Air fryers have become an increasingly popular kitchen appliance for making quick, delicious meals and snacks. One of the most beloved foods to make in an air fryer is crispy, juicy chicken wings! The air fryer allows you to achieve that crunchy, fried texture without the grease and mess of deep frying.
Cooking chicken wings in an air fryer results in wings that are moist on the inside with perfectly browned, crispy skin on the outside. Though store-bought frozen wings can certainly be used, fresh chicken wings are ideal for getting the best possible air fryer results. With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy restaurant-quality wings from the comfort of your own home.
Benefits of Cooking Wings in an Air Fryer
There are several advantages to using an air fryer rather than conventional oven baking or deep frying for your chicken wings
- Requires little to no oil, resulting in healthier chicken wings
- Wings cook quickly, in about 20-25 minutes total
- Crispy skin from circulating hot air mimics deep fried texture
- Chicken stays juicy and tender inside
- Smaller kitchen appliance, convenient for cooking smaller batches
- Easy cleanup with less mess than frying on the stovetop
Air fryers provide the golden crispy finish of deep fried wings while using up to 75% less oil. This makes them a great choice for those looking to reduce the fat and calories in this tasty appetizer.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Follow these tips for foolproof, delicious air fryer chicken wings every time
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Choose fresh, high-quality wings – Look for plump wings with a good ratio of meat to bone. Fresh wings make the juiciest, most tender air fryer chicken.
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Pat the wings completely dry – Remove any excess moisture from the wings with paper towels before cooking. The drier the wings, the crisper the skin becomes.
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Season generously – Flavor is key! Coat the wings in seasoning like Cajun, lemon pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, etc.
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Don’t overcrowd the basket – Cook wings in a single layer, spacing them out to allow for maximum air circulation.
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Flip wings midway – Rotate and flip the wings during cooking for even browning and cooking on all sides.
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Use a meat thermometer – Check wings are cooked through to an internal temp of 165°F.
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Toss in sauce after cooking – Wait until wings are fully cooked before tossing in any sauces or glazes.
Step-by-Step Guide for Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Follow this simple process for crispy, mouthwatering air fryer chicken wings:
1. Pat Wings Dry
- Start with 2 pounds of fresh chicken wings, separated into drummettes and flats.
- Pat the wings completely dry with paper towels, removing any excess moisture or liquid.
2. Season the Wings
- Place the wings in a large mixing bowl. Season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and other desired spices.
- Toss the wings until they are fully and evenly coated in the seasoning mix.
3. Preheat Air Fryer
- Preheating is important for crispy wings! Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
- While air fryer preheats, prep your wings.
4. Cook Wings in Batches
- Working in batches, place wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding.
- Cook at 375°F for 12-15 minutes initially.
5. Flip and Rotate Wings
- After 12-15 minutes, flip wings over and rotate their position.
- Continue cooking for 8-10 more minutes.
6. Repeat with Second Batch
- Transfer first batch of cooked wings to a plate and keep warm.
- Repeat process with second batch of raw wings.
7. Check Internal Temperature
- Wings are done when internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- If needed, cook wings for a few more minutes until 165°F.
8. Toss in Sauce (Optional)
- Once wings are fully cooked, you can toss them in your favorite sauce!
- Buffalo, barbecue, teriyaki, and garlic parmesan sauce are all delicious options.
And that’s it – your hot, crispy, sauce-coated air fryer chicken wings are ready to enjoy! Whether cooking for game day or a weeknight dinner, follow this straightforward method for finger-licking good wings any night of the week.
Cooking Times for Air Fryer Chicken Wings
The exact cooking time for air fryer wings can vary slightly depending on the size of the wings and your preferred level of crispiness. For reference, here are some general guidelines:
- Smaller wings – 18-22 minutes
- Medium wings – 20-25 minutes
- Larger jumbo wings – 23-28 minutes
Be sure to check the internal temperature and adjust cooking times as needed to ensure food safety. Air fryers make the process quick and easy, so fire up your fryer and enjoy your wings in less time than it takes for a pizza delivery!
Flavor Ideas for Air Fryer Wings
The possibilities are endless when it comes to flavoring air fried chicken wings! Here are some popular seasoning and sauce combinations to try:
- Buffalo – traditional buffalo sauce paired with blue cheese or ranch dip
- BBQ – sweet and tangy barbecue wings never disappoint
- Garlic Parmesan – a mouthwatering blend of garlic, parmesan, parsley, etc.
- Honey Sriracha – the perfect balance of sweet and heat
- Jamaican Jerk – spicy and full of flavor from Caribbean-style spices
- Lemon Pepper – zesty lemon and cracked black pepper
- Teriyaki – sweet teriyaki glaze sticky teriyaki wings
Get creative and make each batch of wings uniquely your own. The air fryer handles the cooking – you handle the flavor!
Make Ahead and Storage Tips
Since air fryers cook wings in smaller batches, here are some tips for getting organized:
- Season all the wings at once, then cook in batches.
- Let cooked wings rest in a warm oven until the rest are finished.
- Refrigerate sauced wings if making ahead and reheat later.
- Store cooked plain wings in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze wings up to 3 months; reheat straight from freezer.
Proper storage keeps your wings tasting fresh. With an air fryer, wings can be made ahead or cooked right before serving.
Common Air Fryer Chicken Wing Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about cooking wings in an air fryer:
Should wings be cooked from frozen or thawed?
Thawed wings are best, but frozen wings can work too. Add a few extra minutes to the cook time if starting from frozen.
Do you need oil or grease?
Minimal – a light coating of oil helps wings get crispy. Use just 1-2 tsp oil total on the wings.
How much wings can an air fryer hold?
Depends on air fryer size, but you’ll need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding. For a typical 3-4 quart air fryer basket, do 1 pound of wings at a time.
Is flipping the wings important?
Yes! Flipping halfway during cooking helps the wings brown and crisp up evenly on all sides.
Can you reheat leftover wings?
Absolutely! Reheat wings at 300°F for 4-5 minutes until heated through. They won’t get quite as crispy, but still tasty.
Enjoy Your Air Fried Wings!
With an air fryer and this handy guide, you are equipped to make amazingly delicious chicken wings at home easily. Invite over friends and family to enjoy your latest wing creations together. The air fryer handles the cooking so you can focus on fun and flavor. Dip those tender, juicy wings in your favorite sauces and enjoy this classic appetizer to its fullest!
How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Chicken Wings: Wondering how many wings are needed to feed all your party people? 2 lbs. should feed around 4 people, and 1 lb. more feeds around 2 more people, so calculate how many pounds based on how big your crew is. Not buying by the pound? 3-4 wings per person works too. Keep in mind that you’ll have to cook in batches to ensure your wings get crispy.
- Cooking Spray: To ensure the chicken wing skin doesn’t stick to the air fryer, give the inside a spray of nonstick cooking spray.
- Hot Sauce: You can choose any hot sauce you please, but Frank’s Red Hot is a personal favorite. Not feeling Buffalo? Use one of our other wing sauce recipes.
- Butter: Melted butter adds that body and richness to our Buffalo sauce.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A little bit of Worcestershire sauce adds a tangy, savory flavor to our Buffalo sauce. We don’t always add this to our Buffalo sauces, so if you don’t have it you can leave it out, but it really adds another layer of flavor that I can’t get enough of.
- Garlic Powder: Instead of adding garlic powder to our chicken wings, I’m adding some into the Buffalo sauce for another layer of savory flavor.
Add your wings to a bowl, and season them well with kosher salt and pepper. Then, give them a toss to make sure they are coated evenly. Next, spray the inside of your air fryer with nonstick cooking spray to prevent any sticking.
Add your wings in an even layer in the air fryer (don’t be tempted to crowd the basket!), and cook at 380° for around 12 minutes. Flip the wings, then cook for 12 more minutes. Increase the heat to 400°, then cook for 5 minutes more to lock in that crispy exterior.
While they’re cooking, make your Buffalo sauce by combining melted butter, Buffalo sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder in a large bowl. Once your wings are done, add them to the bowl, and toss to fully coat. Serve with your desired sauce, and get to dipping!
The full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe below.
- How to make crispy wings in the air fryer. For the crispiest possible wings, pat your chicken wings completely dry with paper towels before seasoning. Even better, let your wings chill uncovered in the refrigerator for an hour or two beforehand. My second tip for extra-crispy wings? Cook your wings in a single layer in the air fryer. Crowding you basket will result in wings that aren’t as crisp or evenly cooked, and nobody wants that.
- How long should I cook my wings in the air fryer? Overall, my wings took around 30 minutes to cook. I first set the air fryer to 380° and cooked the wings for 12 minutes before flipping, then cooked for 12 minutes more. I then increase the heat to 400° and cook for a final 5 minutes for perfectly crisp wings.
- Dipping sauces. Blue cheese is always a great option, but if you’re a ranch fan, I would be remiss if I didnt suggest you try making your own ranch dressing. The cooling tartness of buttermilk + lots of fresh herbs perfectly compliments these wings.
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe
FAQ
How long do you cook chicken wings in the air fryer?
Chicken wings typically need to be air fried for 20-30 minutes at 400°F (200°C), flipping halfway through. The exact time will vary based on the size of the wings and your specific air fryer model.