Air Fryer Gluten-Free Chicken Tenders (Easy Recipe)

Crispy, juicy, and gluten-free, these air fryer chicken tenders are the perfect guilt-free comfort food. Quick, easy, and packed with flavor—your new go-to meal!

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I just want something crispy and comforting without having to commit to an entire production in the kitchen. Enter these Air Fryer Gluten-Free Chicken Tenders—they’re the perfect solution for when you want a little fried food action without the grease fest.

And the best part? You can whip them up in under 30 minutes! 

Whether you’re prepping a quick lunch, feeding a hungry crowd, or just craving something crunchy and satisfying, these tenders have got you covered.

Oh, and did I mention the air fryer magic? If you haven’t jumped on the air fryer bandwagon yet, let this recipe be your official invitation to the crispy side. 

The air fryer is like the kitchen BFF you never knew you needed—it gives you all the crunch and crispiness of deep-frying without the mess or oil overload. 

Trust me, once you make these tenders in the air fryer, you’ll never go back!

So grab your air fryer, your favorite dipping sauce, and let’s get this crispy party started! These air fryer gluten-free chicken nuggets are about to become your new obsession. 

Trust me, one bite and you’ll be wondering why you ever settled for soggy tenders again.

If you love chicken recipes you may also like to try my Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza Recipe or my Easy Teriyaki Chicken Breast In The Air Fryer.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE AIR FRYER GLUTEN-FREE CHICKEN TENDERS

• Crispy, Crunchy Goodness: Who says gluten-free can’t be delicious? These tenders are golden brown and perfectly crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. It’s everything you want in a chicken tender—without the gluten or the guilt!
• Healthy(ish) Fried Food? Yes, Please! Using the air fryer means you get all the deliciousness of fried chicken tenders, but with way less oil. So you can totally feel good about dunking these bad boys in your favorite dipping sauce.
• Easy, Quick, and No Fuss: In just 20 minutes, you’ll have a plate full of crispy chicken tenders that will have everyone asking for seconds. Whether you’re making them for yourself, your family, or a crowd, this recipe delivers every time.

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS YOU NEED FOR THE HOMEMADE CHICKEN TENDERS

You will need the following ingredients listed below to make these homemade chicken strips (the exact measurements, step-by-step instructions and full recipe are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post):

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Gluten-free breadcrumbs
• Gluten-free flour 
• Large eggs
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Sea salt
• Black pepper
• Olive oil spray 
• Favorite dipping sauce – such as honey mustard, buffalo sauce, barbecue sauce, etc.
• Optional – almond flour, hot sauce, pickle juice, parmesan cheese, etc.

HOW TO MAKE THE DELICIOUS CHICKEN TENDERS

1. In a shallow dish, mix together your gluten-free bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. This is where the crunch magic starts!
2. Crack the eggs into a separate bowl and whisk them up. This egg wash is what will help the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken, so don’t skip this step! And in a third bowl add the gluten-free flour.
3. Take each chicken tender, dip it in the gluten-free flour, then the egg wash, then coat it in your gluten-free breadcrumb mixture. Make sure it’s fully covered because we want that crunch all over.
4. Set your air fryer to 400 degrees F and let it preheat for about 3 minutes. Trust me, you want that fryer hot and ready to go for the crispiest results!
5. Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking, then place the chicken tenders in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd them—give each tender its space to shine! Spray the tops of the tenders with a little more oil for extra crispiness.
6. Cook the tenders at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. When they’re golden and crispy, they’re done! If you like them extra crispy (who doesn’t?), add an extra minute or two.
7. Plate up those crispy tenders and serve them with your favorite dipping sauce. Honey mustard? Ranch? BBQ sauce? The choice is yours! Either way, you’ll be living your best chicken tender life.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BEST RESULTS

• Don’t Skip the Flip! Flipping the tenders halfway through ensures they get crispy on both sides. Nobody likes a soggy bottom, right?
• Customize Your Coating: Want a little more flavor? Add some cayenne pepper for heat, Italian seasoning for a herby vibe, or even some grated Parmesan cheese for extra indulgence.
• Make It Dairy-Free: If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, just skip the Parmesan or swap in your favorite dairy-free alternative. The almond flour still keeps it nice and crispy!
• Freeze ‘Em: Got extras? These tenders freeze like a dream. Pop them in the freezer and reheat in the air fryer for an easy meal any day of the week.

STORING LEFTOVER CHICKEN PIECES

To store your leftover crispy air fryer chicken tenders, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. To keep them crispy when reheating, pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes, and they’ll be good as new! 

If you want to freeze them, just lay them flat on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll last up to 2 months—just reheat in the air fryer for that crispy crunch all over again.

FAQS

WHAT INTERNAL TEMPERATURE SHOULD THE CHICKEN REACH?

For perfectly cooked chicken tenders, make sure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they’re safe and juicy!

CAN I USE REGULAR FLOUR INSTEAD OF GLUTEN-FREE FLOUR?

If you’re not gluten-sensitive, you can use purpose flour instead of gluten-free. Just swap it in your breading station during the coating process.

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO REHEAT LEFTOVERS?

For the crispiest results, reheat your leftovers in a preheated air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. This will keep the chicken tenders crunchy and delicious!

WHAT CAN I SERVE WITH THIS AIR FRYER CHICKEN RECIPE FOR A COMPLETE MEAL?

These chicken tenders are perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or easy lunch. Serve them with a side of plantain chips, a fresh salad, or even some roasted veggies for a balanced meal!

Other Easy Air Fryer Recipes You May Like To Try!

• Frozen Curly Fries In The Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Tater Tots
• Easy Air Fryer Parmesan Truffle Fries
• Air Fryer Bacon
• Tortilla Pizza In The Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Steak French Fries
• Frozen Pickles In The Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
• Frozen Chicken Wings In The Air Fryer
• Crispy Buffalo Tofu In The Air Fryer
• Crispy Calamari
• Air Fryer Spicy Buffalo Chicken Tenders
• Air Fryer Chicken Sausage
• Tuna Melts In The Air Fryer

IF YOU TRIED THIS AIR FRYER CHICKEN TENDERS RECIPE PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT IN THE COMMENT SECTION AND STAR RATING. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN PIN THESE CRISPY GLUTEN FREE AIR FRYER CHICKEN TENDERS ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING @basicswithbails and #basicswithbails