Air Fried Vegetarian "Chicken Tenders"

Air Fried Vegetarian "Chicken Tenders"
  • PREP TIME
    30 mins
  • COOK TIME
    10 mins
  • TOTAL TIME
    40 mins
  • SERVING
    4 People
  • VIEWS
    10

Relive cherished memories with this vegetarian twist on classic fried chicken, now reimagined for the air fryer! Experience the delightful crunch without the extra grease. A guilt-free indulgence perfect with your favorite dipping sauce.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

Nutrition

  • Carbohydrate
    87 g
  • Cholesterol
    123 mg
  • Fiber
    9 g
  • Protein
    77 g
  • Saturated Fat
    2 g
  • Sodium
    1172 mg
  • Sugar
    1 g
  • Fat
    6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat
    0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Set up your breading station. On a large plate, spread the flour evenly. In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth. In another shallow bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, chili powder, and salt.

02

Step

Take each imitation chicken strip and coat it thoroughly in the flour, ensuring every surface is covered. Next, dip the floured strip into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, dredge the egg-coated strip in the panko bread crumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Place the breaded strip on a clean plate. Repeat with the remaining strips.

03

Step

Preheat your air fryer to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C). This high temperature ensures maximum crispiness!

04

Step

Carefully place a single layer of coated imitation chicken strips in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Lightly spray the tops of the strips with cooking spray. (2 minutes)

05

Step

Air fry for 6 minutes, then open the fryer and use tongs to carefully flip each strip. Continue cooking for an additional 4 to 6 minutes, or until the strips are beautifully golden brown and crispy. (10 minutes)

06

Step

Remove the air-fried 'chicken' tenders from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving. Enjoy immediately with your favorite dipping sauce!

For extra crispy tenders, consider double-dredging: flour, egg, breadcrumbs, then egg and breadcrumbs again!
Adjust the cayenne pepper to your preference for spice. A pinch more or less can make a big difference.
Ensure the seitan strips are relatively dry before breading to help the coating adhere better.
If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake these in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown.

Benjamin Stroman

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.7/ 5 ( 3 Ratings)
Total Reviews: (8)
  • Nakia Krajcik

    I used gluten-free flour, and they turned out great!

  • Marcia Hauck

    The cayenne pepper gives it just the right amount of kick!

  • Macey Bahringer

    Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, or they won't get as crispy.

  • Lucie Kassulke

    I added a little smoked paprika to the breadcrumb mixture for extra flavor.

  • Johathan Swaniawski

    My family couldn't believe these weren't real chicken tenders!

  • Frida Schmidt

    These came out so crispy! My kids loved them.

  • Neil Bailey

    Next time, I'm going to try marinating the seitan before breading it.

  • Russell Funk

    These are a great meatless option for a quick weeknight dinner.

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