These Whole30 and Paleo air fryer chicken tenders are perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy in the middle. They’re a healthy, low carb and gluten-free version of the classic chicken strips you can get at any restaurant. They’re flavorful, only take a few simple ingredients and 12 minutes to cook! They’re something the whole family will love and you’ll feel great after eating!
There’s so many uses for these air fryer chicken tenders, beyond just dipping them of course! I love using the leftovers on Whole30 or Paleo lettuce wraps, cut up into salads or even added to stuffed baked potatoes. You can also coat them once they’ve finished cooking in BBQ sauce or buffalo sauce. Which are also my favorite for dipping! My favorites are either Frank’s Red Hot for buffalo, or Primal Kitchen’s Whole30 and sugar-free BBQ sauce. You can find that on Thrive Market, Amazon or on their website (code PALEOBAILEY saves you 10% at checkout.)
When it comes to air fryers, they are all pretty uniform in terms of temperatures and cook times, however, some do vary slightly. You might need a few more minutes cook time for crispier chicken tenders. You’ll be able to gauge that better once you flip them halfway through! The important thing for a more uniform end result is to make sure you’re only cooking the chicken tenders in a single layer.
This requires two batches, unless you have a large air fryer, but I promise it’s well worth it! While we’re on the topic of air fryers, if you have a friend you need to get a gift for, let me tell you.. an air fryer is a great idea! I say that because I was given my air fryer as a housewarming gift and I love, love, love it. We use it all of the time. It’s especially been great (and easy enough) for my fiancé, who doesn’t “cook”, but uses our air fryer for everything. From veggies to pork chops. He’s obsessed.
Check out my list of 30 paleo and Whole30 air fryer recipes!
For the chicken tenders, you’ll only need a handful of spices, some almond flour and eggs for an egg wash. You’ll start by patting the chicken tenders dry and then dipping them into the egg wash. From there, just coat each of them with the almond flour and seasoning mixture. Into the air fryer they’ll go! With a quick flip halfway through, 12 minutes later you’ll have a much healthier, totally Whole30 version of this classic fast food meal.
I use chicken tenders specifically for this recipe, which taste exactly the same as chicken breast meat does. If you don’t have that option in stores near you, you can make your own from chicken breasts. Simply put a chicken breast on the cutting board, press your palm against the top of it and run your knife through the middle of the breast, cutting it in half. From there, you can cut each half lengthwise and have 4 tenders!
Grab my favorite Whole30 and Paleo ketchup and BBQ sauce for dipping here! (Code PALEOBAILEY saves you 10% at checkout!) Or as part of the Whole Kitchen Sink pantry staples bundle (with a free dairy-free alfredo sauce + free shipping!)
Other Whole30 Chicken Recipes You’ll Love:
Lemon Chicken & Veggie Skillet
PrintAir Fryer Chicken Tenders: Paleo, Whole30, Low Carb, Gluten-Free with Oven Instructions
These Whole30 and Paleo air fryer chicken tenders are perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy in the middle. They’re a healthy, gluten-free version of the classic chicken strips you can get at any restaurant. They’re flavorful, only take a few simple ingredients and 12 minutes to cook! They’re something the whole family will love and you’ll feel great after eating!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- Avocado oil or olive oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees. Pat the chicken tenders dry and set aside.
- In a shallow bowl, beat eggs.
- In an additional shallow bowl, combine almond flour with all spices and baking powder.
- With each chicken tender, first dip into the egg wash and then transfer to the almond flour mixture and coat all sides.
- Place each chicken tender into the air fryer basket in a single layer (will require two rounds of cooking).
- Spray the top of the chicken tenders in the basket lightly with oil, and then set the timer for 12 minutes.
- Flip after 6 minutes and spray the other side lightly with the oil.
- While they’re cooking, continue coating the remaining tenders and then repeat once chicken tenders are finished in the air fryer. Serve with dipping sauce!
Notes
Oven instructions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Coat chicken with egg and flour mixture as instructed. Place on baking sheet with the tenders evenly spaced and then cook for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Nutrition Facts:
- Serving Size: Serves 4
- Calories: 183
- Fat: 7 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.5 g
- Fiber: 1.1 g
- Protein: 26.8 g
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Brittany says
Excellent! Even my picky daughter loved it!
paleobailey says
I’m so glad to hear this! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and leave a review! <3 - B
Matt says
12 minutes…or 25 minutes…?
paleobailey says
Hey, Matt! It’s 12 minutes in the air fryer. 25 minutes for the oven (those instructions are in the notes section of the recipe card).
S. A. says
This has become to go-to chicken tenders recipe. There is so much flavor in the crust and the tenders come out tasting great every time!
Ashley says
This is amazing! I had a big batch so did it in the oven. Then had egg and flour mixture left so made some squash fries with it. The seasoning was great on those too.
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you enjoyed! The squash fries sound so good – what a great idea!!