Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders are simple and well-seasoned. Chicken tenders breaded and air fried and served with hot honey butter for savory sweet heat. This method will serves 2 to 4.

Today was my most productive day yet.

House cleaned. Windows washed. Laundry folded and put away. Since this whole Stay Home, Stay Save executive order on Michigan (although we’ve been living like this before our governor put this into effect) I told myself I was going to slow down, work less and enjoy everyone at the table more. I’ve decided to look at this mandate as a blessing and spend quality time with everyone at the table.

With that said, I now am in charge of feeding these people every day. 😂

And since I only made a batch of from-scratch lemon pepper, I decided chicken tenders were on the menu.

For this Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders Set out:

chicken tenderloins (abut 8)
unbleached all-purpose flour
from-scratch panko-style bread crumbs or store-bought
lemon pepper seasoning
eggs
olive oil spray
(salted) butter, melted
honey, more or less to taste
garlic powder
lemon juice
hot sauce or cayenne pepper

Start with 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 pounds of chicken tenders or about 8.

Add 1 cup panko style breadcrumbs to a mini (or regular) food processor and pulse until fine.

Add it to a shallow dish with 1-1/2 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning, mix to combine.

In another shallow dish, add 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour with 1 tablespoon lemon pepper.

Set up a breading station. The bowl of the breadcrumbs, flour and 1 shallow bowl with 2 beaten eggs.

Start by dredging each chicken tender in the flour.

Then dip it into the egg.

Lastly, roll the chicken into the seasoned breadcrumbs.

Repeat with the remaining chicken tenders.

Preheat your air fryer to 400℉ (or 200℃).

What Is Air Frying?

An air fryer is a counter top appliance that requires less oil (anything from a few spritz to 1 tablespoon) yet produces crispy food that rivals most deep fried foods. By using circulating hot air, it moves at a high speed so the food tends to cook in a fraction of the time.
There are a bunch of different makes and models of air fryers. Someone at the table did the research (as he’s known to do) and found this air fryer [affiliate] to be one of the go-to. But do your research and purchase one that fits your lifestyle.

How is Air Frying Healthier?

Air frying is healthier because only a thin layer of oil coats the food and when the hot air comes in contact it will crisp. Saving you a ton of fat and calories (without sacrificing any flavor!) because food is not being submerged in a vat of hot oil.
Keep in mind, not all air fryers are equal. Some preheat and some do not. Some are smaller than others therefore you may need to work in smaller batches to air fry.

Once your air fryer is preheated, work in batches, cooking the chicken tenders for 6 to 8 minutes or until deeply golden. Turn halfway through.

Before serving, heat 4 tablespoons (salted) butter, 1 tablespoon honey, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, juice of 1/2 a lemon and 1 tablespoon hot sauce, more or less to taste. If you don’t have hot sauce or prefer this not to have the vinegar flavor, try substituting 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper.

Serve this hot honey butter alongside the lemon pepper chicken tenders for a satisfying sweet heat. However, these are also genuinely good dipped in plain old ranch dressing.