Reheating Chicken Tenders: Air Fryer Method

Chicken tenders are a beloved comfort food, and reheating them in an air fryer is an excellent way to restore their crispy texture and juicy interior. Air fryers are compact, convenient, and circulate hot air around the food, mimicking the effect of deep frying without the excessive oil. This guide will cover everything you need to know to reheat chicken tenders in an air fryer, ensuring they come out perfectly crispy and delicious every time.

Reheating Chicken Tenders in an Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in ensuring your chicken tenders are cooked evenly and come out crispy. It is recommended that you preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact preheating temperature can vary depending on the model of your air fryer and your desired level of crispiness.

To preheat your air fryer, simply turn it on and set it to the desired temperature. Allow it to heat up for a few minutes until it reaches the set temperature. Most air fryers will have a preheat function or a preheat light that indicates when it is ready. If your air fryer does not have this feature, you can use a kitchen thermometer to check the temperature.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your chicken tenders. Take them out of the refrigerator and arrange them in a single layer on a plate or baking sheet. This will help them come to room temperature slightly, which can reduce the reheating time. You can also use this time to season your chicken tenders or coat them lightly with oil, which can enhance their flavour and crispiness.

Once the air fryer has preheated, you can carefully place the chicken tenders inside. Make sure to leave space between each tender to allow for proper air circulation, which is key to achieving that crispy texture. Now, you can set the timer and let the air fryer work its magic!

Preheating your air fryer not only ensures even cooking but also helps lock in moisture. This is essential to prevent your chicken tenders from drying out and becoming tough. By creating a hot air environment, the preheating process ensures that your chicken tenders will be juicy and tender on the inside, with a delicious crispy exterior.

Oil and season the chicken

Oil and seasoning are key components to achieving juicy and tender chicken tenders with a crispy exterior when using an air fryer.

First, pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels. This step is important as it helps the oil and seasoning stick to the chicken. Next, place the chicken tenders in a large mixing bowl and drizzle them with oil. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, or corn oil. Make sure to coat the chicken completely with the oil.

Now it's time to season the chicken. There are endless options for seasoning blends. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or try a blend of spices such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. If you like your chicken spicy, add some ground cayenne pepper to the mix. For a more classic fried chicken flavour, soak the chicken in buttermilk and season the flour with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika before breading the chicken. Alternatively, marinate the chicken in a mixture of buttermilk and hot sauce to add a bit of zing.

Once the chicken is seasoned to your liking, toss the tenders in the bowl to ensure the spices are evenly distributed on both sides. You can now proceed to arrange the tenders in the air fryer basket, taking care not to overcrowd them, and then set the timer for optimal cooking.

Arrange the tenders

When arranging the chicken tenders in the air fryer, it is important to place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This ensures even heating and prevents overcrowding. If you have a large batch of chicken tenders, it is recommended to reheat them in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding. It is also important to leave enough space between each tender to allow for proper air circulation, which helps to crisp up the tenders and prevent them from becoming soggy.

When arranging the tenders, it is also important to consider the size and thickness of the tenders. Larger and thicker tenders may require more space in the air fryer basket to ensure even heating. It is also important to note that the reheating time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the tenders, so it is important to monitor them closely and adjust the time as needed.

Additionally, if you are reheating breaded chicken tenders, they may require a slightly different arrangement in the air fryer. Breaded tenders may take longer to reheat than non-breaded ones due to the additional coating. As a result, it is important to adjust the cooking time accordingly and add 2-3 minutes to the process to ensure they are heated through.

Another factor to consider when arranging the tenders is the starting temperature of the chicken. If the tenders are straight from the refrigerator, they may take a little longer to reheat than if they are at room temperature. Therefore, it is recommended to check the internal temperature of the tenders around the 5-minute mark to ensure they have reached the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Furthermore, if you want to enhance the flavour and moisture of the tenders, you can lightly spray them with cooking oil before arranging them in the air fryer. This step is optional but can help to create a crispy finish and seal in moisture. However, if the tenders already have a high fat content, it is recommended to skip this step as adding more oil may make them greasy.

Monitor the cooking time

It is important to monitor the cooking time when reheating chicken tenders in an air fryer. While air fryers are convenient and easy to use, allowing you to multitask, you should still keep an eye on the cooking process to ensure optimal results.

Firstly, it is crucial to understand that reheating times can vary. The cooking time depends on several factors, such as the size and thickness of the chicken tenders, the air fryer model, and the starting temperature of the chicken. Larger pieces of chicken will take longer to reheat, and chicken tenders straight from the refrigerator will take a little longer than those at room temperature. Therefore, you should be prepared to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Checking the internal temperature of the chicken tenders is an accurate way to monitor the cooking time and ensure they are thoroughly reheated. The USDA guideline recommends that cooked chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Using a meat thermometer, you can check the temperature around the 5-minute mark and adjust the timing as needed.

Additionally, the type of chicken tender you are reheating can impact the cooking time. Breaded chicken tenders may take slightly longer to reheat than non-breaded ones due to the extra coating. If you are reheating breaded chicken tenders, consider adding 2-3 minutes to the overall cooking time.

To ensure even heating, it is recommended to shake the air fryer basket or flip the tenders halfway through the cooking time. This simple step helps prevent the tenders from drying out or becoming soggy by allowing hot air to circulate properly.

In conclusion, monitoring the cooking time is essential when reheating chicken tenders in an air fryer. By considering factors such as size, temperature, and breading, and using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, you can ensure that your chicken tenders are thoroughly reheated and maintain their desired texture and taste.

Check for doneness

Checking for doneness is a crucial step in ensuring your chicken tenders are not only tasty but also safe to eat. The last thing you want is to bite into a dry, overcooked tender, or worse, one that hasn't been heated thoroughly and poses a health risk.

The first thing to consider is the cooking time. Reheating times can vary depending on the size and thickness of the tenders, as well as the air fryer model. Larger pieces will take longer to heat through, and different air fryer models may require slight adjustments in temperature and time. As a general guideline, set your air fryer to reheat for 4-5 minutes for refrigerated chicken tenders. If you're reheating frozen chicken tenders, you'll need to increase the time to around 10 minutes.

Halfway through the cooking time, it's good practice to shake the basket or flip the tenders to ensure even heating. This is especially important if you're cooking breaded tenders, as the coating may cause them to take slightly longer to reheat than non-breaded ones. After the initial heating time, check the tenders. If they need more time, continue to reheat in 1-2 minute increments until they reach your desired level of crispiness and warmth.

To ensure food safety, it's essential to check the internal temperature of the chicken tenders. The USDA guideline for the internal temperature of cooked chicken is 165°F (74°C). You can use a meat thermometer to check this. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the tender to get an accurate reading. If the tenders haven't reached this temperature, continue reheating in short increments until they do.

Checking for doneness is a balance between ensuring the tenders are thoroughly heated and preventing overcooking, which can lead to dry and unappetizing chicken. By monitoring the time, temperature, and internal doneness, you can achieve juicy and crispy chicken tenders that taste just like they did when they were first made.

Frequently asked questions