Craving crispy, juicy chicken wings without the grease and mess of deep frying? Air fryer chicken wings are the perfect solution! They deliver that irresistible golden-brown crunch and tender, flavorful meat in a fraction of the time with significantly less oil. Whether you’re preparing for game day, a family dinner, or just satisfying a wing craving, this foolproof guide will help you create restaurant-quality wings right in your kitchen.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Why Air Fryer Chicken Wings Are Better
Air fryer chicken wings have become incredibly popular for good reason. The circulating hot air creates an amazingly crispy exterior while keeping the inside perfectly juicy. Here’s why you’ll love making wings in your air fryer:
- Healthier Option: Uses significantly less oil than deep frying
- Quick Cooking: Ready in just 22-25 minutes total
- Extra Crispy: The circulating hot air creates the perfect crunch
- Less Mess: No splattered oil to clean up afterward
- Easy Cleanup: Most air fryer baskets are dishwasher safe
- Versatile: Works with any wing sauce or seasoning
- Consistent Results: Reliable crispiness every time
- Energy Efficient: No need to preheat a large oven
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about air fryer chicken wings is their simplicity. You only need a few basic ingredients to create wings that are bursting with flavor. Here’s everything you’ll need to get started:
For the Wings:
- 2 pounds chicken wings, split into flats and drummettes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or cooking spray
- 2 teaspoons baking powder (not baking soda!)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Sauce Ideas:
- Buffalo sauce: ¼ cup hot sauce + 4 tablespoons melted butter
- Honey garlic: 3 tablespoons honey + 2 tablespoons soy sauce + 2 minced garlic cloves
- BBQ: ½ cup of your favorite barbecue sauce
- Lemon pepper: 2 tablespoons butter + 1 tablespoon lemon juice + 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
- Garlic parmesan: 3 tablespoons melted butter + 2 minced garlic cloves + ¼ cup grated parmesan
Pro Tip: The secret to extra crispy wings is baking powder! It raises the pH level of the chicken skin, helping it to crisp up beautifully. Just make sure you’re using baking powder, not baking soda, which would make your wings taste bitter.
Preparation Steps
Proper preparation is key to achieving perfectly crispy air fryer chicken wings. Follow these steps for the best results:
Step 1: Prepare the Wings
If your wings aren’t already separated, you’ll need to cut them into sections. Using a sharp knife, locate the joints and cut through them to separate each wing into a drummette, flat, and tip. You can discard the tips or save them for making chicken stock.
Step 2: Dry the Wings
Pat the wings thoroughly dry with paper towels. This is crucial for achieving crispy skin, as excess moisture will create steam in the air fryer and prevent proper crisping.
Step 3: Prepare the Seasoning
In a small bowl, combine the baking powder, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper. Mix well to ensure all spices are evenly distributed.
Step 4: Season the Wings
Place the dried wings in a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the wings and toss again until all wings are thoroughly coated.
“The key to crispy wings is removing as much moisture as possible before cooking. Take your time with the paper towels – it makes all the difference!”
Cooking Instructions
Now that your wings are prepared and seasoned, it’s time to cook them to crispy perfection in your air fryer. Follow these simple steps:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes. While not always necessary, preheating helps achieve more consistent results.
- Arrange wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they aren’t touching. This allows the hot air to circulate properly around each wing. You may need to cook in batches depending on your air fryer size.
- Cook for 10 minutes at 400°F (200°C), then flip the wings using tongs.
- Cook for another 10-12 minutes until the wings are golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- For extra crispiness, increase the temperature to 420°F (215°C) for the final 3 minutes of cooking.
How to Check for Doneness: Wings are done when they’re golden brown and crispy on the outside. To be certain, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the meat, away from the bone.
Saucing Your Wings
Once your wings are perfectly crispy, you can enjoy them as is or toss them in your favorite sauce. Here’s how to properly sauce your wings:
Method 1: Toss in Sauce
- Transfer the hot wings to a large bowl.
- Pour your prepared sauce over the wings.
- Gently toss until all wings are evenly coated.
- Serve immediately while hot.
Method 2: Sauce on the Side
- Serve the crispy wings as is.
- Provide dipping sauces on the side.
- This preserves the crispiness of the wings.
- Allows guests to choose their preferred sauce.
Caution: If you plan to sauce your wings, do so immediately after cooking while they’re still hot. This helps the sauce adhere better to the wings. However, be aware that saucing will eventually soften the crispy exterior, so serve promptly after saucing.
Serving Suggestions
Complete your air fryer chicken wing experience with these perfect accompaniments:
Dipping Sauces
- Ranch dressing
- Blue cheese dressing
- Honey mustard
- Garlic aioli
- Sriracha mayo
Fresh Sides
- Celery sticks
- Carrot sticks
- Bell pepper strips
- Cucumber slices
- Fresh salad
Hearty Sides
- Air fryer french fries
- Sweet potato wedges
- Corn on the cob
- Coleslaw
- Potato salad
Pro Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Wings
Take your air fryer chicken wings to the next level with these expert tips:
For Preparation
- Pat completely dry: Moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Take extra time to thoroughly dry the wings with paper towels.
- Use baking powder: This is the secret ingredient that helps break down proteins in the chicken skin, resulting in extra crispiness.
- Season generously: Don’t be shy with your seasonings, as some will fall off during cooking.
- Marinate if time allows: While not necessary, letting the seasoned wings sit in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours can enhance flavor.
For Cooking
- Avoid overcrowding: Always arrange wings in a single layer with space between each piece.
- Flip halfway: This ensures even cooking and crispiness on all sides.
- Adjust for size: Larger wings may need a few extra minutes of cooking time.
- Finish with high heat: A final blast at higher temperature (420°F) creates the ultimate crispy exterior.
Delicious Wing Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, experiment with these popular flavor variations:
Buffalo Wings
The classic spicy favorite! Toss hot wings in a mixture of hot sauce and melted butter for that signature tangy kick.
Garlic Parmesan Wings
Toss wings in melted butter, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, and a sprinkle of parsley for a savory Italian-inspired treat.
Honey BBQ Wings
Combine your favorite BBQ sauce with honey for sweet and smoky wings that everyone will love.
Lemon Pepper Wings
Toss hot wings in melted butter mixed with lemon juice and lemon pepper seasoning for a zesty, bright flavor.
Teriyaki Wings
Brush wings with teriyaki sauce during the last few minutes of cooking for a sweet and savory Asian-inspired flavor.
Cajun Dry Rub Wings
Season wings with Cajun spice blend before air frying for a spicy, flavorful crust with no sauce needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen chicken wings in the air fryer?
Why aren’t my air fryer chicken wings crispy?
How do I store and reheat leftover air fryer chicken wings?
Complete Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings, split into flats and drummettes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons baking powder (not baking soda)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22-25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Calories: Approximately 270 per serving
Instructions
- Pat chicken wings thoroughly dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, combine baking powder, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper.
- Place dried wings in a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and toss to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the wings and toss until all wings are thoroughly coated.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- Arrange wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they aren’t touching.
- Cook for 10 minutes, then flip the wings using tongs.
- Cook for another 10-12 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- For extra crispiness, increase temperature to 420°F (215°C) for the final 3 minutes.
- Check that internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C).
- Serve immediately as is or toss in your favorite sauce.
Enjoy Your Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings!
With this foolproof guide, you’re now equipped to make perfectly crispy, juicy air fryer chicken wings any time the craving strikes. The beauty of this recipe is its versatility – once you master the basic technique, you can experiment with countless flavor combinations to suit any preference or occasion. From game day gatherings to weeknight dinners, these wings are sure to become a regular in your cooking rotation.
Remember the key tips: thoroughly dry your wings, don’t overcrowd the basket, and use baking powder for that extra crispiness. With practice, you’ll develop your own perfect timing and seasoning preferences. Happy cooking!
