How To Cook Raw Chicken Tenderloins In An Air Fryer | Easy Method

Air fryers make weeknight chicken feel simple, but raw tenderloins still need the right time, temperature, and setup to turn out juicy instead of dry. When you know how to cook raw chicken tenderloins in an air fryer, you can get dinner on the table fast with very little cleanup.

This guide walks through everything from trimming and seasoning to safe internal temperature and easy variations, so you can confidently cook a batch that tastes good every single time.

Why Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins Work So Well

Chicken tenderloins are small, lean strips that cook faster than whole breasts. In an air fryer, hot air circulates around each piece, so you get browned edges while the center cooks through. That means less waiting, less oil, and a texture that still feels like it came out of a regular oven.

The main thing that matters is doneness. Chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F to be safe to eat. According to the FoodSafety.gov safe minimum internal temperature chart, that 165°F target applies to all cuts of chicken, including tenderloins, so a thermometer is your best friend here.

Cooking Raw Chicken Tenderloins In An Air Fryer Time Guide

Because air fryers and tenderloin sizes vary, thinking in ranges works better than chasing one single number. Use the chart below as a starting point, then adjust slightly based on how your own air fryer runs and how thick your chicken pieces are.

Tenderloin Thickness	Air Fryer Temperature	Approximate Cook Time*
½ inch, very thin	375°F	6–8 minutes total
¾ inch, small	380–390°F	8–9 minutes total
1 inch, average pack size	400°F	9–11 minutes total
1¼ inch, thick strips	400°F	11–13 minutes total
Lightly breaded tenderloins	390–400°F	10–12 minutes total
Heavily breaded tenderloins	390–400°F	12–14 minutes total
Frozen raw tenderloins	380–390°F	13–16 minutes total

*Always check the thickest piece with a thermometer and cook until it reaches 165°F in the center.

How To Cook Raw Chicken Tenderloins In An Air Fryer Step By Step

The steps below show you exactly how to cook raw chicken tenderloins in an air fryer from start to finish. You only need basic pantry items and about 20 minutes from fridge to plate.

Gather Ingredients And Tools

For a simple batch, you need raw chicken tenderloins, a little oil, and a few seasonings. You also need your air fryer, a bowl for tossing the chicken, and an instant read thermometer so you can check that safe internal temperature.

• 1 to 1½ pounds raw chicken tenderloins
• 1–2 tablespoons neutral oil or spray
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika
• Optional: onion powder, dried herbs, or a favorite seasoning blend

Trim And Pat The Tenderloins Dry

Lay the raw tenderloins on a board and remove any loose bits of fat or tendon. Then pat each piece dry with paper towels. Dry surface moisture helps the seasoning cling and lets the hot air in your air fryer create better browning on the outside.

Season The Chicken Evenly

Place the tenderloins in a bowl. Add oil and your seasonings, then toss with tongs or clean hands until every surface is coated. A thin layer of oil gives the edges a light crisp texture and helps spices stick. If you prefer a lighter option, spray the chicken in the basket instead of coating it in the bowl.

Preheat The Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat for 3–5 minutes. A warm basket reduces sticking and shortens the time the chicken spends in the danger zone where bacteria grow the fastest. Preheating also gives you more consistent results from batch to batch.

Arrange Tenderloins In A Single Layer

Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil, if needed. Place the seasoned tenderloins in one even layer with a little space between each piece. Crowding blocks air flow and can leave some pieces pale while others brown too much, so cook in two batches if your basket is small.

Cook, Flip, And Check The Temperature

1. Air fry at 400°F for 5 minutes.
2. Open the basket, flip each tenderloin, and slide the basket back in.
3. Cook for another 3–6 minutes, depending on thickness.
4. Use an instant read thermometer to check the thickest tenderloin in the center.

If the thermometer shows at least 165°F, your chicken is ready to rest. If it reads lower, cook for 2 more minutes and check again. Small differences in size, coating, and air fryer brand can change the time slightly, so temperature tells the real story.

Rest And Serve

Transfer the cooked tenderloins to a clean plate and let them rest for about 3 minutes. This short rest lets juices settle back into the meat instead of running onto the plate. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, over salad, or next to roasted vegetables or potatoes.

Seasoning Ideas For Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins

Once you have the basic method down, you can change the flavor each time without changing the cooking process. A few pantry items are enough to make tenderloins that work for kid friendly plates, salads, wraps, or grain bowls.

Simple Everyday Seasoning

For an all purpose batch, stick with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Add a sprinkle of dried oregano or thyme for a more savory flavor. This mix suits almost anything, from sliced tenderloins in sandwiches to quick meal prep boxes for lunch.

Crispy Breaded Tenderloins

If you like a crumb coating, set up three shallow dishes. Fill one with flour seasoned with salt and pepper, one with beaten egg, and one with breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes. Coat each piece in flour, dip in egg, then press into the crumbs. Spray both sides with oil before air frying so the coating browns evenly.

Low Carb Or Gluten Free Flavor Ideas

Skip the crumbs and build flavor with spices instead. Chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic, and a touch of cumin create a taco style batch that pairs well with lime and avocado. Lemon pepper or a ready made chicken seasoning blend also work well on tenderloins without breading.

How To Keep Chicken Tenderloins Juicy In An Air Fryer

Because tenderloins are small and lean, they go from perfect to dry if they stay in the air fryer basket too long. The tips below help you hit that sweet spot where the meat is cooked through but still tender.

Use A Thermometer Instead Of Guessing

Color and clear juices can fool you, especially under strong air fryer lighting. A thermometer removes that guesswork. Push the probe into the thickest part of a tenderloin, staying away from the pan surface. Once it reaches 165°F, you can pull the batch and let carryover heat finish the rest.

Sort By Size And Cook In Batches

Some packs of tenderloins include both tiny strips and much larger pieces. Group similar sizes together in the basket so they finish at roughly the same time. Small pieces can come out a minute or two earlier, while thicker strips stay in until they reach temperature.

Add A Quick Brine Or Marinade

For even more moisture, soak the tenderloins in a simple brine of water and salt for 20–30 minutes before cooking. Pat them dry and season as usual. You can also use a light marinade made with oil, acid, and spices; just avoid heavy sugar, which can burn near the heating element.

Safety Tips When Cooking Raw Chicken Tenderloins

Because you are starting with raw poultry, a few basic safety habits matter every time you cook. They take only a minute and help keep your kitchen safe for you and your family.

Keep Raw And Ready To Eat Foods Separate

Use one cutting board for raw chicken and another for vegetables, bread, or salad ingredients. Wash knives, tongs, and bowls that touched raw chicken before they touch cooked food. Washing with hot, soapy water between tasks is enough for home kitchens.

Follow The 165°F Rule Every Time

Public health agencies recommend cooking all chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. That number appears in USDA and FSIS safe temperature guidance, and it applies whether you grill, roast, or use an air fryer.

Cool, Store, And Reheat Leftovers Safely

Let cooked tenderloins cool slightly, then refrigerate them in a shallow, covered container within two hours of cooking. Use leftovers within three to four days. When reheating, bring the center back to 165°F. An air fryer set around 350°F warms strips in a few minutes without making them rubbery.

How Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins Help Meal Prep

Once you feel confident with this method, meal prep gets much simpler. You can season one batch five different ways or cook a double tray and use the extra strips in meals throughout the week.

Common Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloin Problems And Fixes

Even with a solid method, small details can trip you up. Use the table and notes below to fix the most common issues people run into with air fryer chicken tenderloins.

Problem	What You See	What To Adjust
Dry, stringy texture	Chicken feels tough or chalky	Reduce cook time by 2 minutes or lower heat by 10–15°F
Center still pink	Juices look reddish or cloudy	Add 2–3 minutes and recheck internal temperature
Pale, soft exterior	No browning, soft surface	Pat chicken dry, add a little more oil, avoid crowding
Uneven browning	Some pieces dark, others pale	Flip halfway, sort pieces by size, and rotate the basket
Soggy breading	Coating slides off or feels damp	Use a dry–wet–dry breading setup and spray both sides with oil
Smoke from the basket	Visible smoke or burning smell	Empty loose crumbs, avoid too much oil, and check max fill line
Sticking to the basket	Chicken tears when you flip	Spray basket lightly and let chicken release before turning

Bringing It All Together For Reliable Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins

Cooking raw chicken tenderloins in an air fryer comes down to three habits: season well, avoid crowding, and cook to 165°F in the center. With those basics and a thermometer, you can repeat the same tender, browned result whenever you pull a pack of chicken from the fridge.

Once you are comfortable with the base method, play with different seasonings, try breaded and unbreaded versions, and adjust the time a minute at a time until the texture is just how you like it. With a little practice, air fryer chicken tenderloins become one of the easiest building blocks for fast, satisfying meals at home.