Crispy Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders
Get bold, spicy flavor and irresistible crunch with these air fryer Nashville hot chicken tenders—perfectly crispy without the deep fry.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus marinating)
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course / Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Southern / American
Ingredients
Chicken & Breading
1½ pounds chicken tenders, trimmed
1 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot recommended)
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Nashville Hot Sauce
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon salt
Other
Cooking spray
Instructions
In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk and hot sauce. Add chicken tenders, fully submerge, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours).
In a separate bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Coat each tender evenly in the flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
Spray air fryer basket lightly. Arrange chicken in a single layer. Spray tops lightly with cooking spray.
Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
While chicken cooks, whisk together melted butter, cayenne, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt to make the hot sauce.
Immediately toss cooked tenders in the hot sauce until evenly coated.
Serve hot with pickles and white bread slices.
Notes
Adjust cayenne in the sauce to control heat level.
Cornstarch is key for extra-crispy air fryer breading.
Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.
Leftovers reheat best in the air fryer at 375°F for 3–4 minutes.
