Description
Crispy and spooky Air Fryer Witch Finger Chicken Tenders, perfect for a fun Halloween snack or dinner. These chicken tenders are coated in a seasoned panko breadcrumb crust and topped with whole almonds as fingernails, delivering a creepy yet delicious twist made quickly and easily in the air fryer.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken tenders or breasts, sliced into finger-shaped strips
Coating
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- 12–16 whole almonds (for fingernails)
Others
- Cooking spray or oil for air fryer basket and tenders
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Slice the chicken tenders or breasts into finger-shaped strips, then season them lightly with salt and pepper.
- Set up dredging stations: Arrange three separate bowls: one with all-purpose flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the chicken: Dredge each chicken strip first in the flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the seasoned panko breadcrumbs.
- Add almond fingernails: Press one whole almond onto the tip of each coated chicken strip to resemble a fingernail.
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Prepare for air frying: Spray the air fryer basket and both sides of the coated chicken tenders lightly with cooking spray or oil to promote browning and prevent sticking.
- Air fry the tenders: Place the chicken strips in the basket in a single layer and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even crisping on all sides.
- Serve: Remove the witch finger chicken tenders from the air fryer and serve hot with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- These chicken tenders are a fun and spooky Halloween treat that are crispy and flavorful.
- If you prefer a spicier twist, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture.
- You can substitute almonds with sliced bell peppers for a vegetable fingernail option.
- Ensure the tenders are spaced apart in the air fryer basket for even cooking and crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 4 tenders)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
