Frozen chicken strips are quick and easy to make in the air fryer and so dippable! Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, this classic finger food makes a great snack or a side to fries.
People typically use the terms chicken fingers, chicken tenders, and chicken strips somewhat interchangeably when describing this breaded chicken.
While there are some slight differences (e.g. different cuts of meat), they don’t really matter when making the frozen version in the air fryer – our temperature and time guidelines will work for either!
Recipe Tips
- There is no need to thaw the chicken strips first. You also don’t need to spray them with oil. Simply add them to the preheated air fryer from frozen.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Otherwise, the chicken strips might not get as crispy.
- Your exact cooking time can vary since some brands of chicken strips might be thicker cut. Your air fryer might also cook hotter or cooler than the one we use.
- The chicken strips should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). You can check this with an instant-read thermometer.
- Serve the chicken strips hot and crispy for the best taste.
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Step-by-Step Instructions
First, preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (about 195 degrees Celsius). When the air fryer is preheated, add the frozen chicken strips in one even layer with space between them.
Cook the chicken strips for about 6 minutes, then flip them over and cook for another 5-6 minutes, or until fully heated and crispy.
These times are approximate and can vary depending on the air fryer and brand of chicken strips used.
Once fully heated and crispy on the outside, remove the chicken strips from the air fryer. You can serve them with your preferred dipping sauce, e.g. plum sauce, or as a side with fries.
Storage Tips
Air-fried chicken strips actually store quite well. Allow them to cool, then store them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. They may lose some of their crispness over time, so eat them sooner rather than later.
To reheat them, you can always toss them back in the air fryer to draw out some of the excess moisture or pop them in the microwave for a few seconds if you don’t care about them being crispy.
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Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Strips
Ingredients
- 6 frozen chicken strips, or however many you can fit without overcrowding
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (about 195 degrees Celsius).
- When the air fryer is hot, add the frozen chicken strips in one even layer with space between them.
- Air fry the chicken strips at 380 degrees Fahrenheit (195 degrees Celsius) for 5-6 minutes, then flip them over, and cook for another 5-6 minutes, or until the chicken strips are fully heated and crispy.
- Remove the chicken strips from the air fryer and serve them with your preferred dipping sauce, such as plum sauce, or as a side with fries.
Video
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer so the chicken strips can cook and crisp evenly.
- You don’t need to thaw the chicken first and you don’t usually need additional oil spray.
- The chicken strips should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). The exact cooking time can vary depending on your air fryer and the size and thickness of the chicken strips.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
I love air fryer chicken strips! They are so crispy and delicious!