How Long Should I Air Fry Frozen Chicken Wings? The Complete Guide
Chicken wings are a beloved snack or appetizer for many. When cooked right, they can be crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside – the perfect balance of textures. But cooking them can also seem intimidating How long do you bake them? Fry them? Can you even cook them straight from frozen?
This is where the air fryer comes in. Air frying makes cooking frozen chicken wings incredibly easy. With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy tasty wings in less time than delivery would take. No need to wait around for wings to thaw or heat up a vat of oil. Let’s dive into everything you need to know to make perfect air fryer frozen chicken wings right at home.
Benefits of Using an Air Fryer
Air frying chicken wings provides a few key advantages:
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Less fat and calories – Air frying uses significantly less oil compared to deep frying, keeping the wings healthier
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Quick cook time – Frozen wings cook fast in the circulating hot air, ready in about 25-30 minutes. Much speedier than oven baking.
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Crispy exterior – The high heat helps the outside get crispy and browned without drying out the meat.
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Even cooking – The hot air cooks the wings evenly all over, no flipping required.
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Simple process – Just toss the frozen wings in, set the temp and timer, and walk away. Easy!
How Long Do Frozen Wings Take in an Air Fryer?
The ideal cook time for frozen chicken wings in an air fryer is usually around 25-30 minutes at 380°F or 400°F. Thinner or smaller wings may only need 20-22 minutes, while meatier drumettes may take closer to 30 minutes.
Always check for doneness rather than relying solely on time. Wings are safely cooked once the internal temperature reaches 165°F. If still underdone, continue cooking in 5 minute increments until done.
It’s also a good idea to shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. Here is a simple timeline:
- 0:00 – Place frozen wings in air fryer basket in single layer
- 12:00 – Shake basket to toss and rotate wings
- 25-30:00 – Check temperature and crispiness, cook longer if needed
Frozen vs Thawed Wings
You don’t need to thaw frozen wings before air frying. Cooking from fully frozen will yield tasty results. However, thawing first can allow seasonings and sauces to adhere better if you wish to add flavor.
If thawing, leave wings in the refrigerator overnight or use the defrost function on the microwave. Then pat dry thoroughly before tossing in oil and preferred seasonings or dry rub.
How to Cook Frozen Wings Perfectly in the Air Fryer
Follow these simple steps for foolproof frozen chicken wings every time:
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Preheat air fryer to 380°F-400°F.
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Pat wings dry if thawed, or leave frozen. Toss with a little oil or spray if desired.
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Arrange wings in a single layer in the basket, being careful not to overcrowd.
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Cook 25-30 minutes, shaking basket halfway through.
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Check temperature with a meat thermometer. Wings are done at 165°F.
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Allow wings to rest 5 minutes before tossing with sauce or serving.
Tips for Extra Crispy Wings
Achieving crispy frozen chicken wings in the air fryer is easy with these tips:
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Dry wings thoroughly before cooking
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Don’t overcrowd the basket
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Cook at 400°F vs lower temps
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Let wings rest before saucing (the steam can soften the skin)
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Finish under the broiler 1-2 minutes if needed
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Toss with a bit of baking powder or cornstarch before cooking for extra crunch
How to Add More Flavor
Plain air fried frozen chicken wings are delicious, but adding sauces or dry rubs can take them to the next level. Here are a few ways to incorporate more flavor:
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Toss cooked wings in hot sauce like Frank’s RedHot or buffalo sauce
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Coat in sticky barbecue sauce or Asian glazes
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Sprinkle with a dry rub before or after cooking – try Cajun, lemon pepper, jerk seasoning blends
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Marinate thawed wings in sauce overnight before freezing and cooking
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Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro or scallions before serving
Serving Suggestions and Side Dishes
Chicken wings are versatile and pair well with:
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Celery and carrot sticks with blue cheese or ranch dip
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Waffle fries or sweet potato fries
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Dipping sauces – try ranch, blue cheese, honey mustard
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Crispy coleslaw or broccoli slaw
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Hummus and pita chips or flatbread
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Guacamole and tortilla chips
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Mac and cheese or baked beans
Get Creative with Flavors
Don’t limit yourself to Buffalo, barbecue or lemon pepper. Embrace new flavors like:
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Jerk or Cajun rub with mango habanero sauce
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Orange ginger or sesame garlic sauce
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Spicy maple sriracha wings
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“Nashville hot” style with hot oil and brown sugar
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Honey sriracha or honey chipotle sauce
Leftovers and Reheating
Properly stored, leftover air fried chicken wings will last 3-4 days refrigerated. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-8 minutes until hot. The microwave can also be used though the skin may become soggy.
Freezing Cooked Wings
You can also freeze any leftover cooked wings. Allow them to cool fully before storing in a freezer bag or airtight container, squeezing out excess air. They’ll keep for 2-3 months frozen. Reheat directly from frozen using the same method.
The Takeaway
Cooking frozen chicken wings in the air fryer is incredibly easy and yields tender, juicy meat with crispy skin in under 30 minutes. Just toss them in the basket and let the hot circulating air work its magic. Feel free to get creative with flavors too using sauces, glazes and seasonings. In no time, you’ll have restaurant-quality wings ready to enjoy!
Plain Frozen Wings In The Air Fryer
These chicken wings were just plain wings from the meat counter that I put in the freezer to cook later. You don’t need to defrost them first, unless they are stuck together. If so, microwave them first for about 30 seconds to thaw them just enough to separate.
These wings turned out so good. The perfect timing is 20 minutes at 400°F for chicken wings with crispy skin and tender meat. I didn’t even need to flip them or move them around, but you do want to cook them in a single layer, which does limit the amount you can cook at a time. This version is what is in the recipe card below.
Air Fryer Breaded Frozen Wings
Now, there are also a lot of different kinds of chicken wings that can be found in the frozen food aisle. They don’t always have instructions on how to cook them in the air fryer though, which can be pretty frustrating.
The first kind I tested were Foster Farms Crispy Take Out Wings which are a breaded chicken wing. I was able to fit two packages, about 16 wings, in my air fryer. The results were tender, moist, and juicy wings with a crisp exterior. Definitely a good choice for the air fryer!
Instructions: Add about 16 breaded frozen chicken wings to air fryer. Cook on 400°F for 14 minutes, no need to shake and redistribute during cooking.
AIR FRYER CHICKEN WINGS FROM FROZEN.HOW TO COOK FROZEN CHICKEN WINGS IN THE AIR FRYER.CRIPSY& NO OIL
FAQ
How long do you cook frozen wings in the air fryer?
How long to cook frozen chicken in an air fryer at 400 degrees?
How long to cook chicken wings in an air fryer on 400?
In a single layer, place the chicken wings in the air fryer and air fry for 10 minutes at 400F. Flip the chicken wings and air fry again for 7-12 minutes at 400F (depending on the size of the wings) or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Serve with your favorite wing sauce or eat dry and enjoy!Nov 4, 2023
How long to cook frozen wings at 400 degrees?