Sometimes I crave chicken tenders but feel guilty about fried food. These hot honey chicken tenders are crispy, flavorful, and easy to make in the air fryer. The secret to a crunchy outer coating is a final layer of crushed corn flakes—golden, light, and perfectly crisp without overcooking the chicken.
Key to air fried crispy hot honey chicken tenders
Corn starch
After seasoning the chicken tenders, dust them lightly with corn starch. The corn starch helps the egg wash cling and increases the adhesion of the crushed corn flakes, resulting in a thicker, crunchier crust once air fried.
Corn flakes for hot honey chicken tenders
Corn flakes make an excellent breading for air-fried chicken because they are already crisp and golden. That means you get a beautiful color without extended cooking. Crush the corn flakes into coarse pieces—not a powder—so the coating has texture and stays crisp.
How to pack in the corn flake coating
- Prepare plenty of crushed corn flakes to cover all the tenders completely.
- After dipping the chicken in the egg wash, place it into the corn flakes and press more flakes on top.
- Use your hands to squeeze the coating onto the tender firmly. Repeat pressing 2–3 times until the chicken is fully covered and no bare spots remain.
How to make hot honey
Hot honey is quick to make and requires no cooking. Combine honey with your favorite hot sauce and chili flakes to taste. I like sriracha plus Korean chili flakes for a balanced, slightly smoky heat. Adjust the hot sauce and flakes to reach your preferred spice level.
Hot Honey Chicken Tenders (Air Fried)
Ingredients
Chicken
- 12 chicken tenders
- ½ tbsp garlic powder
- ½ tbsp onion powder
- ½ tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp corn starch
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups crushed corn flakes
- spray oil
Hot honey
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp sriracha
- 1 tsp chili flakes
Instructions
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Pat 12 chicken tenders dry. If using a chicken breast, slice it into similar-sized strips for even cooking.
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Season the tenders with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt, distributing the spices evenly.
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Lightly dust each tender with corn starch to help the egg wash and corn flakes adhere.
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Whisk 2 large eggs in a shallow bowl to create an egg wash.
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Place crushed corn flakes in a separate wide bowl. Coat each tender in the egg wash, then press into the crushed corn flakes. Use your hands to firmly squeeze and press the flakes onto the chicken multiple times to ensure full coverage.
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Arrange the coated tenders in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Lightly spray with oil. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10–13 minutes, flipping once at the halfway point (around 6 minutes) and spraying again to promote even browning.
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While the tenders cook, whisk together ¼ cup honey, 2 tbsp sriracha, and 1 tsp chili flakes in a small bowl to make the hot honey glaze. Adjust spice to taste.
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When the tenders are golden and cooked through, remove them from the air fryer and brush or toss with the hot honey. Serve immediately for the best contrast of crunchy coating and sticky glaze.
Additional Info
If you enjoyed this hot honey chicken tenders recipe, try other air fryer favorites in your collection to expand your quick, crispy meal options. Pair these tenders with a simple slaw, pickles, or a dipping sauce of yogurt and herbs for a balanced plate.
- Dim sum beef short ribs
- Chinese salt & pepper ribs