how long do you cook tyson chicken tenders in an air fryer

How Long to Cook Tyson Chicken Tenders to Crispy Perfection in Your Air Fryer

Tyson chicken tenders are a quick, easy and delicious weeknight dinner staple. Their breaded, boneless chicken breast strips cook up crispy and golden in the air fryer without needing to submerge them in oil like traditional frying.

Air frying Tyson chicken tenders is not only healthier than frying, but also faster and more convenient. In about 10-15 minutes, you can enjoy juicy, crispy chicken tenders right from your air fryer.

But exactly how long should you cook Tyson chicken tenders in the air fryer for ideal texture and taste? This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know for air frying Tyson chicken tenders to crispy perfection

What are Tyson Chicken Tenders?

Tyson chicken tenders are fully-cooked, breaded chicken breast strips made from quality chicken. They contain no artificial ingredients or added hormones and steroids.

These convenient, pre-cooked chicken strips have a crispy breading and tender white meat chicken inside. They can be prepared quickly by simply heating in the oven or air fryer.

Tyson chicken tenders are sold frozen in bags containing around 15-20 ounces of chicken strips. They come ready to cook from frozen with no thawing required.

Benefits of Cooking Tyson Chicken Tenders in an Air Fryer

Air frying Tyson chicken tenders has many benefits compared to other cooking methods:

• Crispy and golden without deep frying in oil
• Cooks faster than oven (10-15 mins vs. 20+ mins)
• Less mess and splatter than stove top frying
• Allows you to cook from frozen with no thawing
• Healthier with up to 80% less fat than deep frying
• Gives great texture – tender inside yet crispy outside

By using the rapid hot air circulation of an air fryer, you can achieve that perfect crispiness you love without all the excess oil and calories of deep frying.

Step 1 – Select the Right Tyson Chicken Tenders

When buying Tyson chicken tenders to cook in your air fryer, opt for high quality frozen tenders:

• Check expiration date and packaging. Avoid any with damage/leaks.
• Pick tenders that are similar in size for even cooking.
• Make sure they are not partially thawed or ice crystals are forming.

The individual chicken strip’s size and thickness will impact cook time. Larger, thicker tenders may take a couple minutes longer.

Step 2 – Prepare the Tyson Chicken Tenders

Prepping the Tyson chicken tenders properly before air frying is important:

• No thawing required – you can cook directly from frozen state.
• Keep tenders in a single layer and avoid overcrowding for even cooking.
• For extra crispness, spray lightly with oil or cooking spray before air frying.

You can also season them before air frying if desired, but the pre-made breading provides plenty of flavor on its own.

Step 3 – Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheating is key for crispy Tyson chicken tenders straight from the freezer.

• Set your air fryer temperature to 390-400°F.
• Allow it to fully preheat for 3-5 minutes before adding the chicken.

The high heat will help the breading get ultra crispy and brown nicely.

Step 4 – Cook Tyson Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer

The ideal cooking time and temperature for perfect tenders:

• Cook at 390-400°F air fryer temperature.
• Air fry for 10-15 minutes, depending on thickness.
• Flip halfway through for even browning.

Here’s a timeline to follow:

• 0:00 – Place chicken in preheated air fryer. Do not overcrowd.
• 5:00 – Flip tenders using tongs. Cook other side.
• 10:00 – Check for browning and crispiness. Cook longer if needed.
• 12-15:00 – Tenders should be fully cooked and crispy.

The breading will turn golden brown and become crunchy while the chicken inside cooks through and remains moist.

Step 5 – Check Tyson Chicken Tender Internal Temp

Despite appearance, always check the internal temperature:

• Chicken must reach 165°F minimum internal temperature.
• Insert a meat thermometer into thickest part without touching bone.
• If under 165°F, return to air fryer for 2-3 more minutes.

This ensures any raw chicken is fully cooked for food safety.

Step 6 – Allow to Rest Before Serving

Once air fried, remove Tyson chicken tenders from the basket and let rest 1-2 minutes before serving.

The resting period allows the juices to reabsorb for a tender, juicy texture.

Tips for the Best Air Fried Tyson Chicken Tenders

Follow these handy tips and tricks for extra crispy, delicious air fried Tyson chicken tenders:

• Use cooking spray or oil for added crispness.
• Flip halfway for even browning on both sides.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
• Adjust cook time based on tenders’ thickness.
• Brush on sauces or spices after air frying if needed.
• Let chicken rest 1-2 minutes before eating for juiciness.

The Perfect Pairings for Air Fried Tyson Chicken Tenders

Serving air fried chicken tenders with complementary sides or sauces makes for a complete, crave-worthy meal. Great pairings include:

• Honey mustard or ranch for dipping.
• Crispy french fries or tater tots.
• Coleslaw, salad or roasted veggies as a side.
• Mac and cheese or mashed potatoes for comfort food.
• Hot sauce, bbq sauce or buffalo sauce to amp up the flavor.

Get creative with your favorite seasonings and condiments! The succulent, air fried tenders pair well with so many options.

Air Frying Frozen Tyson Chicken Tenders

One of the biggest conveniences of cooking Tyson chicken tenders in an air fryer is that you can cook them straight from frozen. No tedious thawing required.

• Add the frozen tenders directly to the preheated air fryer’s basket.
• Increase cook time by 3-5 minutes since they’re frozen.
• Cook at the same 390-400°F temperature as thawed chicken.
• Flip halfway and check internal temp when done.

Monitor closely to prevent overcooking the exterior before the inside thaws. Adjust time as needed for your air fryer model.

Troubleshooting Air Fryer Chicken Tender Problems

Having issues getting your Tyson chicken tender recipe just right? Here are some common problems and fixes:

If tenders are undercooked:

• Raise air fryer temperature by 25 degrees.
• Increase cook time by 2-3 minutes.
• Use a meat thermometer to confirm 165°F.

If tenders are overcooked/dry:

• Lower air fryer temperature by 25 degrees next time.
• Reduce cook time by 2-3 minutes.

If tenders are unevenly cooked:

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
• Flip all tenders halfway through.

If breading falls off:

• Press breading onto raw tenders firmly before cooking.
• Use cooking spray or oil to help breading adhere.

Carefully adjusting the time and temperature based on each batch will get you the perfect texture.

Air Fryer Care Tips for Safe Tyson Chicken Tender Cooking

To safely and properly cook Tyson chicken tenders, keep these air fryer care tips in mind:

• Refer to your model’s manual for directions and maintenance.
• Clean the fryer basket thoroughly after each use.
• Do not overfill the basket to avoid uneven cooking.
• Use care when handling – the air fryer gets very hot!
• Double check internal temperature using a food thermometer.
• Avoid touching the heating element or fryer basket when hot.

Following basic safety precautions will allow you to avoid burns or undercooked chicken.

The Takeaway for Cooking Tyson Chicken Tenders in an Air Fryer

Cooking frozen Tyson chicken tenders in the air fryer takes just 10-15 minutes for hot, crispy, golden results. The key steps include:

• Selecting high quality frozen tenders
• Preheating air fryer to 390-400°F
• Cooking for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway
• Checking internal temperature hits 165°F
• Allowing to rest before serving

Pair your perfectly cooked chicken tenders with complementary sauces, seasonings or side dishes. Enjoy this quick and easy air fryer dinner any night of the week. With minimal prep and effort required, air fried Tyson chicken tenders are sure to become a weekly staple your whole family will love.

Tyson chicken tenders typically cook in an air fryer for 10-15 minutes at 390°F (200°C), flipping halfway through.