Sometimes you just need a dinner that’s crunchy, saucy, and hits the spot without trying too hard—this is that dinner. These air fryer honey BBQ chicken tenders are breaded in crushed cornflakes for the kind of golden crisp you can hear, then coated in a sweet and smoky honey BBQ glaze that clings to every bite.

They’re great for everything from low-effort weeknight meals to weekend snacking situations—think game night, movie marathons, or just an excuse to eat with your hands. No frying, no mess, just juicy tenders with big payoff.

Always looking for your next air fryer hit? I’ve got you—here are a few more recipes worth a spot in your weekly rotation:

Ingredients

Uncooked chicken tenders: Tender, juicy, and quick-cooking. You can also slice chicken breasts into strips if that’s what you have on hand.
Garlic powder: Adds bold, savory flavor throughout the breading and sauce.
Smoked paprika: Brings that smoky depth that pairs so well with BBQ. Regular paprika works too, but the smoked variety is a game-changer.
Onion powder: Subtle sweetness and umami – it’s in both the coating and the sauce to layer the flavor.
Salt & black pepper: Don’t skip these, as they really bring the flavors together!
Cornflakes: The secret to a super crispy coating! You can sub with panko if needed, but cornflakes give the best crunch.
All-purpose flour: Helps the egg and cornflake coating stick to the chicken.
Eggs: Acts as the glue between the flour and cornflakes. Beat them well so the coating sticks evenly.
Cooking spray: Helps the coating get crispy and golden in the air fryer without needing oil.
BBQ sauce: Go for your favorite brand or flavor – smoky, sweet, spicy – whatever you love will work here.
Honey: Balances out the tanginess of the BBQ sauce with a little sticky sweetness. You can dial this up or down to taste.

How To Make Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders

If you’re the print-it-and-go type, there’s a handy recipe card waiting for you at the bottom of this post. But if you like a little visual guidance, here are the step-by-step instructions with process photos to walk you through it.

Pat the chicken tenders dry with a paper towel, then season both sides with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.

Now set up your breading station. In the first shallow bowl, stir together ½ cup flour with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. In the second bowl, add 1½ cups crushed cornflakes and season with 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder. In a third bowl, whisk 2 large eggs until smooth.

One at a time, dredge each chicken tender in the seasoned flour, dip it into the eggs, and then press it into the crushed cornflakes. Make sure each piece is fully coated on all sides — that’s what gives it that crispy finish.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and spray the basket with cooking spray. Place the chicken tenders in a single layer in the basket (don’t overcrowd — cook in batches if needed). Give the tops a light spray with cooking oil. Air fry for 5–6 minutes, then flip, spray again, and cook for another 7–10 minutes, until golden and fully cooked through. (Cook time may vary slightly depending on the size of your tenders.)

While they’re cooking, make your honey BBQ sauce. In a small bowl, mix together ½ cup BBQ sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon onion powder.

When the tenders are hot out of the air fryer, toss them in the sauce until they’re fully coated and glossy. Serve warm and enjoy!

Recipe Notes & Tips

Don’t overcrowd the air fryer: Give your tenders some breathing room so they crisp up properly. Cook in batches if you need to.
Preheat if needed: Some air fryer models require preheating, and others don’t—check your manual to be sure for best results.
Crush the cornflakes finely: For a more even, crisp coating that sticks better and browns beautifully.
Spray generously: A light coating of cooking spray before air frying (and again when flipping) helps the tenders get extra crispy.
Keep an eye on thickness: If your tenders are thick, you may need to add a few extra minutes of cook time to make sure they’re fully done.

Serving Ideas

Classic combo: Serve with a side of crispy fries or potato wedges and coleslaw for that diner-style feel.
Lighter plate: Pair with a fresh green salad, cucumber slices, or roasted veggies for a balanced meal.
Sandwich style: Tuck the tenders into a toasted brioche bun with lettuce and pickles for an epic chicken sandwich.
Kid-friendly option: Slice them into bite-sized pieces and serve with a little ranch or extra honey BBQ on the side for dipping.
Game day platter: Set them out with toothpicks and a trio of dips – ranch, honey mustard, and extra BBQ sauce – and watch them disappear.

Print Recipe

Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders

Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in a sweet and smoky honey BBQ sauce—these air fryer chicken tenders are an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner or snack. Cooked to golden perfection without deep frying!

Prep Time15

Cook Time20

Total Time35

Course: Main Course

Servings:

Ingredients

1.5 lb uncooked chicken tenders
3½ tsp garlic powder divided
3 tsp smoked paprika divided
3½ tsp onion powder divided
1 tsp salt divided
1 tsp black pepper divided
2 cups cornflakes crushed
1½ cups all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
Cooking spray
1 cup BBQ sauce
¼ cup honey

Instructions

Pat the chicken tenders dry with a paper towel, then season both sides with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
Now set up your breading station. In the first shallow bowl, stir together ½ cup flour with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. In the second bowl, add 1½ cups crushed cornflakes and season with 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder. In a third bowl, whisk 2 large eggs until smooth.
One at a time, dredge each chicken tender in the seasoned flour, dip it into the eggs, and then press it into the crushed cornflakes. Make sure each piece is fully coated on all sides — that’s what gives it that crispy finish.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and spray the basket with cooking spray. Place the chicken tenders in a single layer in the basket (don’t overcrowd — cook in batches if needed). Give the tops a light spray with cooking oil. Air fry for 5–6 minutes, then flip, spray again, and cook for another 7–10 minutes, until golden and fully cooked through. (Cook time may vary slightly depending on the size of your tenders.)
While they’re cooking, make your honey BBQ sauce. In a small bowl, mix together ½ cup BBQ sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon onion powder.
When the tenders are hot out of the air fryer, toss them in the sauce until they’re fully coated and glossy. Serve warm and enjoy!

And there we have it—crispy, juicy chicken tenders tossed in a sticky-sweet honey BBQ glaze that’s pure comfort food magic. Whether you’re serving them up for game day, weeknight dinner, or just because you’re craving something crispy and saucy, these are guaranteed to hit the spot.

If you try this recipe, I’d really love to hear what you think! Don’t forget to leave a star rating and a quick comment below—it helps more people find the recipe and lets me know what you’re loving.