Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

I absolutely love this Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe because it brings together the perfect balance of spicy heat and sweet honey in a super crispy, juicy bite. It s one of those recipes I turn to when I want something that feels special but still comes together quickly, especially for weeknights when time is tight but flavor can t be compromised.

When I first tried making these tenders, I was amazed at how the air fryer transformed them into crispy golden perfection without the mess of deep-frying. You’ll find that the hot honey drizzle takes it to a whole new level, making these tenders feel indulgent yet easy. Trust me, once you taste this combo, it s going to become a fast favorite in your rotation.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

All these ingredients come together to create a flavorful, crunchy coating and a vibrant hot honey glaze that really makes the chicken pop. Everything is easy to find at the grocery store, and you can tweak the spice levels to your liking.

• Chicken breasts: Choose fresh boneless, skinless breasts and slice them into tenders for even cooking.
• Egg: Acts as a binder to help the coating stick perfectly to each tender.
• Cornflake cereal: Gives an irresistible crunch and golden crust; crushing it yourself is super satisfying.
• Kosher salt: Essential for bringing out the flavors in the coating.
• Black pepper: Adds a warm, mild heat to balance the sweetness.
• Smoked paprika: Introduces a subtle smoky depth that’s absolutely irresistible.
• Cayenne pepper: Packs the spicy heat punch that makes the hot honey shine.
• Dried thyme, onion powder, garlic powder: Together, these layer in complex herb and savory notes.
• Unsalted butter: Creates a rich base for the hot honey sauce without overpowering it.
• Honey: Provides sweetness to soften the spice and caramelize slightly when warmed.
• Hot sauce: Use your favorite – I love one with a good vinegar bite to balance the honey.
• Cooking oil spray: I prefer avocado oil spray for crispiness and a neutral flavor.
• Fresh parsley (optional): Adds a touch of color and fresh herbal brightness as a garnish.

Variations

I love tweaking this Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe depending on my mood or what s in the pantry. Feel free to customize it-these tenders are a perfect canvas for flavor experiments!

• Spice it up: If you like it extra fiery, try adding a pinch of chipotle powder or swapping the cayenne for ghost pepper powder (use sparingly!).
• Gluten-free: Swap cornflakes for crushed gluten-free cereal or almond flour to keep it safe for gluten-sensitive folks.
• Swap the hot honey: If you can t make your own sauce, store-bought hot honey works great-you ll just skip the sauce step.
• Air fryer to oven: No air fryer? Bake the tenders in a preheated 400°F oven for 20-23 minutes instead, flipping halfway through.

How to Make Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Crush Your Cornflakes

Start by crushing your cornflake cereal into fine crumbs. I usually pop them into a resealable bag and roll over them with a rolling pin-that way, I get a great crunchy texture without turning it into dust. Alternatively, pulse in a food processor but be careful not to overdo it.

Step 2: Set Up Your Dredging Station

In one shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and a splash of water to make your egg wash; this helps the coating stick better. In another bowl, mix your crushed cornflakes with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, cayenne, thyme, onion, and garlic powder. This seasoning blend is what makes these tenders uniquely delicious.

Step 3: Bread the Chicken

Dip each chicken tender first into the egg wash, letting excess drip off, then press it into the cornflake mixture, making sure each piece is completely coated. This dual dip method guarantees a crisp, flavorful crust that has just the right amount of seasoning.

Step 4: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and lightly spray the basket with avocado oil spray. Place the tenders in a single layer without overcrowding-air needs to circulate for crispiness. Spray the tops lightly with oil as well, and air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Step 5: Whip Up That Hot Honey Sauce

While the chicken cooks, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, stir in honey and your favorite hot sauce. Let it simmer just a minute or two to meld those flavors – the smell alone is incredible! This sauce is the magic touch that makes this Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe stand out.

Step 6: Drizzle and Serve

Once your chicken tenders come out of the air fryer, immediately drizzle them with the hot honey sauce and sprinkle on some fresh parsley if you like a little color and freshness. I usually serve these with ranch or blue cheese dip to balance the heat, but you can skip it if you want to keep things spicy!

How to Serve Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

Garnishes

Fresh minced parsley is my go-to garnish here because it adds a burst of green color and a subtle herbal freshness that brightens everything up. Sometimes, I ll sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt after drizzling on the hot honey-those little crystals balance the sweetness spectacularly.

Side Dishes

I often serve these tenders with classic sides like crispy air fryer fries or a simple chopped salad to lighten things up. Roasted vegetables or even a creamy slaw with a bit of tang work beautifully too. My family especially loves pairing this dish with a bowl of ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun party appetizer, I ve served the tenders on skewers, drizzled with the hot honey sauce, and placed crowd-pleasing dipping sauces on the side. Another time, I layered them over garlic mashed potatoes for a cozy dinner twist that everyone devoured. Getting creative with presentation turns this easy recipe into an occasion-worthy dish!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To keep the coating from getting soggy, I usually wait to drizzle the hot honey sauce until right before serving leftovers. Separating the sauce helps maintain that crispy texture.

Freezing

I ve frozen uncooked breaded tenders on a baking sheet first, then transferred them to a freezer-safe bag. When you re ready to cook, pop them straight into the air fryer from frozen-just add a few minutes to the cooking time. This makes a perfect quick meal anytime.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer the air fryer or a hot oven to revive that crispy coating. Just 4-5 minutes at 375°F usually does the trick. Avoid the microwave if you can-things get soggy fast! Reheat the hot honey sauce separately, or drizzle it fresh after warming.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe is one of those dishes that really brings comfort and a touch of excitement to the dinner table. I love how easy it is to make but how utterly delicious it turns out-crispy, juicy, and bursting with flavor. If you re looking to impress your family or just treat yourself to something special on a busy night, this recipe is my go-to recommendation. Give it a try, and I promise it ll become a favorite you ll keep coming back to!

Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

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• Author: Nora
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 10 chicken tenders (serves 4-5)
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: American

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Description

Crispy and flavorful hot honey chicken tenders made in the air fryer with a crunchy cornflake breading and drizzled with a spicy sweet hot honey sauce. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal served with a fresh herb garnish and optional dipping sauce.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips

Egg wash

• 1 large egg
• splash of water

Cornflake breading

• 2 cups crushed cornflake cereal
• 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Hot honey sauce

• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3 – 4 Tbsp hot sauce (your favorite brand)

Miscellaneous ingredients

• Cooking oil spray (avocado oil recommended) for air fryer
• Minced fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the breading: Crush 2 cups of cornflake cereal using a rolling pin or food processor until fine crumbs form. In one shallow bowl, whisk together 1 large egg with a splash of water. In a second bowl, combine the crushed cornflakes with 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp onion powder, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder.
2. Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F and allow it to preheat while preparing the chicken.
3. Bread the chicken tenders: Dip each chicken strip first into the egg wash, coating all sides and letting excess drip off. Then press each piece firmly into the cornflake breading mixture until completely coated. Place breaded tenders onto a plate or baking sheet.
4. Air fry the chicken tenders: Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil spray. Arrange 4-5 chicken tenders in the basket making sure they do not overlap and there is space for air circulation. Spray the top of the tenders lightly with cooking spray. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping if needed, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Repeat for remaining batches.
5. Make the hot honey sauce: While the chicken cooks, melt 2 Tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 1/4 cup honey and 3-4 Tbsp of your favorite hot sauce. Let the sauce simmer gently for 1-2 minutes until well combined and slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
6. Serve: Drizzle the hot honey sauce liberally over the cooked chicken tenders. Garnish with minced fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot with optional ranch dressing for dipping to balance the heat.

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Notes

• This recipe yields approximately 10 chicken tenders, serving about 4-5 people.
• Store-bought hot honey can be substituted for the homemade hot honey sauce by omitting the butter, honey, and hot sauce ingredients and simply drizzling your favorite brand on the cooked tenders.
• To bake instead of air frying, preheat the oven to 400°F. Place breaded tenders on a wire rack over a baking sheet or on parchment paper and bake for 20-23 minutes, turning halfway through, until crispy and cooked through.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally for safety.
• Avocado oil spray is recommended for a healthy crispy finish but use any preferred cooking oil spray.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2 chicken tenders (about 120g)
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 540 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg