Air-Fried Buttermilk Chicken Tenders with Maple-Dijon Glaze
Crispy, juicy chicken tenders made in the air fryer with a tangy maple-dijon glaze—ready in under 30 minutes. This american-inspired air fryer (gluten-free-option) ready in about 39 minutes pairs chicken tenders, buttermilk, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken tenders
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Step 1: Whisk 1 cup buttermilk in a bowl with 1 tsp paprika. Add 1.5 lbs chicken tenders, coating well, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Mix 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp cornstarch, and 1/2 tsp paprika in a shallow dish. Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off, then dredge in flour mixture until fully coated.
- Step 3: Arrange coated tenders in a single layer in an air fryer basket. Spray lightly with cooking oil and cook at 375°F for 12-14 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
- Step 4: While chicken cooks, whisk 2 tbsp maple syrup and 1 tbsp Dijon mustard in a small bowl. Drizzle over cooked tenders and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Air-Fried Buttermilk Chicken Tenders with Maple-Dijon Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 39 minutes (25 min prep + 14 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Air-Fried Buttermilk Chicken Tenders with Maple-Dijon Glaze?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken tenders from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Air-Fried Buttermilk Chicken Tenders with Maple-Dijon Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Air-Fried Buttermilk Chicken Tenders with Maple-Dijon Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Air-Fried Buttermilk Chicken Tenders with Maple-Dijon Glaze gluten-free-option?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free-option based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 14-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
