Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Choose large and fresh for tender strips
• Egg: Adds moisture for the breading to stick plus gives the breading a golden finish
• Cornflake cereal: Crushed for a crispy flavorful coating go for unsweetened for a classic crunch
• Kosher salt: Seasons each layer use flake salt for best flavor
• Black pepper: Adds a grounding savory flavor freshly ground is best
• Smoked paprika: Lends subtle smokiness adds depth and color Spanish smoked paprika is worth seeking out
• Cayenne pepper: Lends subtle heat adjust amount to your spice level
• Dried thyme: Brings herby freshness check for good color and aroma
• Onion powder: Delivers mellow onion flavor always check for freshness
• Garlic powder: Adds that classic savoriness buy garlic powder without caking agents
• Unsalted butter: Gives richness and body to the hot honey
• Honey: Brings signature sweetness use local or floral honey for extra flavor
• Hot sauce: Your favorite brand will transform the honey into a fiery drizzle try to match your desired heat level
• Cooking oil spray: A must for air crispiness avocado oil spray does not overpower the flavor
• Fresh parsley: Offers a burst of color and freshness for garnish optional but lovely

Step by Step Instructions

Crush the Cornflakes:

Crush cornflake cereal by sealing in a plastic bag and rolling with a rolling pin or pulsing in a food processor until you have fine crumbs. This step ensures even breading that sticks well and crisps evenly

Prep Coating Stations:

Set up two shallow bowls for dredging and an empty plate. In one bowl, whisk the egg with a splash of water until totally smooth which makes dipping easier and coating more even. In the other bowl, thoroughly combine crushed cornflake crumbs with your salt, pepper, smoked paprika, cayenne, thyme, onion powder, and garlic powder for even seasoning in every bite

Prepare the Chicken:

Slice your chicken breasts into even strips so they cook at the same rate. Pat them dry with paper towels for best breading adhesion

Bread the Chicken:

Dip one chicken strip at a time into the egg mixture turning to coat completely and letting excess drip off so the coating does not get soggy. Then transfer to the cornflake mixture pressing gently until fully coated. Lay breaded tenders on a plate. Repeat for all strips which helps your hands stay cleaner and keeps your coating crunchy

Air Fry the Chicken:

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees. Spray the basket lightly with oil. Arrange chicken tenders in a single layer with space between each—this is key for proper crisping. Spray the tops with more oil. Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes flipping halfway until golden brown and the centers reach 165 degrees

Make Hot Honey Sauce:

While chicken cooks, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the honey and hot sauce and let simmer for a minute or two to thicken slightly. This way the sauce will cling to the chicken perfectly

Finish and Serve:

Drizzle hot honey sauce generously over the crispy chicken tenders. Garnish with chopped parsley if you like. Serve piping hot—my family loves these with cold ranch dressing on the side for dipping

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My favorite part is actually the hot honey sauce sometimes I make extra just for dipping fries. Watching my kids dunk these tenders with big grins brings me right back to my own childhood dinner table when anything with spicy honey felt special.

Storage Tips

Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat and restore the crispy coating simply place the tenders back in the air fryer for three to four minutes at 350 degrees. You can also freeze cooked tenders for up to two months—just reheat them straight from the freezer in the air fryer until hot and crisp.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you are short on cornflakes panko or crushed rice cereal also delivers a good crunch. Swap out the spices to match what you have or your heat preference. Bottled hot honey works perfectly in a pinch just drizzle over the finished tenders.

Serving Suggestions

Pile these chicken tenders on a platter with extra hot honey and cool ranch or blue cheese dipping sauce. They are also fantastic cut up over salads tucked into wraps or loaded onto sliders for party snacks.

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Cultural and Historical Context

Chicken tenders have roots in American comfort food traditions but this recipe borrows inspiration from Southern hot honey fried chicken. Spiced honey drizzles are an old tradition in Southern U S kitchens where sweetness tempers fiery pepper heat. Air frying brings that nostalgia home without mess or tons of oil.

Recipe FAQs

→ How do I ensure the chicken stays juicy?

Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts and avoid overcooking. Check for an internal temperature of 165°F for best results.

→ Can I substitute the cornflake coating?

Yes, panko breadcrumbs can stand in, but cornflakes deliver extra crunch and unique flavor.

→ Is it possible to bake these instead of air frying?

Absolutely! Bake at 400°F on a wire rack for 20-23 minutes, turning halfway for even browning.

→ What type of hot sauce works best in the honey glaze?

Use your favorite hot sauce brand to control heat and flavor; classic cayenne-style sauces offer great balance.

→ Can I make the hot honey sauce in advance?

Prepare the sauce ahead and store in the fridge. Gently reheat before drizzling for smooth consistency.

→ How should I serve these chicken tenders?

They're perfect with a sprinkle of parsley and a side of ranch or blue cheese dip to mellow the spice.