Whether its a holiday celebration, a Sunday roast, or just a regular weeknight, theres never a bad time for turkey. And no matter which part of the turkey youre eating, you want it to be tender and juicy inside, with a flavorful crispy skin. If youve got your hands on some turkey wings, youre in for a treat — but when youre cooking them, you have to do it just right. Theres less meat on the wing and lots of skin to crisp up. You may opt to use your oven, and roast them the same way you would a whole turkey. However, theres a significantly quicker way to achieve the best possible outcome.
Use your air fryer to cook turkey wings, and youll be able to easily make them tender, delicious, and with a crispy skin. The best part? Theyll be done in 30 minutes or less. Thanks to the air fryer, you can expediently reach a level of excellence similar to deep-frying, without the extra oil.
Air fryer turkey wings make for a quick and easy appetizer or meal that’s fall-off-the-bone tender on the inside with crispy browned skin on the outside. But to achieve the ideal texture you need to nail the cooking time in your air fryer. Undercook them and you risk foodborne illness, overcook them and the wings turn out dry and rubbery.
So what’s the perfect air fryer temperature and cook time to transform turkey wings into finger-licking deliciousness? Follow this guide for expert tips, recommended cook times, doneness cues, and foolproof techniques for cooking turkey wings in the air fryer.
Factors That Affect Air Fryer Turkey Wing Cook Time
Several key factors impact how long turkey wings need to cook in an air fryer
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Size of the wings – Smaller wings or wing sections like drums and flats cook faster than whole wings.
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Number of wings – The more wings, the longer the cook time since heat circulates slower in a crowded basket.
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Bone-in or boneless – Wings with bones take longer than boneless.
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Temperature of wings – Frozen or refrigerated wings require longer than wings at room temp.
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Air fryer temperature – Higher heat means shorter cook time. 380°F is standard.
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Coatings – Breading or sauce increases cook time. Spice rubs do not.
Accounting for these elements will allow you to determine the ideal turkey wing air fryer cook time.
Recommended Air Fryer Turkey Wing Cook Times
Here are general guidelines for how long to cook turkey wings in an air fryer:
- Whole bone-in wings: 25-30 minutes at 380°F
- Wing sections (drums, flats): 20-25 minutes at 380°F
- Boneless wings: 15-18 minutes at 380°F
For frozen wings, add 5 minutes to the cook time. Smaller air fryer baskets may need a couple minutes less.
Signs Turkey Wings Are Fully Cooked
Rely on these visual and temperature cues to determine when air fryer turkey wings are properly cooked:
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Internal temperature reaches 165°F
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Skin is crispy and deeply browned
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Meat has pulled back from the ends of bones
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Juices run clear when pierced with a fork
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No traces of pink when slicing into meat
Allow wings to rest 5 minutes before cutting to let juices redistribute. Always confirm doneness before serving.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Turkey Wings
Follow these tips for perfectly cooked air fryer turkey wings every time:
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Pat wings completely dry before cooking for crispiest skin.
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Don’t overcrowd the basket. Wings need space to cook evenly.
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Flip wings halfway during cooking for even browning.
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Lightly brush wings with oil before air frying to maximize crisping.
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Use a meat thermometer to ensure wings reach 165°F minimum temp.
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Allow cooked wings to rest 5 minutes before eating.
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To reheat leftovers, air fry at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until hot.
Flavoring Ideas for Air Fryer Turkey Wings
One benefit of the air fryer is it really concentrates flavors. Consider these seasoning ideas:
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Dry spice rubs – Cajun, jerk, ranch, lemon pepper, chili lime. Coat wings evenly.
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Wet marinades – Buttermilk, yogurt, barbecue sauce, jerk marinade. Marinate 1-2 hours.
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Brines – Soak wings 1-2 hours in a saltwater brine with aromatics.
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Glazes/sauces – Honey sriracha, teriyaki, buffalo. Brush over wings last 5 mins of cooking.
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Injections – Chicken broth, lemon, garlic, herbs. Injects flavor deep into meat.
Air Fryer vs. Oven Turkey Wings
While air fryers do produce deliciously crispy wings, the traditional oven has some advantages too:
Air Fryer Pros
- Cooks wings up to 50% faster than oven
- Uses little to no oil resulting in fewer calories/fat
- Small batches cook very evenly
- Simple “set and forget” method
Oven Pros
- Accommodates larger batches more easily
- Allows seasoning entire surface area
- Lower risk of overcrowding/uneven cooking
- Better for smoking or low and slow roasting
Both methods can yield fantastic wings. Choose what’s most convenient for the amount you’re cooking.
The Takeaway
Cooking turkey wings in the air fryer takes 25-30 minutes for whole wings, 20-25 minutes for wing sections, and 15-18 minutes for boneless at 380°F air fryer temperature. Monitor for doneness based on temperature, color, and texture. With the ideal timing and a flavorful seasoning or sauce, you’ll enjoy tender, juicy turkey wings with crispy browned skin every time.
Cooking turkey wings in your air fryer
The first thing on your to-do list when making air fryer turkey wings is to find high-quality meat. Try your local butcher shop, or head to the grocery store and you may be able to find packaged turkey wings. Marinating will make the wings more flavorful and tender, so if you can plan in advance, try to marinate them overnight.
To amp up the seasoning even more, try making a simple dry rub. Combine the dry rub with olive oil, or another oil of your choice, and coat the wings generously before placing them in your pre-heated air fryer. You want to cook the turkey wings at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature you should be able to cook them relatively quickly, keeping the meat tender and juicy inside, while the fast-moving convection will crisp up the skin. Try cooking them for 10 to 15 minutes, then flip them and cook them for another 10 minutes. Dont forget to grab a thermometer and make sure your wings have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Crispy Air Fryer Turkey Wings | Air Fryer Easy Wings
FAQ
How long should wings go in the air fryer?
- Temperature: Most recipes recommend cooking wings between 375°F and 400°F.
- Cooking time: Expect to cook wings for around 20-25 minutes, but check for doneness with a meat thermometer.
- Flipping: Flip the wings halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
- Space in the basket: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow for proper air circulation.
What temperature to cook turkey wings in an air fryer?
- Preheat your air fryer: before adding the turkey wings.
- Pat the wings dry: with paper towels before seasoning and cooking.
- Flip halfway through cooking: to ensure even browning.
- Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F: as measured with a meat thermometer.
How long does a turkey take in an air fryer?
Set air-fryer temperature to 400° F. Cook 45-60 minutes, about 7-10 minutes per pound, until a food thermometer inserted registers 165° F.
How long to cook Turkey wings in air fryer?
Here are general guidelines for how long to cook turkey wings in an air fryer: For frozen wings, add 5 minutes to the cook time. Smaller air fryer baskets may need a couple minutes less, while overflowing the basket adds time. Always check internal temperature and visually inspect wings for doneness rather than relying solely on cook times.
Can one cook broccoli in an air fryer?
Yes, you can cook broccoli in the air fryer like any other vegetable. You can add a little salt, garlic powder and pepper to enhance the flavor.
How to make air fryer Turkey wings crispy?
Oil – I recommend some extra virgin olive oil in a spray bottle that you can spray all over the turkey wings. This will help create crispy air fryer turkey wings. Seasoning – Now this is when it gets interesting. As you can mix and match and use any seasoning that you want.
What temperature should Turkey wings be in an air fryer?
The ideal air fryer turkey wings temperature is 180c/360f. This is because you don’t want to go too high because it will cook the skin and not the inside, go too low and you won’t have air fryer crispy turkey wings. Air Fryer Turkey Wings. Let me introduce you to the best ever recipe for turkey wings in the air fryer.
How long do you air fry chicken wings?
Air fry for about 10-15 minutes, flip the wings and continue cooking for about 5-7 minutes. Use an instant-read thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the wings. They are finished cooking when the temperature reaches 165 degrees F and they are golden brown. Then, let them rest lightly tented in foil for five to ten minutes, then enjoy!
How long do you cook Turkey wings at 165?
Cook for 20 minutes, flip them over (be careful, they will be hot!), and cook for a further 10-15 minutes until they are cooked through. You can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey wings; 165°F will ensure that the meat is cooked but still tender.