How Long to Cook Frozen Chicken Tenders in an Air Fryer?

Are you looking for an easy and quick way to make chicken tenders, then the air fryer is your answer! Cooking frozen chicken tenders in an air fryer is a great option that makes preparing a meal hassle-free.

However, do you know exactly how long to cook frozen chicken tenders in an air fryer? That’s exactly what we are going to cover in this blog post – keep reading through to the end so that you can learn all about the tips & tricks related to getting those crispy yet tender bites each time!

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Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders

Air fryer frozen chicken tenders are a popular snack or meal made by cooking frozen chicken tenders in an air fryer. Chicken tenders are small strips of chicken breast meat that are breaded and seasoned. They are often sold frozen, making them a convenient and quick option for cooking in an air fryer.

When cooking air fryer frozen chicken tenders, it is important to ensure they are fully cooked before consumption to avoid any risk of foodborne illness.

How Long to Cook Frozen Chicken Tenders in an Air Fryer?

The answer to the question of how long to cook frozen chicken tenders in an air fryer can vary depending on the brand and model of the air fryer and the size and thickness of the chicken tenders. As a general rule, you can cook frozen chicken tenders in an air fryer at 360°F for 10-12 minutes. However, it’s important to constantly check the internal temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached a safe temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) before consumption. 

If the chicken tenders are particularly thick, you may need to cook them for a few extra minutes. It’s also a good idea to flip the chicken tenders halfway through the cooking time to ensure they cook evenly on both sides.

The duration for cooking frozen chicken tenders in an air fryer can be influenced by factors such as the fryer’s size, the number of chicken tenders in the basket, and the cooking preferences of the user. If necessary, the user can shake the basket and continue cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until they achieve their desired level of crispiness. 

Another option is to increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) during the last 1-2 minutes for even more crispiness. However, it’s important to be cautious and avoid burning chicken tenders.

How to Cook Frozen Chicken Tenders in an Air Fryer?

Equipment

• Air fryer
• Meat thermometer

Ingredients for this recipe

• Frozen chicken tenders
• Cooking spray or oil

Instructions

Step 1: Wash the frozen chicken tenders and pat them dry with a paper towel.

Step 2: Spray or brush the chicken tenders with oil or cooking spray. This will help to create a crispier exterior when cooked in an air fryer.

Step 3: Preheat the air fryer to 360°F over a period of 3-5 minutes

Step 4: Place the frozen chicken tenders sprays air fryer basket in a single layer.  Do not overcrowd the basket – if necessary, cook the chicken tenders in batches.

Step 5: Place the basket in the air fryer and cook for 10-12 minutes at 360-400°F. Halfway through cooking, shake the basket and flip over each chicken tender to ensure they are cooking evenly on both sides.

Step 6: Check the internal temperature of the chicken tenders using a meat thermometer. The temperature should reach at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure that the chicken is cooked through and safe to eat.

Step 7: If you want your chicken tenders to be extra crispy, you can increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the last from 1 to 2 minutes of cooking time.

Step 8: Once the chicken tenders are done, remove them from the air fryer basket and let them cool for a minute before serving them.

Note: The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken tenders, as well as the model of your air fryer. Constantly ensure that the chicken is cooked through and safe to eat by checking its internal temperature.

FAQs

Can You Cook Frozen Chicken Tenderloins in An Air Fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen chicken tenderloins in an air fryer. In fact, using an air fryer is one of the best ways to cook frozen chicken tenderloins, as it can help to keep them crispy on the outside while remaining juicy and tender on the inside.

How Long Should I Put Chicken Tenders in The Air Fryer?

As a rough rule, you can cook frozen chicken tenders at 360°F (200°C) in the air fryer for around 10-12 minutes. It’s essential to check the chicken tenders from time to time to ensure they are cooking evenly and not getting overcooked

How Do I Know When My Air Fryer Chicken is Done?

To know when your air fryer chicken is done, you can check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer. The safe internal temperature for chicken is 165°F (74°C).

Do I Need To Flip The Chicken in The Air Fryer?

Yes, you should flip the chicken at least once during the cooking process in the air fryer to ensure that it cooks evenly on both sides.

Do You Need To Put Oil On The Chicken in Air Fryer?

It is not necessary to put oil on chicken when cooking in an air fryer. The purpose of the air fryer is to cook food using hot air circulation, which allows the food to become crispy without the need for excess oil.

Does Air Fryer Cook Chicken Faster Than Oven?

Yes, an air fryer generally cooks chicken faster than an oven. This is because the air fryer circulates hot air around the food, cooking it from all sides and creating a crisp exterior. The hot air in the air fryer also allows the chicken to cook more quickly and evenly compared to an oven, which may require preheating and longer cooking times.

Final Thought

To sum up, cooking frozen chicken tenders in an air fryer is a easy way to create a tasty chicken with a crispy outside and juicy inside as it just takes around 10-12 minutes without having to worry about the unhealthy oil-frying process. So next time you’re looking for a convenient dinner solution, turn to your air fryer and get creative with your favorite frozen chicken tenders to save yourself both time and calories.