The Ultimate Guide: How to Reheat Chicken Tenders in an Air Fryer for Maximum Crispiness

Are you staring at those leftover chicken tenders in your fridge, wondering how to bring back their crispy glory? I’ve been there! Nothing’s worse than soggy, microwaved chicken tenders that barely resemble their former delicious selves. But guess what? Your air fryer is about to become your new best friend for leftovers!

In this complete guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to reheat chicken tenders in an air fryer to make them taste fresh and crispy again – almost like they just came out of the restaurant kitchen I’ve tested these methods multiple times with both homemade and takeout chicken tenders, so you can trust these tips really work!

Why the Air Fryer is Perfect for Reheating Chicken Tenders

Before we dive into the how-to let’s talk about why the air fryer is actually the BEST appliance for bringing your chicken tenders back to life

• Crispy Texture: The air fryer’s circulating hot air recreates that crispy exterior that makes chicken tenders so irresistible
• Speed: Way faster than waiting for your oven to preheat and cook
• Even Heating: The air circulation ensures your tenders heat evenly throughout
• Healthier Option: No need to add extra oil like you might with pan frying
• Convenience: Super easy to use with minimal cleanup

I’ve tried reheating chicken tenders in the microwave, oven, and stovetop – nothing comes close to the air fryer results. The microwave leaves them rubbery, the oven takes too long, and stovetop methods can be inconsistent. Trust me on this one!

What You’ll Need

This is super simple! Here’s all you need:

• Leftover chicken tenders (homemade or takeout)
• Air fryer
• Tongs or spatula
• Optional: cooking spray or a light mist of oil
• Optional: meat thermometer

Step-by-Step: Reheating Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

First things first – preheating is key! Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and let it heat up for about 3-5 minutes. This ensures your chicken tenders start cooking immediately when placed inside.

I use a Cosori Dual Blaze air fryer that has heating elements on both the top and bottom, which is great because I rarely have to flip foods. But don’t worry if your model is different – I’ll cover that too!

Step 2: Prepare Your Chicken Tenders

While the air fryer is preheating, take your chicken tenders out of the refrigerator. If they’ve been in there for a while, let them sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes. This helps them heat more evenly.

If your tenders look a bit dry, you can lightly spray them with a tiny bit of oil or water to add moisture. This step is totally optional though – I usually skip it if my tenders still look pretty good.

Step 3: Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket

This is probably the most important step that people mess up! Place your chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t stack them on top of each other!

If you try to reheat too many at once, they’ll steam instead of getting crispy. It’s better to do multiple batches than to crowd the basket. Trust me, the extra couple minutes is worth it for that perfect crunch!

Step 4: Reheat Those Tenders!

Here’s the actual cooking part:

1. Air fry the chicken tenders at 350°F for 3-4 minutes
2. If your air fryer doesn’t have dual heating elements, open and flip the tenders halfway through
3. Check if they’re heated through – they should reach an internal temperature of 165°F

The exact time might vary depending on:

• The size and thickness of your chicken tenders
• Your specific air fryer model
• How cold the tenders were to start

If they need more time after the initial 3-4 minutes, continue reheating in 1-minute increments until they’re hot and crispy.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Once your chicken tenders are heated through and crispy again, remove them from the air fryer with tongs or a spatula. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture!

Pro Tips for Perfect Reheated Chicken Tenders

After reheating countless batches of chicken tenders (my kids are obsessed with them!), I’ve learned a few tricks:

• Don’t overcrowd: This bears repeating – a single layer is crucial for crispiness
• Check early: Start checking at the 3-minute mark to avoid overcooking
• Use a meat thermometer: For food safety, ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F
• Add fresh seasonings: Sprinkle on some extra seasoning before reheating to refresh the flavor
• Watch the breading: If your tenders have a thick breading, they might need a touch more time

Different Ways to Serve Reheated Chicken Tenders

Why not get creative with your reheated tenders? Here are some of my favorite ways to serve them:

• Classic style: With BBQ sauce, honey mustard, ranch, or sriracha dipping sauce
• In a wrap: Slice them up and add to a tortilla with lettuce and sauce
• On a salad: Chop and add to fresh greens for a protein boost
• Chicken tender sandwich: Place between bread with lettuce, tomato, and mayo
• Chicken tender tacos: Add to corn tortillas with your favorite toppings

Comparing Reheating Methods

I’ve tried ALL the ways to reheat chicken tenders. Here’s how they stack up:

As you can see, the air fryer wins in pretty much every category!

Storing Leftover Chicken Tenders

If you’re not planning to eat all your leftover chicken tenders right away, here’s how to store them properly:

Refrigerating

• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator
• Consume within 3-4 days
• Keep tenders separated if possible to prevent them from sticking together

Freezing

• Wrap each tender individually in plastic wrap or foil
• Place in a freezer-safe bag
• Can be frozen for 2-3 months
• Label with the date so you know when they went in

Thawing

• For best results, thaw frozen tenders in the refrigerator overnight
• If you’re in a hurry, you can reheat directly from frozen – just add 2-3 extra minutes to the cooking time

FAQs About Reheating Chicken Tenders

Over the years, I’ve gotten tons of questions about reheating chicken tenders. Here are the most common ones:

Can I reheat frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer?

Absolutely! Set your air fryer to 350°F and cook for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through. They’ll need a bit more time than refrigerated tenders.

Do I need to add oil when reheating chicken tenders?

Usually not! The tenders typically have enough oil already from their original cooking. But if they look dry, a very light spray can help.

How do I know when my chicken tenders are done?

They should be hot all the way through (165°F internal temp) and have a crispy exterior. If you don’t have a thermometer, carefully cut one open – it should be steaming hot inside.

Can I reheat chicken tenders more than once?

For food safety reasons, I don’t recommend reheating chicken more than once. Only reheat the portion you plan to eat.

What’s the best dipping sauce for reheated chicken tenders?

Everyone has their favorites! I love ranch and honey mustard, but BBQ sauce, ketchup, and spicy mayo are all amazing options too.

Conclusion

Reheating chicken tenders in an air fryer is truly a game-changer. It’s quick, easy, and gives you results that are almost as good as fresh-made tenders. No more suffering through soggy microwaved leftovers!

The key takeaways:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F
• Arrange tenders in a single layer
• Reheat for 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway if needed
• Serve immediately for maximum crispiness

Next time you’ve got leftover chicken tenders, skip the microwave and pull out your air fryer instead. Your taste buds will thank you, and you’ll save money by actually enjoying your leftovers instead of tossing them out!

What’s your favorite way to enjoy reheated chicken tenders? Do you have any special dipping sauces you love? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your ideas!