Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders: Air Fryer & Oven Recipe for a Healthier Takeout Favorite
Craving a classic comfort food that’s both satisfying and healthier than its deep-fried counterpart? Look no further than these incredibly delicious Hot Honey Chicken Tenders! This recipe offers a fantastic way to enjoy a sweet and spicy kick without the guilt, whether you prefer the convenience of an air fryer or the consistent results of a conventional oven. Say goodbye to the drive-thru and hello to a homemade favorite that’s simple to prepare and bursting with flavor. Get ready to transform ordinary chicken tenders into an extraordinary meal that the whole family will love.
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Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, a delightful dinner, or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, these hot honey chicken tenders are a fantastic choice. The combination of crispy coating and the sweet-spicy glaze creates an irresistible flavor profile that will leave everyone asking for more. Plus, the ability to cook them in either an air fryer or oven makes them versatile and accessible to any home cook. Let’s dive into the simple ingredients you’ll need to create this culinary masterpiece.
Essential Ingredients and Smart Substitutions
Crafting these delectable chicken tenders requires a few key components. Here’s what you’ll need, along with some handy substitutions to accommodate various dietary needs or pantry staples:
- Chicken tenders: For convenience, pre-cut chicken tenders are ideal. Alternatively, you can easily prepare your own by slicing two boneless, skinless chicken breasts lengthwise into four uniform pieces each. This allows for consistent cooking and tender results.
- Flour: All-purpose flour provides the initial coating. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, readily available gluten-free flour blends work wonderfully. Potato starch or arrowroot powder are also excellent alternatives that contribute to a crisp texture.
- Buttermilk: This acidic ingredient is crucial for tenderizing the chicken and helping the breading adhere. If buttermilk isn’t on hand, a simple homemade substitute can be made by combining regular milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes until it slightly curdles. Mayonnaise or a beaten egg can also be used as a binding agent, though the flavor and tenderness might slightly differ.
- Crushed cornflakes: The secret to an extra-crispy coating! Cornflakes provide a superior crunch compared to traditional breadcrumbs. However, if you don’t have cornflakes, panko breadcrumbs are a fantastic substitute, delivering a light and airy crispness.
- Paprika: This spice adds a subtle warmth and beautiful color to the tenders. For a bit more heat and a similar flavor profile, cayenne pepper can be used. Adjust the amount based on your preferred spice level.
- Garlic powder: A staple in savory dishes, garlic powder enhances the overall flavor. Onion powder is a suitable alternative if you’re out of garlic powder. If you opt for garlic salt, remember to reduce the amount of additional salt used in the recipe to prevent over-salting.
- Salt & pepper: These foundational seasonings are vital for bringing out the best in your chicken. Adjust quantities to your personal taste preferences.
- Cooking spray: Essential for achieving that golden, crispy finish in both the air fryer and oven, while minimizing the need for excessive oil.
- Carrots & Celery stalks: These classic dipper veggies offer a refreshing crunch and balance the richness of the chicken. Feel free to serve your tenders with any other favorite vegetable, such as cucumber sticks, bell pepper strips, or even a simple side salad.
Crafting the Irresistible Hot Honey Sauce
The star of this dish is undoubtedly the hot honey sauce, a perfect blend of sweet and spicy that elevates these tenders to gourmet status. Here’s what you’ll need for the sauce:
- Honey: The primary component, providing natural sweetness and a sticky glaze. While you could experiment with agave or maple syrup, the unique floral notes and consistency of honey are what truly define the “hot honey” flavor.
- Buffalo sauce: This is where the “hot” comes from! Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to control the level of spiciness. For those who love a serious kick, a spicier hot sauce can be used to intensify the heat.
- Chili flakes: (Optional) These provide an extra visual appeal and an additional layer of heat. If you prefer a milder sauce or don’t have them on hand, feel free to omit them.
With these ingredients ready, you’re all set to create a batch of hot honey chicken tenders that are far superior to any takeout option!
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
Making these crispy, flavorful chicken tenders is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these easy steps for a perfect batch every time, whether you’re using an air fryer or an oven.
Step 1: Prepare Your Breading Stations
To ensure an efficient and mess-free breading process, set up three separate bowls. In the first bowl, combine your flour with paprika and garlic powder, mixing thoroughly to ensure the spices are evenly distributed. This mixture will form the foundational layer of flavor. In the second bowl, pour the buttermilk. In the third bowl, place your crushed cornflakes. Having these stations ready will make coating the chicken a breeze.
Step 2: Coat the Chicken Tenders
Take each chicken tender and first dredge it completely in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Next, dip the flour-coated tender into the buttermilk, ensuring it’s fully covered. The buttermilk helps the cornflakes stick perfectly.
Step 3: Apply the Crispy Cornflake Coating
After the buttermilk dip, transfer each tender to the bowl of crushed cornflakes. Press gently to ensure the cornflakes adhere firmly and completely cover the chicken. This layer is key to achieving that satisfying crunch. Once coated, set the tenders aside on a clean plate or wire rack while you prepare your cooking appliance.
Step 4: Cook the Tenders to Golden Perfection
For air frying, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. Arrange the coated chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd it. Overcrowding can lead to steaming rather than crisping. Lightly spray the tenders with cooking spray and season them generously with salt. Air fry for 5-7 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of your tenders and the capacity of your air fryer. Our XXL air fryer allows for all tenders to fit at once, and 6 minutes per side yielded perfect results. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). For oven baking, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the coated tenders on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spray with cooking spray, and season with salt. Bake for 7-8 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through.
Step 5: Prepare the Signature Hot Honey Sauce
While your chicken tenders are cooking, whisk together the honey, buffalo sauce, and optional chili flakes in a medium-sized bowl. Mix until well combined. Taste and adjust the buffalo sauce or chili flakes to achieve your desired level of sweetness and heat. This vibrant sauce is what gives the tenders their iconic sweet and spicy flavor.
Step 6: Serve and Savor!
Once the chicken tenders are cooked through and beautifully golden, transfer them to a serving platter. Generously drizzle the freshly made hot honey sauce over the crispy tenders. Serve immediately with fresh carrots, celery sticks, and your favorite dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese. Prepare for a flavor explosion!
Creative Ways to Serve These Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
These versatile hot honey chicken tenders are fantastic on their own, but they also shine in a variety of other dishes. Here are some of our favorite serving suggestions:
- Classic Dipping: Enjoy them as a standalone snack or appetizer with a side of extra hot honey sauce, creamy homemade ranch, tangy BBQ sauce, or a cooling blue cheese dressing.
- Hearty Side Pairings: Complement the tenders with starchy favorites like crispy tater tots, savory mashed potatoes, or healthier sweet potato fries cooked in the air fryer.
- Fresh Salad Topping: Elevate your lunch or dinner by slicing the tenders and using them as a protein-packed topping for a fresh salad, such as a vibrant strawberry spinach salad with chicken or your favorite garden greens.
- Wraps & Sandwiches: Create delicious wraps by layering the tenders with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and a drizzle of sauce. For a low-carb alternative, serve them in crisp lettuce cups.
- On a Bun: Transform them into a gourmet chicken sandwich by placing them on a toasted bun with pickles and a dollop of slaw.
No matter how you choose to enjoy them, these hot honey chicken tenders are sure to be a hit!
Frequently Asked Questions About Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
The air fryer is truly a game-changer for achieving super crispy chicken tenders with significantly less oil than traditional deep frying. The trick lies in a multi-layered coating: start with flour seasoned with spices, followed by a dip in buttermilk, and finally, a generous coating of crushed cornflakes. The hot, circulating air in the air fryer crisps up this coating beautifully, mimicking the texture of your favorite fast food but with a much healthier profile and fewer calories. For oven baking, a slightly higher temperature and ensuring the chicken is in a single layer also helps maximize crispness.
The hot honey sauce is designed to have a pleasant kick, offering a delightful balance of sweet and spicy. However, the heat level is entirely customizable to your preference. You can easily adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to increase or decrease the spice. For a milder flavor, use less buffalo sauce or opt for a less potent brand. If you crave more intensity, don’t hesitate to add extra buffalo sauce or a few more chili flakes. Taste as you go to find your perfect balance!
Absolutely! Transforming these hot honey chicken tenders into hot honey chicken nuggets is incredibly simple. Just cut the chicken into desired nugget-sized pieces before you begin the breading process. Proceed with the flour, buttermilk, and crushed cornflake coating as normal. Keep in mind that smaller pieces cook faster, so you’ll likely need to reduce the cooking time by a few minutes. Monitor the nuggets closely to prevent them from overcooking and becoming dry. They’re a fantastic bite-sized option for parties or kids!
If your chicken tenders turn out dry, the most common reason is overcooking. Chicken tenders are lean and cook relatively quickly. In an air fryer, they typically only need 5-7 minutes per side, while in a conventional oven, 7-8 minutes per side is usually sufficient. To ensure perfectly juicy and tender chicken every time, we highly recommend using a meat thermometer. Chicken is safely cooked when its internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
While this recipe focuses on the incredible hot honey sauce, these crispy chicken tenders are wonderfully versatile and pair well with a wide array of dipping sauces. Beyond the hot honey, popular choices include classic homemade ranch, smoky BBQ sauce, sweet and tangy store-bought plum sauce, or a zesty honey mustard sauce. Feel free to get creative and experiment with your personal favorites!
Storing and Reheating Your Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
If you find yourself with leftover hot honey chicken tenders, storing them properly will ensure they remain delicious. Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. For the best reheating results that maintain their desirable crispiness, avoid the microwave. Instead, reheat them in your air fryer for approximately 5 minutes at 375°F (190°C), or in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes. This method helps to revive their crunchy texture. While reheating in the microwave for 1-2 minutes is an option for speed, be aware that they will likely lose their crisp exterior.
Freezing This Recipe for Future Enjoyment
These cooked honey hot chicken tenders are excellent for meal prep and can be frozen for up to 3 months. To prevent them from sticking together, we recommend flash freezing them first: arrange the cooked tenders on a baking tray in a single layer and place them in the freezer for about an hour. Once they are firm, transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty Ziploc bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Label with the date.
When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen tenders, there’s no need to thaw! Simply pop them directly into your preheated air fryer at 375°F (190°C) and cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until heated through and crispy. Once reheated, drizzle generously with fresh hot honey sauce and dig into a quick and satisfying meal!
More Delicious Air Fryer Chicken Recipes to Try
If you loved these hot honey chicken tenders, you’re in for a treat! The air fryer is a fantastic tool for making healthier, crispy chicken dishes. Explore more of our favorite air fryer chicken recipes:
-
Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
-
Super Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
-
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs {Bone-In or Boneless}
Recommended Meal Prep Tools & Kitchen Essentials
To make cooking and meal prepping these hot honey chicken tenders even easier, here are some of our top recommended tools:
- Glass Meal Prep Bowls: Perfect for storing leftovers securely and reheating them safely. Grab some glass meal prep bowls for your weekly planning.
- Philips Digital Airfryer XXL: We personally use and love this air fryer! Its large capacity (XXL size) means you can cook more chicken at once, making it ideal for families or batch cooking. It’s truly one of the best kitchen investments. Find it here: Philips Digital Airfryer XXL.
- Butcher Box for Quality Chicken: For high-quality, free-range chicken, we highly recommend Butcher Box. Their convenient frozen delivery service ensures you always have premium meat on hand.
- Meat Thermometer: A crucial tool for perfectly cooked chicken every time. Eliminate guesswork and ensure your chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) with a reliable meat thermometer.
- Full List of Tools: For a comprehensive list of all our favorite kitchen and meal prep essentials, check out our dedicated guide: Get my full list of tools here.
Homemade Hot Honey Chicken Tenders {Air Fryer or Oven}
Skip the drive-thru and make these easy, healthier Hot Honey Chicken Tenders instead. Make them in the air fryer or oven!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars from 2 votes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 554 kcal
Author: Taylor Stinson
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
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Ingredients
- 8 chicken tenders (or 2 chicken breasts cut into 4 pieces each)
- 1/2 cup flour (all-purpose or gluten-free)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk with lemon juice/vinegar, or mayo/egg)
- 1 cup crushed cornflakes (or panko breadcrumbs)
- 1 tsp paprika (or cayenne for more kick)
- 1 tsp garlic powder (or onion powder, or garlic salt – reduce other salt)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Cooking spray
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
Hot honey sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tbsp buffalo sauce (or more to taste, or hotter sauce)
- 1 pinch chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
Air Fryer Instructions
- In one bowl, mix flour, paprika, and garlic powder. In a second bowl, add buttermilk. In a third bowl, add crushed cornflakes. Coat each chicken tender in the flour mixture, then buttermilk, then finally in crushed cornflakes. Meanwhile, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
- Place tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, spray with cooking spray, and season generously with salt. Air fry for 5-7 minutes per side. For an XXL air fryer, 6 minutes per side is often ideal. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- While chicken cooks, prepare the hot honey sauce by mixing honey, buffalo sauce, and chili flakes in a large bowl. Once chicken is done, drizzle the sauce over the tenders and serve immediately with carrots, celery, and your favorite dipping sauces. Enjoy!
Oven Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Prepare your breading stations: one bowl with flour, paprika, and garlic powder; a second with buttermilk; and a third with crushed cornflakes. Coat each chicken tender in the flour, then buttermilk, then crushed cornflakes.
- Place each coated tender on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spray lightly with cooking spray and season generously with salt. Bake for 7-8 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through.
- Meanwhile, make the hot honey sauce by combining honey, buffalo sauce, and chili flakes in a bowl. Once chicken is baked, drizzle with the sauce and serve with carrots, celery, and your preferred dipping sauces. Enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust buffalo sauce amount based on your desired spice level.
- Substitute hot honey sauce with homemade ranch, BBQ sauce, plum sauce, or honey mustard sauce.
- Serve tenders as a salad topping or in wraps.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven at 375°F (190°C) for best crispiness.
- Cooked chicken tenders can be frozen for 3 months. Reheat from frozen in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes per side.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 554kcal (28%) | Carbohydrates: 104g (35%) | Protein: 29g (58%) | Fat: 4g (6%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 67mg (22%) | Sodium: 765mg (33%) | Potassium: 685mg (20%) | Fiber: 4g (17%) | Sugar: 45g (50%) | Vitamin A: 6508IU (130%) | Vitamin C: 16mg (19%) | Calcium: 62mg (6%) | Iron: 19mg (106%)
We hope you enjoy making and savoring these incredibly tasty and healthier Hot Honey Chicken Tenders! Whether it’s for a busy weeknight dinner, a fun game day appetizer, or a part of your meal prep routine, this recipe is designed to deliver maximum flavor with minimal fuss. Don’t forget to customize the spice level to your liking and explore the various serving suggestions. Happy cooking!