Pretzel Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Strips

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Perfectly juicy air fryer chicken strips with a crunchy and flavor packed pretzel coating! We love, love, love cooking chicken tenders in our air fryer and this recipe for pretzel crusted chicken strips has been added to the top of our list!

Side view of a plate of air fried chicken strips next to a small dish of ketchup.

Other favorite air fryer recipes are Garlic Herb Air Fryer Pork TenderloinAir Fryer Chicken TendersAir Fryer Meatloaf, and Air Fryer Drumsticks.

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How to make air fryer chicken strips with pretzel coating?

The pretzel coating for these chicken strips is really easy to make!Chicken strips coated in pretzel crust on a wooden plate.

  1. Start by turning 2 cups of pretzels into crumbs using a food processor. If you don’t have a food processor, you an also turn them to crumbs by putting the pretzels in a ziplock bag and rolling them with a rolling pin until they turn into a small crumb. 
  2. Mix the pretzels up with Panko breadcrumbs (they make the crispiest coating) and a handful of seasonings (garlic salt, smoked paprika, and Cajun seasoning).
  3. Dip chicken tenders (make sure you pat them dry)  in a bowl of whisked eggs. Shake the chicken so the extra egg drips off. 
  4. Dip the egg coated chicken in the pretzel mixture. 
  5. Air fry for 14 minutes at 370 degrees, until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (we recommend a simple meat thermometer for this).

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Air fried chicken strips on a green and white gingham tablelcloth.

How long do pretzel coated chicken strips stay fresh?

Cooked chicken stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

What to serve with pretzel coated air fryer chicken strips?

We love serving this with Roasted Red Potatoes and Air Fryer Pickles with Tangy Dipping Sauce.

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Side view of a plate of air fried chicken strips next to a small dish of ketchup.

Pretzel Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Strips Recipe

Aileen Clark
Perfectly juicy air fryer chicken strips with a crunchy and flavor packed pretzel coating! We love, love, love cooking chicken tenders in our air fryer and this recipe for pretzel crusted chicken strips has been added to the top of our list!
4.37 from 11 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 24 minutes
Course Main Dish Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 487 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups pretzels
  • 3/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken tenders
  • Olive oil spray

Instructions
 

  • Preheat air fryer to 370°F.
  • Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Place pretzels in the bowl of a food processor. Process until pretzels are the consistency of breadcrumbs. (See note below if you don't have a food processor)
  • Combine pretzel crumbs, Panko breadcrumbs, garlic salt, paprika, and Cajun seasoning in a medium bowl.
  • Stir to combine.
  • Place eggs in a shallow bowl and whisk.
  • Pat chicken tenders dry.
  • Dip a chicken tender into the egg and shake any extra egg off.
  • Dredge egg-dipped chicken tender into pretzel coating.
  • Place coated chicken tender on prepared cookie sheet and repeat with remaining chicken.
  • Spray air fryer basket with olive oil spray.
  • Working in batches, arrange chicken tenders in the air fryer basket or tray so they are not crowded.
  • Air fry chicken strips for 14 minutes, until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
  • Repeat with remaining chicken.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

If you don't have a food processor: place pretzels in a gallon sized zip-top bag. Crush with a rolling pin until they are a small crumb.
To keep chicken warm while working in batches, place the air fried chicken strips on cookie sheet in an oven set to "keep warm" or 200°F.

Nutrition

Serving: 2chicken stripsCalories: 487kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 43gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 198mgSodium: 1197mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2g
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Collage photo of two plates of chicken strips with the words "air fryer pretzel coated chicken strips" in the center of the image.

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4.37 from 11 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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