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So, you’ve got a half-empty box of cheesy crackers—maybe Goldfish or Cheez-Its (no judgment here)—floating around your pantry, and your kids are suddenly too grown-up for them or decided they’re taking a “break.” No matter how many times you try to offer them, it’s like they’ve been exiled to the snack shelf. Or maybe they only like the extra-cheesy kind now and you’re stuck with a Costco-size box of the regular ones.
Fear not, fellow mom! This cheesy cracker chicken tender recipe is the perfect solution to clean out your pantry and turn those ignored crackers into something your kids will actually devour. Plus, it’s a fun way to get your kids involved in the kitchen—bonus points if you can convince them it’s a “cheese explosion” (no promises, but it’s worth a shot).
Table of Contents
What You’ll Need for Cheesy Cracker Chicken Tenders
- 2 cups cheesy crackers (Goldfish, Cheez-Its, whatever you’ve got—crushed!)
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1 cup flour (for a little extra crunch)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional, but we like a little flavor boost)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder (again, optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Directions For Cheesy Cracker Chicken Tenders
- Preheat the Oven & Prepare the Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or spray it with cooking spray to save yourself from a messy cleanup). Let’s get that oven nice and toasty so these chicken tenders bake to crispy perfection. - Crush Those Crackers
Take your cheesy crackers and crush them into fine crumbs. You can do this with a rolling pin, or if you’re feeling extra, just throw them in a food processor. It’s like you’re making homemade breadcrumbs—only, you know, way more fun and cheesy. Set the crumbs aside. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the crushed cheesy crackers and mix well. - Prepare the Dipping Stations
Set up a little assembly line. First, the flour mixture, then the beaten eggs in a second bowl, and finally, the cheesy cracker crumbs in a third bowl. - Coat the Chicken
Take each chicken tender and dip it into the flour mixture, coating it well. Next, dunk it into the egg, and then press it into the cheesy cracker crumbs, making sure it’s completely covered. Think of it like your chicken is going for a cheesy bath—spa day vibes. - Bake Those Tenders
Place your coated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they’re golden brown and crispy on the outside, with a juicy tender center. Chef’s kiss. - Serve & Watch Them Vanish
Serve up your cheesy cracker chicken tenders with a side of ranch, ketchup, or your kids’ favorite dip. (Pro tip: If they’re picky about dips, just serve them in tiny cups so they feel like they’re at a restaurant. Kids love that.)
Air Fryer Version
To cook these cheesy cracker chicken tenders in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Coat the chicken tenders in flour, egg, and crushed cheesy crackers, then lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the chicken in a single layer and air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety. Once they’re done, serve them up and enjoy!
How to Make Cheesy Cracker Chicken Nuggets
Want to turn these tenders into bite-sized nuggets? It’s easy! Just cut the chicken into small, nugget-sized pieces before coating them in the flour, egg, and crushed cheesy crackers. Since nuggets are smaller, they’ll cook a little faster—air fry them at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, or bake them at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping once. Just like the tenders, make sure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety. These cheesy cracker nuggets are perfect for little hands (or for sneaking a few straight off the pan for yourself)!
10 Creative Ways to Use Up Cheesy Crackers
Here are some other fun ideas for incorporating those cheesy crackers into meals:
- Meatloaf: Use crushed cheesy crackers in place of breadcrumbs for extra flavor.
- Casseroles: Sprinkle crushed crackers on top of casseroles for a cheesy, crispy topping.
- Chicken Parmesan: Use crushed crackers as part of the breading for an easy, cheesy twist on chicken parm.
- Mac and Cheese: Top baked mac and cheese with crushed crackers for added crunch.
- Cheesy Crackers Crust for Fish or Pork: Coat fish fillets or pork chops in crushed crackers for a crispy, flavorful crust.
- Cheesy Crackers Crumbs on Roasted Vegetables: Toss vegetables like cauliflower or zucchini in crushed crackers before roasting for added crunch and flavor.
- Mini Meatballs: Use crushed cheesy crackers instead of breadcrumbs to bind mini meatballs and give them a cheesy kick.
These ideas can help you make the most of those crackers and turn them into delicious, unexpected additions to your meals!
How to Store Leftovers
Once you’ve made these cheesy cracker chicken tenders, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just be sure to let them cool completely before storing to keep them from getting soggy.
How to Reheat Chicken Tenders
To reheat your chicken tenders and bring back that crispy texture, pop them in the air fryer or oven. For the air fryer, heat at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes. In the oven, you can reheat at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, until they’re warmed through and crispy again. You can also zap them in the microwave for 30-second increments until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F – they just might be a little soggy instead of crispy.
Cooking Temperature & Food Safety
When cooking chicken, always ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F to guarantee it’s safe to eat. Use a food thermometer to check the thickest part of the chicken tenders to avoid any food safety issues.
Can You Freeze Cheesy Cracker Chicken Tenders?
Yes! You can absolutely freeze these chicken tenders for later. After cooking, let them cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 1-2 hours. Once they’re frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can stay in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat From Frozen
To reheat your frozen chicken tenders, cook them in the air fryer or oven at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re crispy and heated through. Now you’ve got an easy, make-ahead meal on hand whenever you need it!
Enjoy!
And there you have it—a simple, fun way to use up all those cheesy crackers your kids are “too old” for. Who knew turning snack leftovers into a meal could be this easy?
Oh, and if you really want to keep it low-effort, skip all of these steps and grab some store-bought chicken tenders. It’s totally okay! We’ve all had those days when cooking feels like running a marathon in a onesie, and that’s when those frozen tenders can be a lifesaver.
Remember, no one’s judging your pantry-cleaning genius here. Only cheers and high fives. Happy cooking!
Cheesy Cracker Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Cheesy crackers Goldfish, Cheez-Its, etc
- 1 lb Raw chicken breasts
- 1 Cup Flour
- 2 Eggs beaten
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or spray it with cooking spray).
- Crush your cheesy crackers into fine crumbs. You can do this with a rolling pin with the crackers in a freezer bag or by adding them to a food processor. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper to the crushed crackers and mix well.
- Set up an assembly line with flour, beaten eggs, and crushed crackers in three separate, shallow bowls.
- Take each chicken tender and dip it into the flour mixture, coating it well. Then dunk it into the eggs, and finally press into the cracker crumbs, coating the tender evenly.
- Place your coated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they're golden brown and crispy on the outside – 165°F internal temperature.
Airfryer option
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Coat chicken tenders in flour, egg, and crushed cheesy crackers.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. Check the internal temperature—make sure it reaches 165°F.
