tenders.
- Once done, place them on the air fryer rack in a single layer and spray with cooking spray to ensure a golden brown crust. Bake on 375 for approximately 10-12 minutes turning once halfway through the cooking process. You will know when the tenders are done once the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160 degrees f. Cook the chicken tenders in batches until done.
Hot Honey Sauce
- In a small saucepan bring to medium heat and pour in the honey and add the chili flakes, hot sauce and red wine vinegar. Stir to combine the sauce ingredients and bring to a slight bubble.
- Once the mixture comes to a bubble, reduce the heat and let simmer for 1 – 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside and allow to cool.
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