crispy, gluten-free buffalo chicken tenders made in the air fryer

Made in the air fryer, these Whole30 Buffalo Chicken Tenders are spicy, crispy and so flavorful; perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner!

air fryer buffalo chicken tenders

Whole30 Buffalo Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer make for an easy lunch or dinner on their own, but these spicy, gluten-free tendies are also the perfect topper over an easy side salad, drizzled in dairy-free ranch to make a complete meal. Or a quick caesar salad with some heat!

These buffalo chicken tenders air fryer are also a delicious grain-free, gluten-free recipe for home-gating during football season! Seriously, don’t even tell anyone that these strips are less processed – no one needs to know. 

What goes into a batch of Buffalo Chicken Strips

Just six ingredients (not including spices) stand between you and a batch of restaurant quality homemade chicken strips. These tenders really are that impressive and tasty. And no weird fry oil aftertaste – such a win!

• 1 lb chicken tenders.
• almond flour. Make sure the only ingredient is almonds and that they’re finely ground.
• coconut flour. if you have a coconut allergy, you can swap for cassava flour in this recipe.
• dried spices. garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.
• 1 large egg. whisked
• Frank’s Red Hot pepper sauce. Can use any red pepper cayenne sauce but Frank’s is our fave.
• white vinegar. to give that Buffalo sauce its tangy, unmistakable taste!
• cooking spray. for the air fryer basket.

How to make in the air fryer

1. Make almond flour breading. Start by combining almond flour, coconut flour (or cassava flour), spices, salt and pepper. Whisk well to combine in a shallow dish or bowl. Set aside.
2. Make egg wash. In a separate shallow bowl, whisk one egg and set aside.
3. Bread Chicken Tenders. Dip chicken tender into egg wash, then dip into the almond flour breading. Make sure both sides are evenly coated with breading.
4. Refrigerate. Once all tenders are evenly coated, refrigerate for 10 minutes to allow breading to stick. More on this below.
5. Air Fry. Preheat air fryer to 350F. Cook 8-10 minutes. Using tongs, flip and cook 2-3 more minutes. Make sure temperature of chicken is 165F. Repeat if making in batches (depending on basket size).
6. Get saucy. In a mixing bowl, combine Buffalo hot sauce and vinegar. Using tongs, toss breaded, cooked Buffalo Chicken Tenders into hot sauce mixture. Serve immediately.

Tips to ensure the breading will stick to chicken tenders:

Because the almond flour breading is gluten-free on these homemade chicken fingers, I highly suggest refrigerating for 10-15 minutes before popping into the air fryer.

• One coating is all you need; a normal egg wash, homemade breading (recipe below), and a little nonstick cooking spray. No need to overdo it. Less is more in this case.
• The real trick: bread your chicken tenders and then refrigerate for 10-15 minutes.
• This will allow the breading to stick to your chicken tenders without falling off.
• This method works whether you plan to air fry your chicken tenders OR bake them in the oven. No messy, sticky breading if you refrigerate prior to cooking. This is the same method I use when making my almond breaded pork chops and it works every time.

Buffalo Chicken Tenders in the oven

To make these gluten free chicken tenders in the oven, follow the same steps above to dredge, bread and refrigerate.

1. Preheat oven to 370F. Remove Chicken Tenders from refrigerator and add to a parchment lined baking sheet.
2. Bake at 370F degrees. for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through.
3. Remove from oven and sauce. See more below. 

Storage Tips for Buffalo Chicken Tenders

• To Store. Refrigerate these Whole30 Buffalo Chicken Tenders in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days. Wait to sauce until you’re ready to serve, if you’re making these as part of meal prep.
• To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers in the air fryer at 350 degrees F, in the oven, or the microwave.
• To Freeze. Once cooled, store in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container or resealable (freezer-safe) bag for up to 3-months. 

side dish ideas

easy sides to serve with Whole30 Buffalo Chicken Tenders

• easy roast broccoli
• zesty radish slaw
• brussels sprouts salad

whole30 buffalo chicken tenders in the air fryer

Made in the air fryer, these Whole30 Buffalo Chicken Tenders are spicy, crispy and so flavorful; perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner!

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Salad, Snack

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 277kcal

Author: Nichole Crews

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken tenders
• 3/4 cup blanched almond flour
• 2 tablespoons coconut flour - or 1 TBSP cassava flour
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper - dried spice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 large egg, whisked
• 1/2 cup Frank’s Red Hot pepper sauce - plus more to taste
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• cooking spray

Instructions

Whole30 Buffalo Chicken Tenders

• In a mixing bowl or shallow dish, add almond flour, coconut flour, spices, salt and pepper. Whisk well to combine. Set aside.
• Add 1 whisked egg to another bowl. This is your egg wash.
• Dip chicken tender into egg wash, then dip into the almond flour breading. Make sure both sides are evenly coated with breading. Once all tenders are evenly coated, refrigerate for 10 minutes to allow breading to stick.

Air Fryer Method

• Remove tenders from refrigerator. Spray with with cooking spray, and add to basket of air fryer.
• Cook 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees F. Using tongs, flip and cook 2-3 more minutes. Make sure temperature of chicken is 165F. Repeat if making in batches (depending on basket size).

Oven Method

• Preheat oven to 370 degrees F. Remove Chicken Tenders from refrigerator and add to a parchment lined baking sheet.
• Bake or 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove and toss in Buffalo sauce.

Buffalo Sauce

• In a mixing bowl, combine hot sauce and vinegar. Using tongs, toss breaded, cooked chicken tenders into hot sauce mixture. Serve immediately.

Notes

STORAGE TIPS FOR BUFFALO CHICKEN TENDERS

• To Store. Refrigerate these Whole30 Buffalo Chicken Tenders in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days. Wait to sauce until you’re ready to serve, if you’re making these as part of meal prep.
• To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers in the air fryer at 350 degrees F, in the oven, or the microwave.
• To Freeze. Once cooled, store in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container or resealable (freezer-safe) bag for up to 3-months. 

NUTRITION INFO

• one serving is for approx 4-ounces of chicken.

Nutrition

Serving: 3tenders | Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 14g | Fiber: 4g

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