My frozen chicken strips took 15 minutes at 350°F in a preheated air fryer. They came out wonderfully crispy, and this is such an easy lunch or dinner.

Frozen chicken strips in the air fryer are one of those easy meals that everybody is happy about. The kids love them, there's barely any prep, and the breading gets wonderfully crispy. Add a dipping sauce and you've got lunch or dinner without much work.

I use Perdue Crispy Chicken Strips, the fully cooked, frozen breaded breast strips in the 26-ounce bag. They're a little pricier than some of the other bags in the freezer aisle, but for me, they're always worth it. They're delicious, quick, and easy. They're one of those freezer staples I'm happy to spend a little more on.

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How long do frozen chicken strips take in the air fryer?

The bag I used suggests six minutes, but that hasn't been enough for the crunch I want. My batch took 15 minutes at 350°F after preheating. Start checking around 12 minutes, especially if you have smaller pieces. The brand, strip size, and how full your basket is can change the timing.

You're looking for a crisp coating and chicken that's hot all the way through. I check the thickest strip with a thermometer and aim for 165°F. By then, they're usually getting to the texture I like, too.

How to cook frozen chicken strips in the air fryer

1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F, following your appliance's instructions.
2. Put the frozen chicken strips in a single layer in the basket, leaving some room around them. Cook in batches if you need to. Don't thaw them first.
3. Air fry for about 12–15 minutes. My Perdue strips took 15 minutes; start checking around 12 minutes. I like to flip them halfway through to help both sides crisp up, but you don't have to flip every strip.
4. Check that the strips are hot throughout and have the crunch you want. I aim for 165°F in the thickest part. Follow the reheating directions on your bag, and add a little more time if needed.
5. Carefully lift them out with tongs, let them cool enough to eat, and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

A few things that help them get crispy

• Give them some space. A pile of chicken strips makes it harder for the air to reach the breading. One layer works better.
• Check the smaller pieces first. If your bag has a mix of sizes, you can take the smaller strips out while the larger ones finish.
• Keep the sauce on the side. That way you get to enjoy the crispy coating instead of covering it up right away.

If the breading is still soft, give the strips a little more time and check that the basket isn’t crowded. My guide to why air fryer food isn’t getting crispy has more help.

What if your air fryer does not require preheating?

Follow your appliance's instructions, set it to 350°F, and begin checking the strips around 12 minutes. A cool start can need extra time, so keep cooking until the chicken is hot throughout and the coating is as crisp as you like.

Can you use another brand?

Yes, but check the bag first. These directions are for fully cooked, frozen breaded chicken strips. You can use fully cooked frozen breaded chicken tenders, too, but the size and coating may change the cooking time. Other brands can have different sizes and reheating instructions, so use the timing here as a starting point and check as they cook. Frozen raw chicken needs its own cooking directions.

Do you have to flip them?

I like to flip them halfway through, but it isn't mandatory. It's an easy way to give the underside a little attention. If you leave them alone, just check both sides before deciding they're done.

What to serve with chicken strips

Keep it easy with fries, tater tots, or mac and cheese. Ranch, barbecue sauce, or honey mustard all work for dipping. You can also slice the cooked strips for a wrap or sandwich when you want to change things up.

For more dinner ideas, browse my air fryer chicken recipes.