Description
These Air Fryer Witch Finger Chicken Tenders are a fun and spooky twist on classic chicken tenders, perfect for Halloween parties or kid-friendly meals. Coated in a crispy seasoned panko breadcrumb crust and adorned with almond ‘fingernails,’ they offer a deliciously crunchy texture with a playful presentation. Cooked quickly and healthily in the air fryer, they make a perfect appetizer or main course with your favorite dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 10–12 sliced almonds (for fingernails)
- Olive oil spray
Dipping Sauce (Optional)
- Ketchup or barbecue sauce, for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for crisping the chicken tenders.
- Prepare Dredging Station: Set up three separate bowls: one with all-purpose flour, the second with the beaten eggs, and the third with panko breadcrumbs combined with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper for seasoning.
- Coat Chicken Tenders: Dredge each chicken tender first in the flour, ensuring an even light coating, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally press into the seasoned panko mixture, making sure each piece is well-coated for maximum crunch.
- Shape and Decorate: Slightly shape each coated tender to resemble a crooked finger for the witch finger effect. Press a sliced almond onto one end of each tender to mimic a fingernail.
- Apply Olive Oil: Lightly spray both sides of the chicken tenders with olive oil spray to promote browning and crispiness during air frying.
- Cook in Air Fryer: Arrange the tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Serve: Remove the tenders from the air fryer and serve immediately with ketchup or barbecue sauce for a spooky ‘bloody’ dipping experience.
Notes
- You can use food-safe black gel or an edible marker to add creepy nail details to the almonds for a more realistic effect.
- For extra crunch, toast the panko breadcrumbs lightly before mixing with the seasonings.
- This recipe is great for Halloween parties and is kid-friendly, making it an exciting meal or appetizer for children.