Air Fryer Boom Boom Tenders–crispy, seasoned air fried chicken tenders with homemade boom boom sauce.

Air Fryer Boom Boom Tenders
Boom Boom Chicken is a Korean-inspired dish that features crispy on the outside and tender on the inside fried chicken tenderloins. We are going to be making it healthier by using the air fryer! The chicken is then served alongside boom boom sauce. Have you ever had boom boom sauce? It kind of reminds me of yum yum sauce! It is so good! You’re going to love dipping your crispy chicken tenders in the delightful sauce. It’s a little spicy, a little tangy, and a little sweet.
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Flour–I used all purpose flour
- Cornstarch
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Dried oregano
- Paprika–I used regular paprika but if you want it spicy then you can use smoked paprika
- Kosher salt
- Eggs
- Fresh chicken tenderloins
- Non stick cooking spray
- Mayonnaise
- Ketchup
- Sriracha
- Sweet chili sauce–this is what makes this sauce sweet. I use the chili sauce from Frank’s Red Hot* or Thai Kitchen*.
Steps
On a plate or in a pie tin, stir together the flour mixture ingredients.

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, pinch of salt and pepper.

Season the chicken tenderloins with the half teaspoon each of garlic powder, pepper, oregano, paprika and salt.

Dredge each chicken tenderloin in the flour. Then dip in the egg mixture. Then dredge in the flour again.

Place in the air fryer basket. Repeat with all chicken tenders. (I had to cook my chicken in two batches.) Spray the chicken in the basket with non stick cooking spray. Air fry at 400 degrees for 4 minutes. Flip over with tongs, spray with non stick cooking spray and air fry for 4 more minutes on the other side. Use a thermometer* to check for doneness (should be at 165 degrees).

In a bowl whisk together the boom boom sauce ingredients.

Serve the chicken with the boom boom sauce and enjoy!

Notes/Tips
- This chicken is so delicious! To make it a full meal consider serving it alongside mashed potatoes, french fries or tater tots. And then add some vegetables to the meal like salad, roasted broccoli or a slaw.
- I used my Instant vortex air fryer*. You can also use your Instant Pot with an air fryer lid.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat the chicken tenderloins by air frying for 2 minutes at 400 degrees. This will keep the breading nice and crispy.
- Other recipes you can make with sriracha are Instant Pot Or Slow Cooker Korean Beef Tacos and Instant Pot Dragon Noodles.
More Air Fryer Recipes…
Air Fryer Poor Man’s Steak
A hearty stuffed hamburger patty with cheese, bacon and pickled jalapenos cooked in your air fryer for ultimate convenience!
Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken
Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken–a healthier, air fryer version of the classic spicy fried chicken you can order when you visit Tennessee. Pin this recipe for later! Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Greg and I visited Nashville a few years ago and were instructed by a friend that we just had to visit a restaurant
Air Fryer Almost Chick Fil-A Chicken
Homemade chicken nuggets made in your air fryer. They are juicy and tender and really simple to make! They taste just as good as the restaurant.
Air Fryer Appalachian Mountain Chicken
An air fryer take on fried chicken…it’s crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. It’s everything you want in your fried chicken with way less fat and calories.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.


Air Fryer Boom Boom Tenders
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings (2 chicken tenders each) 1x
Description
Crispy, seasoned air fried chicken tenders with homemade boom boom sauce.
Ingredients
For the flour mixture
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp kosher salt
For the egg mixture
- 2 eggs
- Pinch of kosher salt
- Pinch of black pepper
For the chicken
- 10 fresh chicken tenderloins (2 pounds)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- Non stick cooking spray
Boom Boom Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- 1 Tbsp sriracha
- 2 Tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- On a plate or in a pie tin, stir together the flour mixture ingredients.
- In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, pinch of salt and pepper.
- Season the chicken tenderloins with the half teaspoon each of garlic powder, pepper, oregano, paprika and salt.
- Dredge each chicken tenderloin in the flour. Then dip in the egg mixture. Then dredge in the flour again. Place in the air fryer basket. Repeat with all chicken tenders. (I had to cook my chicken in two batches.) Spray the chicken in the basket with non stick cooking spray. Air fry at 400 degrees for 4 minutes. Flip over with tongs, spray with non stick cooking spray and air fry for 4 more minutes on the other side. Use a thermometer to check for doneness (should be at 165 degrees).
- In a bowl whisk together the boom boom sauce ingredients.
- Serve the chicken with the boom boom sauce and enjoy!
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Air Fryer

*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
I made this for dinner tonight. It was delicious!!! I served with steam veggies. Nothing is left, as usual. This chicken is super flavorful!!! I will make it again and again!!
★★★★★
I’m glad you tried it! My son keeps asking for more of that sauce.
I followed the recipe exactly but didn’t make the sauce. I had other options already made .
I will try it next time.
Happy Mother’s Day!
★★★★★
I am excited to make this recipe, but just not sure how to cook this in my instant pot with the air fryer lid. I bought the air fryer lid but never used because most of the recipes i find are for the air fryer appliance. Can you help me out. with this situation. Do you know if there is a book or website that can help me out with the air fryer lid. Love your recipes and I have your book and use it constantly. Happy Mother’s Day!.
★★★★★
Happy Mother’s day to you! I would place the chicken on some sort of trivet or rack to raise them closer to the heating element. Then air fry at 400 for 4 minutes on each side. I don’t know of a book but this video may help: https://youtu.be/wyEaZPQ8z1M