These air fryer gluten-free chicken tenders are crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and ready in under 30 minutes. Cooking them in the air fryer gives you evenly browned, crunchy breading without deep frying, making this an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
To make these tenders extra fun and easy to dip, they are cooked on skewers, but you can also make them without sticks if you prefer. I have included oven instructions as a backup option, but the air fryer method is the fastest and gives the best texture.
❤️ Sandi’s Recipe Summary
The Quick Bite: Air fryer gluten-free chicken tenders breaded with gluten-free breadcrumbs or panko and cooked on skewers for even browning. Includes tested oven instructions for making the tenders without an air fryer.
My kids were pretty excited about this recipe. Anything served on a stick automatically tastes better and is more fun to eat. Maybe not in reality, but sticks have a big appeal with my kids!
If you have been looking for a fun new dinner recipe, chicken on a stick is a great way to make dinner fun! I made this gluten-free breaded chicken tenders recipe in my air fryer and included oven-baked directions!
We make a lot of chicken dinners here in the Fearless Dining household. If you love easy chicken dinners, check out my easy gluten-free chicken recipes.
Ingredient Notes:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- Chicken Breasts – Although I used chicken breast tenders, you can cut boneless chicken thighs and use those, too.
- Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs – You can use gluten-free panko or bread crumbs. It is also very easy to make your own Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs!
- Parmesan Cheese – You can use a three-cheese grated blend or just Parmesan.
- Egg – Use size large.
If you are trying to decide on what air fryer to get, I have a great list of the best air fryers for gluten-free air frying. I include a great pros and cons list for each model.
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How to Make Air Fryer Gluten-Free Chicken Tenders:
These instructions walk you through the air fryer method first. Oven baking instructions are included below.
Step 1: Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Whisk the egg in a bowl. Add a piece of chicken and coat it in the egg mixture.
Step 3: Add the seasonings to the bread crumbs and whisk to mix. Dip a piece of chicken in the crumbs and press it into them to coat both sides.
Step 4: Place the coated tenders on the air fryer rack. Cooking the chicken tenders on skewers makes them easy to handle and fun to dip.
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Step 5: Spray the air fryer rack with oil. Place the chicken skewers onto the rack. Spray the chicken tenders with oil. This helps make the chicken crispy.
👀 Sandi Says: I recommend using a high-heat-tolerant oil, such as avocado or canola.
Step 6: Place the drip pan at the bottom of the air fryer. Gently set the rack with the chicken in the middle row. Set the temperature to 370ºF and cook for 16 minutes. You can measure the internal temperature of the chicken tenders. You want them to be 165ºF.
Oven Directions:
These gluten-free chicken tenders can also be baked in the oven if you do not have an air fryer. This method takes slightly longer and won’t be quite as crisp as the air fryer version.
- Prepare the chicken tenders the same way listed above. Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
- Spray oil on a baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Lay each coated chicken tender on the pan. Do not put them too close together.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes. Use a digital meat thermometer to double-check that the internal temperature is 165ºF.
Try these yummy sauces for dipping!
Dipping these gluten-free breaded chicken tenders is optional, but so fun! Here are some dips to try:
- Ketchup – This is pretty standard, but this is my kids’ favorite.
- The curry dipping sauce in my baked French fries recipe is perfect for these chicken tenders.
- Sky Valley makes the best gluten-free peanut sauce. (Pictured above.) It is available in most grocery stores or online.
- This homemade ranch dressing is another really great option!
You can also use this recipe to make my Gluten-Free Orange Chicken recipe!
Frequently Asked Questions:
The skewers are optional. They help with even cooking and make the tenders easy to flip and dip, but the recipe works just as well without them.
The key is using egg as a binder and pressing the gluten-free breadcrumbs firmly onto the chicken. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer so the breading can set properly and crisp evenly.
Chicken tenders should reach an internal temperature of 165ºF. A digital meat thermometer is the most reliable way to check doneness, especially when air frying.
These chicken tenders will keep fresh for up to 4 days in an airtight container or up to 4 months in the freezer. Reheat in the oven to re-crisp them.
You can reheat your chicken tenders in several ways. You can reheat the chicken tenders in your air fryer. Place the chicken into the air fryer basket and reheat them at 350ºF for 4-6 minutes. Cooking time will depend on the side you choose.
You can also reheat your chicken tenders in the oven at 350ºF for 10 minutes. If you don’t care if they stay crispy, you can reheat the chicken tenders in the microwave oven for 45-60 seconds.
More Gluten-Free Air Fryer Recipes:
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Gluten Free Breaded Chicken Tenders Skewers
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- ½ cup gluten free bread crumbs
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil
Seasonings:
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
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Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer on 370º F for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, add 1/2 cup gluten free bread crumbs and 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese. Mix well.
- In another bowl, add 1 large egg and scramble it.
- Mix the 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley together and mix well.
- Lay the 1 pound chicken tenders on a plate and sprinkle both sides iwth the seasoning mix.
- Dip each chicken tender into the egg, then immediately put in the bread crumb parmesan mixture. Turn and press to coat all sides of the chicken.
- Place onto an oiled air fryer tray or basket.
- Insert a skewer into each breaded chicken tender.
- Repeat until all of the chicken is coated. Spray the chicken tenders with oil.
- Air fry at 370º F for 15-17 minutes depending on the thickness of your chicken tenders.
- You will know they are finished cooking when they are 165º F.
Notes
- You can use store-bought gluten free bread crumbs like Alexia or Ians or make your own gluten free bread crumbs.
- Dip the gluten free chicken skewers in ketchup, ranch, this curry dipping sauce, or try Sky Valley gluten free peanut sauce!
- These skewers will keep for up to 4 days in an airtight container or up to 4 months in the freezer.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, my rule of thumb is to add more flour if your dough or batter is wet and add more liquid if the dough or batter is too dry!
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
I truly hope you enjoy this recipe. I have been testing and creating gluten-free recipes for over 15 years. Creating gluten-free recipes that do not taste gluten-free is my goal for every recipe. Sometimes I only have to test a new recipe a couple of times, and others it takes multiple times. I do this so you get reliable, delicious results every time!
The chicken tenders were a huge hit. I followed the recipe and cooked them for the time in the recipe. They were so moist, tender, and had great flavor. My husband said it the best chicken recipe we have ever had. Will definitely be making them again!
Wow, that is high kudos if your husband loved the recipe as well. Thank you!