If you’re like me, you probably bought that air fryer thinking you’d only use it once in a while. Fast forward to today, and now I can’t even imagine a week without trying new chicken air fryer recipes. These honey butter garlic chicken tenders are a perfect example of why. Sweet, savory, and just a little sticky, they’ll make you wonder why you ever waited so long to give them a try. I love recipes that don’t overcomplicate my evenings. This one uses pantry staples like garlic, butter, and honey, and the air fryer makes the chicken crispy without drowning it in oil. The smell alone when the garlic and butter hit the pan is enough to pull my family into the kitchen asking, ‘When’s dinner ready?’ What I like most about this recipe is how adaptable it is. Want more garlic? Toss in another clove. Prefer a little heat? Add chili flakes. It’s one of those recipes air fryer fans will go back to again and again, whether you’re cooking for kids or just yourself. Trust me, this is one of those air fryer recipes chicken lovers will keep bookmarked.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
3) Ingredients for Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
4) How to Make Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
5) Tips for Making Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
6) Making Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
8) Try these Main Course next!
9) Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

Quick prep, only about ten minutes.
Cooks in the air fryer in under fifteen minutes.
Sweet honey, savory garlic, and buttery coating.
Crispy outside, juicy inside without deep frying.
Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

2) Easy Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe

When I first made these tenders, I didn’t expect them to become such a staple in my kitchen. The truth is, chicken air fryer recipes like this one are lifesavers on busy nights. No messy oil, no waiting around forever, just golden, crunchy chicken that’s coated in a sauce so good you’ll find yourself licking your fingers afterward. I say that with zero shame.

The blend of butter, honey, and garlic hits every note. It’s rich, it’s sweet, it’s savory, and it clings perfectly to the tenders without overwhelming them. I still remember the first time I tossed them in the sauce and thought, “Wow, I should’ve doubled this.” That’s my advice for you right now. Always double the sauce.

What makes this one stand out from other air fryer recipes chicken fans love is how quick it feels. The breading crisps up in minutes, and while the chicken cooks, you whip up the sauce. It’s the type of recipe that makes you look like you planned dinner all day, even though you just pulled it together in twenty minutes flat.

3) Ingredients for Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders

Chicken Tenders: These are the star. They cook fast and stay juicy. You can also slice chicken breasts into strips if that’s what you have on hand.

Butter: Melted butter gives the sauce a silky finish. It blends with the honey and garlic to coat every piece beautifully.

Honey: This adds sweetness that balances the garlic. I like using raw honey for depth of flavor, but any honey works well.

Garlic: Fresh minced garlic makes the sauce pop. The aroma as it cooks in butter is reason enough to make this recipe.

Olive Oil: Used to coat the chicken before breading, it helps everything stick and keeps the tenders moist.

Breadcrumbs: They provide the crispy texture we all crave in fried chicken. Panko breadcrumbs make them extra crunchy.

Parmesan Cheese: A little cheese in the breading adds a nutty, salty bite. It pairs surprisingly well with the honey butter glaze.

Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and paprika are enough to flavor the breading without stealing the spotlight.

Cooking Spray: A light spritz on the chicken helps the air fryer do its job and ensures even crispiness.

4) How to Make Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders

Step 1. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. A warm basket helps the chicken cook evenly from the start.

Step 2. Mix breadcrumbs, parmesan, salt, pepper, and paprika in a bowl. This is your crispy coating.

Step 3. Coat the chicken tenders in olive oil, then press them into the breadcrumb mix until they’re covered.

Step 4. Lay the tenders in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Spray lightly with cooking spray.

Step 5. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping once. They should be golden brown and cooked through.

Step 6. While the chicken cooks, melt butter in a pan. Add garlic and stir for about a minute until fragrant.

Step 7. Pour honey into the pan and stir. Let the sauce bubble for a moment before turning off the heat.

Step 8. Toss the crispy tenders in the honey butter garlic sauce. Serve hot and watch them disappear fast.

5) Tips for Making Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders

Give the chicken room in the basket. Crowding it keeps it from crisping. I learned this the hard way when my first batch came out more steamed than fried. Lesson learned.

Don’t skip flipping the tenders halfway. That extra step makes them crunchy on both sides instead of just one. It’s quick and worth it.

If you’re a garlic fan like me, add another clove or two. For those who want heat, chili flakes in the sauce work wonders. Recipes air fryer often feel adaptable, and this one is no exception.

6) Making Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Ahead of Time

You can prep the breaded tenders ahead and keep them in the fridge for a day before air frying. It makes weeknights smoother since all you do later is cook and sauce them. I often do this on Sunday to save myself time midweek.

If you want to freeze them, bread the tenders, freeze them flat on a tray, then move them to a bag. You can air fry straight from frozen, though they’ll need a few more minutes. The sauce can be made fresh in minutes while the chicken cooks.

I’ve found that making them ahead never hurts the texture. In fact, when I’m pressed for time, it feels like magic to pull out tenders that are already prepped and waiting.

7) Storing Leftover Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat, the air fryer is your best friend. It brings the crunch back without drying out the chicken. Microwaves work, but they can make the coating soggy.

If you have extra sauce, save it in a jar and warm it gently before serving. It makes the leftovers taste just as good as day one. I often drizzle a bit more honey when reheating for extra stickiness.

These tenders never last long in my house, but when they do, they’re just as good for lunch the next day tucked into wraps or over salad.

8) Try these Main Course next!

9) Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders