Sometime life gets so busy that you need to turn to a bag of frozen chicken just to get dinner on the table fast. This recipe for Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Fingers results in perfectly cooked chicken that can be served plain or with ketchup for an easy dinner.

Dipping an air fryer chicken finger in ketchup.

Air Fried Frozen Chicken Strips

If you need a quick and easy dinner recipe, consider purchasing frozen breaded chicken strips (also called chicken fingers). Then, simply use your air fryer to heat them up.

On a busy weeknight, this is a much more cost effective option than take-out. Buy a quality brand like Applegate Farms to control the type and quality of the ingredients.

You don’t need any additional oil for this recipe – just frozen chicken fingers and an air fryer. It’s just that simple.

  • You get all the crispiness of fried chicken from your favorite fast food restaurant with much less oil. You can skip the deep fried chicken fingers with this healthy air fryer chicken tenders.
  • This recipe for Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Fingers is quick and easy. There’s absolutely no prep with the exception of taking the fingers out of the bag.
  • Gluten-free chicken fingers work too. If you have Celiac disease or gluten intolerance, there are several gluten free versions in the frozen foods aisle. Simply swap the regular ones out for them.

Ingredients

Frozen breaded chicken tenders on a plate
  • Frozen breaded chicken fingers is all you need for crispy chicken tenders. Quality brands are usually made with boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenders that have been breaded for you. Look for crispy chicken strips in the frozen section of your grocery store.
  • Serve your Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders with your favorite dipping sauces including mustard, honey mustard, ketchup, BBQ sauce, or whatever you or your kiddos like the most.
  • See the full recipe card below for suggested measurements and exact cooking times.

Recipe Steps

how to air fry chicken tenders

Step One

Lay the chicken fingers inside the air fryer basket in a single layer without overlapping them.

Step Two

Set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and set the cooking time to 10 minutes.

Step Three

After the 10 minutes is up, flip the fingers over and set the cook time for 2 more minutes.

Step Four

Use an instant-read thermometer or meat thermometer to make sure the chicken has reached an internal temp of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Let the chicken fingers cool for a few minutes before serving hot with your favorite dipping sauce (see my list of the best gluten-free sauces). These air fryer chicken strips also go great with sweet potato fries!

I hope you agree that this recipe and method is the best way for a quick dinner. It’s an easy meal that even picky eaters like!

air fryer chicken tenders on a plate with ketchup and a fork

Recipe Tips

  • Some air fryers need to be preheated. Check the manufacturer instructions for your air fryer to be sure.
  • If you want to double this recipe, you may need to cook the chicken tenders in two batches so that they don’t overlap. This will depend on the size of your air fryer.
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. For best results, only cook as may as you can eat in one sitting.
  • For a complete meal, serve with a side salad, steam-in-the-bag vegetables, or French fries for a quick and easy side.

Recipe FAQs

Is it okay if the chicken fingers are different sizes?

Most bags of frozen chicken fingers will vary in size a bit. This is to be expected. It just means the smaller ones will be crispier and hotter.

Can I stack the chicken tenders to fit more in?

Do not stack the chicken fingers or they will not cook right. You want the hot air to circulate all around the chicken tenders so they will get crispy and cook all the way through.

How do I know if my chicken tenders are fully cooked?

Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check if you’re unsure whether it’s done.

cooked breaded chicken tenders inside air fryer basket

More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes You Might Like

Or, check out my entire index of gluten-free air fryer recipes.

Don’t Miss These Air Fryer Resources!

Air Fryer Versus Deep Fryer (Full Comparison)

45+ Healthy Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners

Air Fryer Pros and Cons

8 Air Fryers Under $100 (Reviewed)

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
air fryer chicken tenders

Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Fingers

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

Print Recipe

Sometime life gets so busy that you need to turn to a bag of frozen chicken just to get dinner on the table fast. This recipe for Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Fingers results in perfectly cooked chicken that can be served plain or with ketchup for an easy dinner.

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 frozen breaded chicken tenders, about an 8 ounce package (be sure to purchase a gluten-free version for gluten-free diets)

Instructions

  1. Lay the frozen chicken tenders inside the basket. Try not to let them overlap too much.
  2. Set the temperature to 400°F and the time to 10 minutes.
  3. After the 10 minutes is up, use tongs to flip the chicken tenders over and cook them for another 2 minutes.
  4. If you want to make sure the chicken is hot enough, use an instant-read thermometer to make sure the chicken has reached at least 165°F.
  5. Let the chicken tenders cool for a couple of minutes before serving hot.

Notes

  1. Some air fryers need to be preheated. Check the manufacturer instructions for your air fryer to be sure.
  2. If you want to double this recipe, you may need to cook the chicken tenders in two batches so that they don’t overlap.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 chicken tenders
  • Calories: 202
  • Sugar: 0.5 g
  • Sodium: 442.7 mg
  • Fat: 11.4 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12.5 g
  • Fiber: 1.4 g
  • Protein: 12.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30.2 mg

Don’t forget to join my newsletter list to get exclusive clean eating recipes and tips. The newsletter is 100% free with no spam; unsubscribe anytime.

About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and is a certified holistic nutritionist. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send her a message through her contact form.