Description
These Gluten-Free Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders are a delicious and crunchy alternative to traditional chicken fingers, made with almond flour and everything bagel seasoning for a savory, crispy coating. Perfect for a healthy snack or meal, they are cooked to perfection using an air fryer or oven, delivering a flavorful and guilt-free bite without gluten.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 whole egg
- 2 tablespoons nut milk (almond or cashew)
- 1 tablespoon ghee
Dry Breading
- ½ cup almond flour
- ¼ cup everything bagel seasoning
- 2 tablespoons milled flax seed
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Main Ingredient
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins or chicken breasts sliced lengthwise into strips
Additional
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your air fryer or oven to 390°F (approximately 200°C). While the appliance is heating, prepare the egg wash and the dry breading mixture to ensure a smooth workflow.
- Make Egg Wash: In a shallow bowl, whisk together one whole egg, 2 tablespoons of nut milk (almond or cashew), and 1 tablespoon of melted ghee until thoroughly combined to create the wet mixture that will help the breading stick.
- Prepare Dry Breading: In a separate bowl, mix ½ cup almond flour, ¼ cup everything bagel seasoning, 2 tablespoons milled flax seed, and 1 teaspoon paprika. Stir well until all dry ingredients are evenly combined. Reserve half of this breading mixture in another bowl for use when the first batch becomes clumpy.
- Bread the Chicken: Individually dredge each chicken strip first in the egg wash, allowing excess to drip off, then press firmly into the dry breading mixture until fully coated. Shake off any excess crumbs. Place coated chicken strips in a single layer on a clean plate.
- Use Reserved Breading: When the first breading bowl becomes too clumped and sticky to properly coat the chicken, switch to the reserved bowl of dry breading to continue coating the remaining pieces evenly.
- Air Fryer Cooking: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange breaded chicken strips in a single layer, ensuring pieces do not touch. Lightly spray the tops until the breading looks saturated. Cook at 390°F for 6 minutes, then flip each tender and spray the opposite side. Cook for an additional 6 minutes until golden and crispy. Repeat with remaining chicken tenders.
- Oven Cooking Alternative: Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. Arrange breaded chicken strips on the sheet in a single layer. Spray tops with cooking spray until breading is visibly saturated. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes, flip each tender, spray the other side, and bake for 8 more minutes until cooked through and crisp.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: After cooking, sprinkle additional everything bagel seasoning over the chicken tenders to enhance flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy the crunchy, flavorful tenders!
Notes
- For best results, ensure chicken strips are cut uniformly for even cooking.
- Use cooking spray generously to achieve a crispy and golden crust in both air fryer and oven methods.
- Substitute ghee with melted coconut oil or olive oil if preferred.
- Everything bagel seasoning can be adjusted to taste or substituted with your favorite seasoning blend.
- These tenders are best eaten fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer to maintain crispiness.
