Crispy air fryer chicken tenders (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Hot Honey Sauce
01 -
1/2 cup runny honey
02 -
2 teaspoons Chiu Chow chilli oil
03 -
1 teaspoon Sriracha
04 -
1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
→ Cornflake Coating
05 -
4 cups cornflakes
06 -
2 tablespoons cornstarch
07 -
2 teaspoons smoked sweet paprika
08 -
1 teaspoon cayenne
09 -
1 teaspoon garlic powder
10 -
1 teaspoon salt
11 -
2 large eggs
12 -
3 tablespoons rapeseed oil or light olive oil
→ Chicken
13 -
1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders
# Instructions:
01 -
Mix the honey with chilli oil, Sriracha and a splash of apple cider vinegar in a small pot. Warm it gently over low heat, stirring until everything's well combined. Give it a taste - you want that perfect balance of sweet honey with a spicy kick.
02 -
Toss your cornflakes into a food processor with the cornstarch, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder and salt. Pulse until you get a rough breadcrumb texture - don't overdo it! Drizzle in the oil and pulse again briefly. Pour this mixture into a shallow dish.
03 -
Whisk a couple of eggs in a shallow bowl. Dip each chicken strip in the egg wash, making sure it's fully coated, then let any excess drip off. Press each piece firmly into the cornflake mixture, using a fork to help the coating stick all over.
04 -
Preheat your air fryer for 3 minutes at 375°F. Use liners or a rack sprayed with oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the chicken pieces with space between them and give them a light spray of oil too. Cook for about 5 minutes, flip them over, then another few minutes until they're golden and crispy. Check they're done with a thermometer - you want 167°F internal temperature.
05 -
You've got options! Either toss the chicken tenders in the warm honey sauce to coat them completely, or serve the sauce on the side for dipping. The second way lets everyone control how much spicy sweetness they want.
# Notes:
01 -
If you don't have Chiu Chow chilli oil, you can substitute with 2 teaspoons dried chilli flakes, 2 minced garlic cloves, and a tablespoon of butter or coconut oil.
02 -
Don't skip adding oil to the coating - it helps achieve that perfect crispiness!
03 -
Smaller chicken pieces will cook faster than larger chunks, so adjust your cooking time accordingly.
04 -
Air fryers vary in performance - use a meat thermometer for perfectly cooked chicken every time.