Air Fryer Cornflake Chicken Tenders are coated in mayonnaise and a crispy mixture of crushed cornflakes, Parmesan, and seasonings, then air fried until golden brown and juicy inside.
I love how the cornflake coating gives these chicken tenders plenty of crunch without deep frying. They make an easy dinner that both kids and adults can enjoy.
“WOW. I couldn’t have expected this to be THIS good. It’s phenomenal. I will definitely be making this again. I did spray a little avocado oil on them and I also put some creole seasoning in with the corn flakes.”
Why I Love Cornflake Chicken Tenders
About the Ingredients ⭐
- Chicken Tenders: Boneless, skinless chicken tenders cook quickly in the air fryer.
- Cornflakes & Parmesan: Create the crispy, cheesy coating.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper add plenty of flavor.
- Mayonnaise: Helps the cornflake coating stick while keeping the chicken juicy.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to Make Air Fryer Cornflake Chicken Tenders
Prepare the Coating: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Combine the crushed cornflakes, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Coat the Chicken: Coat each chicken tender with mayonnaise, then press the cornflake mixture onto the chicken until well coated.
Arrange in the Air Fryer: Place the chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
Air Fry: Cook for about 20 minutes, or until golden and crispy and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Tips I Found Helpful 💙
- Crush the cornflakes well: Smaller crumbs stick to the chicken better and create an even coating.
- Press on the coating: Gently press the cornflake mixture onto the mayonnaise so it stays put while cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Leave space between the tenders so they get crispy.
- Check the temperature: Chicken is done when the center reaches 165°F.
Questions Readers Ask Most
More Chicken Recipes I Love
Air Fryer Cornflake Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Cornflake Chicken Tenders are juicy inside with a crispy Parmesan cornflake coating, all made right in the air fryer.
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenders
- 1 cup crushed cornflakes
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup mayonnaise
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Combine the crushed cornflakes, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl.
- Coat each chicken tender with mayonnaise.
- Press the cornflake mixture onto each tender until well coated.
- Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
- Air fry for about 20 minutes, or until golden and crispy and the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
Notes
Press the cornflake mixture firmly onto the mayonnaise so the coating sticks well. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket so the chicken can crisp evenly.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 638Total Fat: 46gSaturated Fat: 11gUnsaturated Fat: 35gCholesterol: 133mgSodium: 712mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 43g
Do you have to use the Parmesan cheese? I don’t eat cheese.
no you do not
I’m new to the Omni Plus Oven and wonder what surface do I use? The pan, the rack, or put the basket on the pan/shelf? I’d like to make this but don’t want a disaster mess in the oven lol.
This tastes amazing! Thanks for the recipe.
These are seriously delicious, but I cannot get them crispy. When I attempt to turn them halfway through cooking, the breading starts to come off. I have also tried putting them in the oven on convection in a baking basket at a higher temperature, spraying them first with cooking spray, different brands of mayonnaise and it doesn’t seem to help. Not sure what I am doing wrong. Any tips are appreciated! Thanks you!
Can I use egg whites or something else instead of mayo?
Yes you can 🙂
I have made this recipe a handful of times and every time is has has turned out great!
*I have tried it with regular and gluten free cornflakes and both worked well.