Yes, you can absolutely air fry Tyson Crispy Chicken Tenders! Air frying is a quick and easy way to make crispy and delicious chicken tenders right at home. Air fryers use rapid air circulation technology to crisp up breaded foods like chicken tenders with little to no oil needed. Tyson Crispy Chicken Tenders are already fully cooked and breaded, so they are perfectly suited for the air fryer. Simply follow the instructions below to make crispy, crunchy chicken tenders with an air fried taste in just minutes.
Benefits of Air Frying Tyson Chicken Tenders
Here are some of the benefits of air frying Tyson chicken tenders versus other cooking methods:
- Crispy texture – The high heat and air flow in the air fryer will make the breading ultra crispy.
- Oil-free cooking – Air fryers require little to no oil to crisp up breaded foods.
- Quick cooking time – Tenders take only about 10 minutes in an air fryer.
- Even cooking – The hot air circulates around the tenders to cook them evenly.
- Easy cleanup – With minimal oil, there’s less mess to clean up afterwards.
Air frying provides a quick and convenient way to cook frozen chicken tenders with that satisfying crispy crunch without the fat and calories of deep frying.
How to Air Fry Tyson Crispy Chicken Tenders
Follow these simple steps for perfect air fried chicken tenders:
Ingredients:
- Tyson Crispy Chicken Tenders (frozen)
- Cooking spray or oil
- Seasonings of choice (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Spray or brush a little bit of oil on the chicken tenders to help them get crispy. You can also skip this step if your air fryer has a non-stick basket.
- Place the frozen chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them.
- Air fry for 5 minutes, then flip the tenders and air fry for an additional 5 minutes until crisped and heated through.
- Toss tenders with any seasonings if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket – this can prevent proper air circulation.
- Brush both sides of the tenders lightly with oil for extra crisping.
- Adjust cook times depending on the amount of tenders and your air fryer model.
- Use tongs to flip tenders halfway during cooking.
- Add any desired spices or sauces after air frying when tenders are crisped.
Best Air Fryer Settings for Tyson Chicken Tenders
Here are the best recommended settings for air frying frozen Tyson chicken tenders:
| Air Fryer Temperature | Time |
|---|---|
| 400°F | 5-10 minutes |
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F
- Cook frozen tenders for 5 minutes
- Flip and cook 5 more minutes
- Adjust time as needed to reach desired crispness
Cooking at a high temperature of 400°F will get the outside of the tenders crispy and hot while ensuring the inside cooks through. Depending on the amount of tenders and your air fryer size, the cook time may vary. Start checking after 5 minutes for desired doneness.
How to Make Juicy Air Fried Chicken Tenders
Follow these tips for getting tender, juicy air fried chicken tenders:
- Use thawed chicken tenders rather than frozen – thawing first allows tenders to cook more evenly.
- Marinate tenders in buttermilk, lemon juice, or brine before air frying for added moisture.
- Coat tenders in a seasoned flour mixture before air frying.
- Spray tenders with a little oil before cooking for extra juiciness.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket – this prevents proper air circulation.
- Cook at a slightly lower temperature (375°F) to help retain moisture.
- Brush tenders with oil or butter halfway through cooking.
- Avoid overcooking – check for doneness a couple minutes early.
Properly brining, marinating, and lightly oiling the tenders prior to cooking helps keep them extra moist and tasty. Checking tenders early and not overcrowding the air fryer will prevent them from drying out.
Common Air Fryer Mistakes to Avoid
It’s easy to end up with dry or unevenly cooked chicken if you’re not using the air fryer properly. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Overcrowding – Too many tenders blocks airflow and leads to uneven cooking.
- Not preheating – Failing to preheat can increase cook time and dry out tenders.
- Flipping infrequently – Only flipping once can lead to uncooked spots.
- Too much breading – Excess breading can fall off and burn in the air fryer.
- Cooking straight from frozen – Frozen tenders will cook unevenly, defrost first.
- Skipping oil – A light brushing of oil helps promote browning and moisture.
- Cooking at too high temp – High heat can dry out tenders, try 375°F.
Avoiding these common pitfalls will ensure you end up with perfectly crispy and juicy air fried chicken tenders every time.
Tyson Air Fried Chicken Tenders Recipe
This simple recipe results in crunchy, delicious air fried chicken tenders:
Ingredients:
- 1 bag Tyson Crispy Chicken Tenders (10-12 oz), thawed
- 1⁄2 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup flour
- 2 Tbsp seasoning blend (paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper)
- Oil for brushing
Instructions:
- Marinate thawed tenders in buttermilk for 15 minutes.
- Mix flour and seasonings in a shallow dish.
- Dredge marinated tenders in the flour mixture until fully coated.
- Brush a thin layer of oil on both sides of each tender.
- Place tenders in a single layer in air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 380°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Serve immediately with desired sauces.
The buttermilk marinade keeps the tenders extra juicy, while the light breading gets crispy in the air fryer. Feel free to tweak the seasoning blend to your tastes. Enjoy these easy air fried tenders!
Are Air Fried Tenders Healthier Than Fried?
Yes, air frying chicken tenders is a much healthier cooking method compared to traditional deep frying. Here’s how they compare:
| Air Fried | Deep Fried | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | About 130 per serving | Around 290 per serving |
| Fat | 2-3g per serving | 14-16g per serving |
| Preparation | No oil needed | Cooked in hot oils/fats |
Air frying saves a significant amount of calories, fat, and avoids the oil needed for deep frying. While not as healthy as grilled, air fried tenders are a smarter option over deep fried. The small amount of oil brushed on the tenders helps promote browning and adds just a touch of flavor.
Common Questions
How long do you air fry frozen chicken tenders?
Air fry frozen chicken tenders at 400°F for 5-7 minutes per side, adjusting time as needed. Check for an internal temperature of 165°F. Thicker tenders may take a few minutes longer.
Do you have to flip chicken tenders in the air fryer?
Yes, it is important to flip chicken tenders at least once during air frying for even cooking. Failing to flip can lead to burnt outer layers while leaving the inside undercooked.
Can you put raw chicken in an air fryer?
It is not recommended. Raw chicken can release juices that contaminate the air fryer and create food safety issues. For best results, cook chicken tenders that are already fully cooked or thawed.
Do air fried chicken tenders taste fried?
While not identical to deep fried, air fried chicken tenders can come very close in terms of crunch and flavor. The right technique of breading and oiling tenders before air frying results in a crispy fried taste.
Conclusion
Air frying is an easy and healthy way to cook frozen Tyson chicken tenders for a quick weeknight meal. By preheating the air fryer, lightly oiling the tenders, and not overcrowding, you can achieve crunchy, delicious air fried chicken in just minutes. Following proper technique avoids drying out or uneven cooking for juicy, tender air fried chicken every time. Ditch the oil and experience the crispy crunch of air fried Tyson tenders!
