Dairy-Free Air Fried Chicken Tenders
Crispy, golden, and irresistibly delicious, these Dairy-Free Air Fried Chicken Tenders are a healthier twist on a crowd-pleasing classic. Perfectly seasoned and coated in a crunchy breadcrumb crust, these tenders are made without dairy, using an easy almond milk and apple cider vinegar mixture as a buttermilk substitute. Air frying delivers that satisfying crunch with minimal oil, making this recipe both lighter and more wholesome. Ready in just 35 minutes, they’re ideal for a quick dinner or snack and pair perfectly with your favorite dipping sauces. Whether you follow a dairy-free lifestyle or simply want a lighter version of a favorite comfort food, this recipe is sure to impress!
Smart Nutrition Tracking with SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Chicken breast tenders
- 1 cup Almond milk (unsweetened)
- 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs (dairy-free)
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
In a small bowl, combine the almond milk and apple cider vinegar to create a buttermilk alternative. Let it sit for 5 minutes while it curdles slightly.
In a separate shallow dish, mix together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
Place the dairy-free breadcrumbs in another shallow dish.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
Pat the chicken tenders dry with a paper towel. Dip each tender into the almond milk mixture, then dredge in the seasoned flour, shaking off any extra.
Dip the floured chicken back into the almond milk mixture, then press into the breadcrumbs, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
Lightly coat each breaded chicken tender with olive oil spray on both sides.
Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap. You might need to cook them in batches.
Air fry the chicken tenders at 400°F (200°C) for 7-8 minutes, then flip them and cook for an additional 7-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
401 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 6.0 g | 8% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.2 g | 6% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 96 mg | 32% | |
| Sodium | 763 mg | 33% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 42.2 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.1 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.9 g | ||
| Protein | 41.3 g | 83% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 153 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 3.2 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 391 mg | 8% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
