Hot Cheeto Chicken Tenders (Air Fryer)
This Hot Cheeto Chicken Tenders recipe is SO EASY! Crispy, spicy, and juicy chicken strips made perfectly in your air fryer for a fun and addictive meal.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Baking Sheet
- Mixing Bowls
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 1 cup Flamin’ Hot Cheetos crumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs beaten
- 1 pound chicken tenders about 12 tenders, thawed if frozen
- Buttermilk ranch dressing for dipping
- Blue cheese dressing for dipping
Instructions
- Start by setting up your breading station. You’ll need three shallow bowls: one for the flour, one for the beaten eggs, and the last for the mixture of crushed Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and Parmesan cheese.
- If you haven't done so yet, crush the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos into fine crumbs by placing them in a zip-top bag and using a rolling pin or blending them in a food processor until finely crushed.
- Take each chicken tender and coat it first in the all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing any extra to drip off before transferring it to the Cheetos and Parmesan mixture. Press firmly to ensure a good coating.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes to achieve a crispy exterior.
- Arrange the coated chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding. Air fry for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove the tenders from the air fryer and let them rest for a minute. Serve hot with buttermilk ranch and blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Notes
- Use gluten-free flour or almond flour to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Substitute crushed pork rinds for Cheetos for a low-carb version.
- Adjust the amount of Flamin' Hot Cheetos to control the spice level to your preference.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat in the air fryer for best texture.
- Freeze uncooked breaded tenders in a single layer, then transfer to a bag for up to 3 months. Cook from frozen with extra air frying time.