In just 20 minutes with minimal effort, you can have a plate of crispy air fried chicken tenders coated in flamin’ hot Cheeto crumbs! I’ve noticed something about hot Cheetos – those who love them really love them. When I’ve served these chicken tenders at parties and game days, I’m always shocked at how fast they fly off the plate. They’re pretty addictive, especially for those (like me) who love a bag of hot Cheetos once in a while! The best part? They really couldn’t be any easier to make.
What’s in air fryer flamin’ hot chicken tenders?
You only need 5 ingredients to make this easy recipe! Here are three that really stand out:
Chicken Tenders: You can buy them already sliced into tenders, or buy chicken breasts and slice those up instead. Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Crumbs: Try not to sneak too many bites before you crush up the bag into crumbs! Parmesan Cheese: For the very best texture and flavor, consider freshly grating the cheese right off the block.
How to Store and Reheat
One of my favorite things about the air fryer is that it’s easy to reheat crispy foods and they taste just like they were freshly cooked! Leftover Flamin’ hot chicken tenders will keep well, covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, let the cooked tenders come up to room temperature before placing them in the preheated air fryer at 375°F and heat cook for around 4 minutes until warmed through.
How to Freeze
Once the cooked tenders are fully cooled to room temperature, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Don’t forget to date and label!
Notes and Tips
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. The tenders should be in a single layer, so cook them in two batches if needed. If you don’t have chicken tenders, you can make these with slices of chicken breast. Use an instant read thermometer to check that your flamin’ hot chicken tenders are cooked through. They should register at 165°F. This is such a fun meal. Play with the unique flavors when serving and make your kid’s dinner a dream! I love to serve alongside fun desserts like this matcha ice cream.
More Chicken Tender Recipes
Buffalo Chicken Tenders Instant Pot Chicken Tenders Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders Crispy Fried Chicken Tenders
