Oh my gosh, you’ve got to try these air fryer honey BBQ chicken tenders! They’re crispy, sticky, and just packed with sweet BBQ flavor. Plus, they’re way easier than deep frying!
I made a batch last weekend, and wow, they turned out so good. The honey BBQ glaze gets all caramelized in the air fryer, and the chicken stays juicy and tender. Trust me, these are a total game-changer for dinner or game night snacks.
If you love finger-licking BBQ and easy meals, this one’s for you. The air fryer makes them perfectly crispy without the mess of oil. They’re sweet, smoky, and oh-so-good.
So let’s grab some chicken tenders and honey BBQ sauce. I’ll show you how to whip up these crispy, sticky chicken tenders in the air fryer. They’re gonna be your new favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy without Frying: Air frying gives these tenders a golden, crunchy coating while keeping the inside juicy. The air fryer circulates hot air around the chicken, so it crisps up like deep-frying but uses little to no oil.
- Rich Sweet-Smoky Flavor: The honey BBQ glaze has layers of sweetness from the honey and depth from the BBQ sauce. It clings to the tenders, giving every bite a burst of flavor.
- Quick and Simple: You’ll need just around 35 minutes, from prep to plate. Plus, the ingredients are pantry staples, so no fancy shopping trips needed.
What You Need to Know Before You Start
- Prep Time: 20 minutes – includes breading the tenders and mixing the sauce.
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes in the air fryer. You might need to cook in batches, depending on your air fryer size.
- Total Time: Around 35 minutes from start to finish.
- Servings: About 12 tenders, serving 4 people.
- Difficulty Level: Beginner-friendly. If you can bread chicken and use an air fryer, you’ve got this.
Required Kitchen Tools
- Air Fryer: Any size works, though basket-style air fryers make it easy to flip the tenders halfway through cooking.
- Mixing Bowls: You’ll need three shallow bowls or plates for the dredging process – one for flour, one for eggs, one for breadcrumbs.
- Small Saucepan: For gently warming the honey BBQ glaze.
- Tongs or Fork: For dipping the chicken into the coatings without messy fingers.
- Basting Brush (Optional): Helps evenly coat the chicken with the glaze after air frying.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders
These tenders use everyday ingredients to create that perfect flavor and texture. Exact amounts will be in the recipe card later.
- Chicken Tenders: Fresh or frozen (thawed). You can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base layer that helps the egg and breadcrumbs stick. Seasoned lightly with salt and pepper for flavor.
- Eggs: Whisked until smooth. This step is key to ensuring the breadcrumbs cling to the chicken.
- Breadcrumbs: Regular or panko work well. Panko breadcrumbs make the coating extra crunchy.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to flavor both the flour and the breadcrumbs.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: Add savory depth to the breading. These are simple pantry spices that bring great flavor.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a hint of smokiness and color to the tenders.
- BBQ Sauce: Choose your favorite brand or make your own. Look for one with a balance of smoky, sweet, and tangy notes.
- Honey: Natural sweetness that balances the BBQ sauce’s tang and spice.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: A touch of acidity that brightens the glaze and balances the flavors.
Variations for Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders
- Add a Spicy Kick: Mix in cayenne pepper or hot sauce with the glaze for a little heat.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and a gluten-free flour blend. The texture may change slightly, but the flavor will stay amazing.
- Swap the Sauce: Instead of honey BBQ, try tossing the tenders in a teriyaki sauce, buffalo sauce, or a homemade honey mustard glaze.
- Make It Extra Crunchy: For an even thicker crust, dip the tenders back into the egg and breadcrumbs before air frying.
How to Make Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders – Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Ingredients
Start by gathering everything you need. Lay out the chicken tenders, flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs in separate shallow bowls or plates. Season the flour with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika to the breadcrumbs for extra flavor. Whisk the eggs until smooth.
2. Dredge the Chicken
Coat each chicken tender first in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the beaten egg, letting any extra drip off. Finally, press it into the seasoned breadcrumbs until fully coated. Repeat for all tenders, placing them on a clean plate as you go.
3. Preheat the Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for about 3-5 minutes. This step ensures a crispy exterior on the tenders.
4. Air Fry the Chicken Tenders
Place the breaded tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding – work in batches if needed. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, then flip and cook for another 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
5. Make the Honey BBQ Glaze
While the chicken is cooking, combine the BBQ sauce, honey, and apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir gently and let it warm through, blending into a smooth, glossy sauce. Taste and adjust sweetness or tang as needed.
6. Coat the Tenders
Once the tenders are done, use a basting brush or tongs to toss them in the warm honey BBQ sauce. For a deeper flavor, you can also return the coated tenders to the air fryer for an extra minute to help the glaze set.
Serving and Decoration
- Presentation: Serve the tenders on a platter, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for color, or a few lemon wedges for a hint of brightness.
- Accompaniments: These tenders pair beautifully with classic sides like coleslaw, corn on the cob, or a crisp green salad. For dipping, offer extra honey BBQ sauce or a creamy ranch dressing on the side.
- Family Style: Great for a casual family dinner or a game-day platter, these tenders are easy to pick up and enjoy.
Storing Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders
- Refrigeration: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 4-5 minutes to regain crispiness, or warm gently in a microwave for a softer texture.
- Freezing: You can freeze the breaded, uncooked tenders for up to 2 months. Freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. Air fry directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Tips and Tricks for Success
- Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: Give the tenders space to cook evenly. If you crowd them, they might steam instead of crisp.
- Use Panko Breadcrumbs: For extra crunch, panko works beautifully compared to regular breadcrumbs.
- Warm the Glaze Gently: Keep the honey BBQ sauce over low heat so it doesn’t scorch or thicken too much.
- Double the Batch: If you’re cooking for a crowd, double the ingredients and work in batches. This recipe scales up easily.
- Test the Internal Temperature: For safety and the best texture, check that the thickest part of the tenders reaches 165°F (74°C).
Nutrition Information
Here’s a simple nutritional breakdown for one serving (about 3 tenders with sauce):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~320 kcal |
| Protein | ~28g |
| Carbohydrates | ~28g |
| Total Fat | ~14g |
| Saturated Fat | ~3g |
| Cholesterol | ~90mg |
| Sodium | ~520mg |
| Fiber | ~1g |
| Sugars | ~10g (from honey) |
Air Fryer Honey Bbq Chicken Tenders
Course: Chicken Recipes12
tenders20
minutes12
minutes320
kcalIngredients
1½ pounds chicken tenders (or chicken breasts cut into strips)
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup breadcrumbs (panko preferred)
Salt and pepper, to taste
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ cup BBQ sauce
¼ cup honey
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Directions
- Prep: Set up three shallow bowls – flour seasoned with salt and pepper, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- Dredge: Coat each tender in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. Place on a plate.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Heat to 400°F (200°C).
- Air Fry: Arrange tenders in the basket. Cook for 6-8 minutes, flip, and cook 6-8 minutes more until golden and cooked through.
- Glaze: In a saucepan, warm BBQ sauce, honey, and vinegar over low heat. Brush or toss the cooked tenders in the sauce.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley or lemon wedges, and serve with extra sauce or ranch dressing.
Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders FAQs
Q: Can I make this with frozen chicken tenders?
A: Yes, just thaw them completely before breading for even cooking.
Q: What’s the best BBQ sauce to use?
A: Choose a sauce you enjoy. Smoky, sweet, or spicy all work well.
Q: How do I prevent the breading from falling off?
A: Press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken firmly and let the coated tenders rest for a few minutes before air frying.
Q: Can I bake these instead?
A: Yes! Bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Q: How long will leftovers last?
A: Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer for best texture.
Conclusion
I’ve used these simple pantry staples—chicken tenders, flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, seasonings, honey, BBQ sauce, and apple cider vinegar—to create a flavorful, easy, and healthier version of fried chicken tenders. The air fryer helps achieve a crispy crust, and the honey BBQ glaze makes them finger-licking good.