Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

Turn up the excitement at your dinner table with these irresistible Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders! Juicy strips of chicken coated in a crispy cornflake crust, then drizzled with a sweet-and-spicy hot honey sauce—these are truly finger-licking good and ready in just about 30 minutes. If you’ve ever wished crunchy comfort food could be a little fresher, lighter, and, dare I say, more exciting, this is the recipe you need.

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders is how simple, honest ingredients come together to make something truly show-stopping—each one playing its part for maximum flavor, crunch, and gorgeous golden color.

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Slice them into strips for the perfect, juicy tenders—chicken thighs would work too for even more richness!
• Large Egg & Water: The classic egg wash helps the cornflake goodness stick to every inch of chicken.
• Cornflake Cereal: Crushed up, cornflakes create a shatteringly crisp coating—so much better than plain breadcrumbs!
• Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning the crust, so every bite tastes vibrant and complete.
• Smoked Paprika & Cayenne Pepper: Add deep smoky warmth and a gentle heat—the flavor duo you didn’t know chicken tenders needed.
• Dried Thyme, Onion Powder, & Garlic Powder: Aromatics that layer in fragrant, savory notes that truly make these tenders addictive.
• Unsalted Butter, Honey, & Hot Sauce: The secret trio for your hot honey drizzle—combine for a sweet and spicy touch that makes all the difference.
• Cooking Oil Spray (avocado oil suggested): A quick spritz locks in moisture and helps crisp up the coating without deep frying.
• Minced Fresh Parsley: Optional, but a pop of fresh, herby green looks beautiful scattered over the finished tenders.

Variations

The beauty of these Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders is how flexible the recipe can be! Feel free to experiment and make them your own—for dietary swaps, zippy flavor twists, or adapting to whatever’s already in your pantry.

• Make It Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free cornflakes and double-check your hot sauce and spices for a totally gluten-free version.
• Choose Your Heat: Love it extra spicy? Add more cayenne to the crumb or use a smokier, hotter sauce for the honey drizzle.
• Oven-Baked Tenders: No air fryer? No worries! Bake the breaded chicken on a rack over a sheet pan at 400ºF for about 20–23 minutes.
• Store-Bought Shortcut: Pressed for time? Swap in your favorite store-bought hot honey for the sauce—total time saver!

How to Make Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Dredging Stations

Start by crushing your cornflakes—either pop them in a zip-top bag and smash gently with a rolling pin, or take the easy route and pulse in a food processor until you’ve got fine, crumbly flakes. Set up your breading station: one bowl with a whisked egg and splash of water, and another with your seasoned cornflake mixture. Laying everything out ahead makes the breading process a breeze and keeps you organized.

Step 2: Coat the Chicken Tenders

Dip each chicken strip into the egg wash, letting excess drip off, then transfer into the cornflake mixture. Press and pat so every bit is covered in that spiced, golden crunch. Arrange your coated chicken tenders on a plate or baking sheet as you go—this assembly-line style makes things speedy and ensures an even breading.

Step 3: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F, then lightly coat the basket with a spray of avocado oil. Arrange the breaded chicken tenders in a single layer—don’t crowd them! Give them all a quick mist of oil to help crisp the coating. Air fry in batches for 8–10 minutes, flipping or shaking halfway through, until they’re gorgeously golden and reach an internal temp of 165°F.

Step 4: Whip Up the Hot Honey Sauce

While the chicken is cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the honey and your favorite hot sauce, then let it all bubble gently for a minute or two—this creates that signature sweet-spicy coating that takes these chicken tenders to the next level. Adjust the hot sauce to your desired heat!

Step 5: Drizzle, Garnish, & Serve

With your tenders perfectly crispy and hot, arrange them on a platter and drizzle liberally with the hot honey sauce. Finish with a confetti of chopped fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy. Now, serve immediately and watch them disappear faster than you can say “Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders!”

How to Serve Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Garnishes

A shower of fresh parsley right before serving makes these tenders feel restaurant-worthy, but don’t stop there! Try a grating of lemon zest, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, or even a light dusting of extra smoked paprika for extra color and flavor contrast. These finishing touches take the flavors (and the presentation!) absolutely over the top.

Side Dishes

Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are made for dipping and scooping alongside creamy ranch, blue cheese dressing, or even a cool Greek yogurt dip. Pair them with classic fries, a crisp green salad, sweet potato wedges, or coleslaw—you can’t go wrong. For a complete meal, add some honey-buttered corn or garlicky roasted veggies on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve them party-style on a big platter with toothpicks and plenty of sauce for dipping, or tuck them into slider buns with pickles for a fun twist on a chicken sandwich. For a family dinner, pile the Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders high over a bed of greens and drizzle with extra sauce for a “hot honey chicken salad” that’s anything but boring!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Pop any leftover tenders (if you’re lucky enough to have them!) into an airtight container and stash in the fridge for up to 3 days. The crispy coating will soften a little, but the sweet-spicy flavor stays absolutely delicious—especially for next-day lunches.

Freezing

If you want to get ahead, freeze the breaded (but uncooked) chicken strips on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When the craving strikes, air fry straight from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to the cook time. You can also freeze fully cooked tenders for up to 2 months, just reheat to serve.

Reheating

For best results, reheat leftover Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes—this brings back a lot of that signature crunch! A few minutes in a hot oven works as well. The microwave will work in a pinch, but expect a softer texture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Let these Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders become a new favorite in your dinner rotation. They’re crispy, bold, and just plain fun to make (and eat!). Gather your ingredients, share them with friends and family, and get ready to crave that spicy-sweet bite again and again. Enjoy every last crunchy, honey-drizzled piece!

Print