Do I need to preheat the air fryer?

Starting with a preheated air fryer helps the chicken cook evenly and get crispy from the get-go.

How can I tell when the chicken is cooked?

Check if the internal temperature of the chicken hits 165°F. Adjust cook time for larger pieces.

Can I switch chicken breasts for tenders?

Totally! Slice the breasts into strips and keep an eye on cook time based on their size.

Is this meal low-carb?

It sure is! Each serving only has 1.8g of net carbs, fitting neatly into a keto lifestyle.

Can I make them beforehand?

They’re best fresh for crunchiness, but you can re-crisp them in the air fryer later.

Crispy Parmesan Chicken Tenders - Fast Keto Meal

Golden and crispy breaded chicken strips served on a plate with dipping sauce nearby. | delishdocket.com

Yesterday I stumbled on the best way to do chicken tenderloins in my air fryer. Super juicy inside and that crunch on the outside? My crew absolutely devours them. You’ll eat in about 15 minutes too! I like dunking them in dips or just tossing them onto a salad for one of those fast meals.

Why This Method Crushes It In My House

This trick saves my sanity on hectic evenings. Eight minutes in the air fryer and dinner’s sorted, even when things are wild. These tenderloins are crazy flexible too—roll them in a wrap, top off a salad, or send them as an after-school snack. They always disappear!

What You Need

How To Do It

Our Favorite Sides And Serving Tricks

The kids dip these in marinara non-stop, but my husband reaches for honey mustard. You’ll usually see them next to garlicky green beans or crispy zucchini. If I’m pressed for time, a simple salad totally works.

Crispy breaded chicken tenders on a plate, finished with fresh herbs and a bowl of dipping sauce. | delishdocket.com

My Best Pro Tips For Amazing Chicken

You’ve gotta preheat the air fryer first. I promise—don’t be like me and squish too many pieces in the basket or you’ll get mushy spots. Grab a meat thermometer and wait for 165°F to make sure it’s cooked just right! Mix up the spices to find your family’s dream flavor.

Keeping Extras Just As Tasty

Leftovers? Just stash them in a sealed container—they’ll chill in the fridge up to four days. When you want more, pop them in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes and they’ll go crispy again! Wanna freeze them? They hold up in the freezer three months easy.

How To Get Maximum Crunch

Want restaurant crunch at home? Dip each tender in whisked egg, then coat with panko. Air fry exactly the same—you’ll love the extra crispy bite!

Easy For Keto Fans

If you’re skipping carbs, just leave out the breadcrumbs. You still get a totally tasty meal that’s all protein and nothing to worry about! Guilt? We don’t know her.

Why I Pick Tenderloins Every Time

Tenderloins are like my ultimate chicken hack—they’re smaller than chicken breasts and way juicier, so dinner happens faster with way less fuss. Can’t mess these up!

Crunchy breaded chicken tenders on a plate with a little bowl of sauce on the side. | delishdocket.com

Tweak The Flavors To Match Your Mood

Some days I shake in some cayenne for heat or dump in smoked paprika when I’m craving BBQ. Lemon zest is a game-changer for freshness—try it!

Our Go-To Sauce Combos

Everyone here’s got a favorite dip. Our son dunks in buffalo, I dig sriracha mayo. BBQ sauce is always in the mix, and if I get fancy I’ll throw together some tzatziki.

Don’t Sweat If You Don’t Have An Air Fryer

If your kitchen’s missing an air fryer, just bake these at 400°F for 15–20 minutes in the oven. Be sure to turn them once! They still come out golden.

The Easiest Meal Prep Ever

I knock out double batches on Sundays, box these up with rice and roasted veggies, and lunch is ready for the week. Start to finish, under 30 minutes. How’s that for easy?

My Kids Can’t Get Enough

Even my little one who usually says “no” to everything gobbles these up and asks for more. Way tastier than frozen tenders from the store, and I know every ingredient. A bit of ketchup or honey mustard and everyone’s happy.

Crispy golden chicken tenders stacked on a dark serving plate. | delishdocket.com

Gluten Free Made Simple

Double-check that your Parmesan and spice mixes don’t sneak in any gluten, and you’re all set! This one’s naturally gluten-free and it still rocks.

Chicken And Veggies, One Pan, Done

Chunk up some peppers, broccoli, or zucchini and throw them in the basket with your chicken. Quick olive oil drizzle and season how you like, then cook together. Super simple.

Perfect For Sharing

These vanish at parties! Set them on a tray with lots of mini dipping bowls. I always have to make extras for the crowd—they go fast.

My Favorite Lean Dinner

If you’re tracking protein and carbs, this is such an easy win—lots of protein, hardly any carbs. Fills you up and checks all the right boxes in your meal plan.

Read This Before You Start

Seriously—don’t skip preheating! It’s a few extra minutes but really makes your chicken crispy and cooks everything super even. When you want perfect crunch, trust me, it’s worth it.

Plated crispy seasoned chicken tenders with dipping sauce on the side. | delishdocket.com

Summary

Golden brown chicken tenders from the air fryer—both crispy on the outside and tender inside. Perfect for a low-carb meal.

Recipe FAQs

→ Do I need to preheat the air fryer?: Starting with a preheated air fryer helps the chicken cook evenly and get crispy from the get-go.
→ How can I tell when the chicken is cooked?: Check if the internal temperature of the chicken hits 165°F. Adjust cook time for larger pieces.
→ Can I switch chicken breasts for tenders?: Totally! Slice the breasts into strips and keep an eye on cook time based on their size.
→ Is this meal low-carb?: It sure is! Each serving only has 1.8g of net carbs, fitting neatly into a keto lifestyle.
→ Can I make them beforehand?: They’re best fresh for crunchiness, but you can re-crisp them in the air fryer later.

Juicy Keto Tenders