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Air fryer chicken tenderloins are one of my favorite quick and easy ways to get juicy, flavorful chicken on the table fast, with no breading required. This gluten-free chicken tenderloin recipe is marinated in a bold mix of coconut aminos, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, and garlic, then air-fried to crispy, golden perfection. They're high in protein, kid-friendly, and perfect for busy weeknights, school lunches, or meal prep.
Why You’ll Love These Easy Air Fryer Chicken Strips
This crispy air fryer chicken was born from a Costco trip where I picked up a pack of grilled naked chicken tenders for quick lunches. They were so convenient and tasty that I knew I could recreate a version at home, only better. With a bold, tangy marinade and the magic of the air fryer, these gluten-free chicken tenders are juicy, flavorful, and super easy to make. Perfect for air fryer meal prep during busy weeks.
I’ve tested this recipe multiple times to get the timing just right. It works with both fresh and frozen tenderloins, and it’s totally kid-approved. Packed with over 36 grams of protein per serving, these juicy chicken tenders in the air fryer are a healthy option you can feel good about serving.
Looking for more quick and easy air fryer meals? Try these Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites or this Air Fryer Italian Sausage.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken tenderloins: Use fresh or frozen. They’re quick-cooking and perfect for the air fryer.
- Olive oil: Or your preferred cooking oil. Helps lock in moisture.
- Coconut aminos: Adds a salty-sweet depth of flavor and keeps it gluten-free.
- Minced garlic: Adds a fresh bite. Garlic powder works in a pinch.
- Onion powder & salt: Basic seasoning essentials.
- Hot sauce: I love Frank's Red Hot, but use your favorite. Adds a mild heat.
- Dijon mustard: Brings tang and depth to the marinade.
- Crushed red pepper: Optional, but great if you want to turn up the heat.
Looking for a dip? These pair perfectly with Easy Cottage Cheese Dip with Ranch Seasoning.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins
Step 1: Pat your chicken tenderloins dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, add olive oil, coconut aminos, garlic, onion powder, salt, hot sauce, Dijon mustard, and crushed red pepper.
Step 2: Whisk those ingredients together to form a marinade.
Step 3: Add the chicken tenderloins to the marinade and let them sit for at least 15 minutes, or up to overnight for extra flavor.
Step 4: Spray your air fryer basket with olive oil spray and preheat to 390°F. Place marinated chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. (Work in batches if needed.) Air fry for 7-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked to an internal temp of 165°F
To make this a complete meal, try these Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes!
Expert Tips & Variations
- Frozen tenderloins: Pre-cook frozen tenderloins in an air fryer for 5 minutes, then marinate and cook as directed.
- Oven method: Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes on a parchment-lined sheet.
- Serving suggestions: Try them with sweet potato fries, roasted rosemary parsnip fries, or roasted veggies.
Recipe FAQs
7-8 minutes at 390°F, flipping halfway through. Cook until internal temp reaches 165°F.
Yes! Preheat your air fryer, cook frozen tenderloins for 5 minutes, marinate, then return to air fryer for 7-8 more minutes.
Nope! The air fryer and marinade create a golden crust without flour or breadcrumbs.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes.
I hope you love these air fryer chicken tenderloins as much as my family does! They're flavorful, quick to make, and perfect for everything from meal prep to game day snacks.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins (No Breading)
Equipment
- Air Fryer alternative oven baked method below!
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken tenderloins
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp hot sauce, I like Frank's Red Hot
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Add marinade ingredients to a large bowl and whisk well to combine.
- Add chicken tenderloins and let them sit for minimum 15 minutes up to overnight.
- Spray the air fryer basket and preheat to 390 degrees.
- Remove chicken tenderloins from marinade and add them in a single layer in the basket (in batches if needed). Cook for 7-8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce! This Copycat Chick Fil A sauce is great!
Notes
- Oven Method: To bake chicken tenderloins in the oven, preheat the oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay the marinated chicken tenderloins out in a single layer. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
- Frozen Chicken Tenders: To make frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 390. Spray the basket with oil. Add frozen chicken tenderloins to the basket and cook for 5 minutes. Remove the tenderloins and place them in the marinade for a few minutes. Place them back into the air fryer basket and cook for an additional 7-8 minutes, flipping halfway through until they are crispy chicken tenders.
- Chicken Breasts: You can also cut boneless skinless chicken breasts into strips instead of using chicken tenderloins.
- Cooking Time: The cook time will vary a bit depending on the thickness of your chicken tenders. Cook to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F and check with an instant-read meat thermometer.
Nutrition
All nutrition facts are an estimate and automatically calculated. While I fact check them using My Fitness Pal, please note that they may not always be 100% accurate and depend on ingredients used. Weigh your total and divide by the number of servings for the most accurate grams per serving size.
I use my air fryer every single day and will now make these Gluten Free Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins each week! My family loved them too and healthy does taste good, Thank you, Mary!
Thanks Mary Catherine!
Made this for dinner this week from precut chicken from the store… so easy and so yummy!!
Thanks Tessa! Glad you enjoyed it!
SO GOOD! The whole family loved these!
Yay! So glad to hear it!
Made these tonight and the whole family enjoyed them. Love not having to use oven and still getting tender chicken strips!
Thanks Lauren!!
I used the marinade over chicken thighs because that’s we had and it was so good! The air fryer makes it such a simple meal.
Thanks Shelly!
Quick and tasty! Winner in my kitchen
I made these last weekend and they were delicious! I let them marinate for over 24 hours and they were juicy and flavorful. Highly recommend!
Thanks Ashley!!
I doubled this and we grilled the chicken instead of air frying it. My husband…”this is the best chicken marinade you have ever made” . Winner winner! You will not be disappointed! Can’t wait to try it in the air fryer.
Woo hoo! Love that. Thank you!
Another delicious recipe that will be in our meal rotation! Love how quick and easy this recipe is for weeknight dinners.
Thanks Amanda!
This is my new favorite MWL recipe! Easy and delicious. Flavor was perfect and Mary never disappoints with her recipes. This was great for dinner and can’t wait to have it leftover for lunch too.
thank you Mie!