Description
Juicy chicken tenders coated in a crunchy cornflake breading, air fried to golden perfection, and generously drizzled with a sweet and spicy homemade hot honey sauce. This recipe offers a flavorful combination of crispiness and a spicy-sweet kick, perfect for a delicious snack or main dish.
Ingredients
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
- Cooking oil spray (avocado oil recommended) for the air fryer
- Minced fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cornflake Breading: Add cornflake cereal to a resealable plastic bag and crush thoroughly with a rolling pin or an empty skillet until fine crumbs form. Alternatively, pulse in a food processor until crumbs are achieved. In a shallow bowl, combine the crushed cornflakes with kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir well to combine.
- Make the Egg Wash: In a separate shallow bowl, whisk together the large egg and a splash of water until smooth and well combined.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and allow it to preheat while you finish preparing chicken tenders.
- Bread the Chicken Tenders: Dip each chicken tender into the egg wash, coating all sides and letting the excess drip off. Then, transfer each tender to the seasoned cornflake mixture, pressing and turning to coat thoroughly on all sides. Place the coated tenders on a plate or baking sheet. Repeat with all pieces.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange 4-5 chicken tenders in a single layer in the basket, making sure there is space between each for proper air circulation (you may need to cook in batches). Lightly spray the tenders with more oil spray. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway if desired, until the chicken is golden brown and registers an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Prepare the Hot Honey Sauce: While the chicken cooks, melt unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add honey and your preferred hot sauce. Stir to combine and let simmer gently for 1-2 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Drizzle and Serve: Once cooked, remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and place them on a serving dish. Generously drizzle the hot honey sauce over the tenders. Garnish with minced fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately, optionally with ranch dressing for dipping to balance the spicy sweetness.
Notes
- For best results, cook the chicken tenders in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket and ensure even crisping.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the hot honey sauce to control the level of spiciness according to your preference.
- Leftover breading crumbs can be stored in an airtight container for future use.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken is cooked through to 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- Fresh parsley garnish is optional but adds a nice color contrast and fresh flavor.
- Serve with ranch or your favorite dipping sauce for a cooling contrast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
