Cook the chicken wings in your Air Fryer, then toss them in your favorite sauce! Crispy, juicy, and delicious. PERFECTION! You will love this recipe because the chicken wings are cooked without any oil, baking powder, or corn starch. This recipe is versatile and can be used to make buffalo, BBQ, or parmesan chicken wings. Make sure to also check out my Crispy Air Fryer Fish recipe and the most popular recipe on my site which is this Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe, it’s THE BEST!
Recommended Tools for This Recipe
An Air Fryer. This is my favorite air fryer and I use it almost every day.Stainless steel locking tongsI can’t live without this non-stick grill pan accessory, I use it all the time!I love these stainless steel measuring cups and use them every time I cook, as well as those measuring spoons.These are the mixing bowls that you usually see in my pictures.This air fryer magnetic cheat sheet is very handy, it contains cooking time and temperature to cook 66 most common ingredients which I find very useful.I also really like these air fryer parchment liners, they’re not just for steaming and you can use them for cooking things like fries or chicken without worrying that the food will stick to the basket. They’re also quite cheap and there are 100 pcs in a package.And for a full set of air fryer accessories, I recommend this set.
How to Cut and Separate Chicken Wings?
First, you need to wash the chicken wings and pat dry them using kitchen paper towels. If the wings are already cut into wingettes and drumettes, then you’re good to go. If not, then you’ll have to separate them. Using your fingers, locate where the joint is connected between both parts. Then using a sharp knife or kitchen scissors, cut through the joint. And finally, cut off the tips. You will use the drumettes and wingettes, and discard the tips (or use them to make homemade chicken stock).
How to Air Fry Chicken Wings
After you wash and pat dry the chicken wings, you can either season them or put them straight in the Air Fryer basket. I prefer to season them first for extra flavor. So I tossed the wings in paprika, garlic granules, salt, and pepper.
Place the seasoned wings in the Air Fryer basket (make sure that you don’t overcrowd it) and insert it.Cook for 20 minutes at 395F (200C) shaking the basket at least twice so that they cook evenly.
The cooking time depends on the size of the wings that you’re using, but start with 20 minutes, and see if you need to cook for a bit longer.Either serve right away or transfer to a bowl and serve or toss in your favorite wing sauce if desired.
Seasoning Ideas
You can use different seasonings to season the chicken wings, below are a few ideas:
Smoked paprika, with stone house seasoning (which is amazing!)Cajun seasoningItalian seasoning, and grated parmesanFajita seasoning, or taco seasoningShawarma seasoning for Middle Eastern inspired flavors
How to Make a Bigger Batch?
If you have a double rack, then that works great. If not, then work in batches. If you overcrowd the Air Fryer basket, the air won’t circulate well in the basket and the wings won’t crisp up but will have a “steaming” effect.
How to Check If the Wings Are Cooked Through and Safe to Eat?
Every time you cook chicken, you have to make sure that the internal temperature of the chicken should be around 75c/165f. That’s the best way to make sure that the chicken is safe to eat.
How to Cook Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer From Frozen?
You will just need to increase the cooking time by 5 minutes. If the wings are stuck together since they’re frozen, that’s totally fine and they will separate as they cook.
How to Reheat Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer?
Put the chicken wings back in the air fryer basket, and reheat on 200C (395F) for 5 minutes or until they’re heated through.
What to Serve With Chicken Wings
Fresh baby carrots, and celery sticks.Coleslaw, fries, fried mozzarella sticks, and onion rings.Ranch or blue cheese dip.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
title: “Air Fryer Chicken Wings” ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-14” author: “Alan Flaten”
If you don’t have an air fryer but still want to make this great recipe, make my Crockpot Chicken Wings. If I acted like an unsupervised 10 year old at a birthday party, my plate would overflow with all the deep fried appetizers I could get my hands on. I’m not sure I’ve met an appetizer that I didn’t like. Obviously at the top of that list is Buffalo Chicken Wings. I could eat endless baskets of them dipped in Ranch Dressing. Given that we aren’t eating out anymore, and that we are trying to eat healthier, making chicken wings in the air fryer seems like a great alternative.
Starting with Chicken Rub
As I mentioned above, I like to start my chicken wings by rubbing them with my chicken rub recipe. It is a simple recipe to make with ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. We love it on grilled chicken legs. The extra time it takes to make the rub will be well worth it. The sweet, slightly smokey rub, with just a hint of spice, compliments sauce recipes perfectly. It is amazing on these chicken wings and drumettes as they crisp up in the air fryer. If this step seems like too much to you, just skip it. The recipe will still work as written.
How to Cook Chicken Wings in Air Fryer
This recipe is just a few simple steps, and you are left with crispy irresistible chicken wings. The full list of ingredients and instructions is at the bottom of the post in the recipe card. Please note that the instructions listed here are for fresh wings, but I have a section below for frozen chicken wings in the air fryer.
Frozen Chicken Wings in Air Fryer
Often, grocery stores only sell their chicken wings and drumettes in the frozen section. You can either thaw the chicken wings overnight in your refrigerator or you can cook them in the air fryer right from frozen. Frozen chicken wings need just a few extra minutes in the air fryer. Instead of cooking for 15 to 20 minutes, we are going to cook for 18 to 22 minutes. See more about cook times below. Even though you won’t be able to fully coat a frozen chicken wing, I would still encourage you to toss them in a little of the dry rub.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings Cook Time
The time it takes to cook your chicken wings will vary depending on their size. Smaller wings and drumettes will be done in just under 15 minutes. Larger wings will take closer to 20 minutes. Wings that are cooking from frozen will take 18 minutes for small wings and closer to 22 minutes for large wings and drumettes. Additionally, the more wings and drumsticks that you put in your air fryer the longer it will take. Play it safe by checking the temperature of the largest wing or drumstick and make sure that it is 165 degrees with an instant read thermometer.
Crockpot Chicken Wings
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can make these in your slow cooker instead! Check out my recipe for Crockpot Chicken Wings. It is nearly identical to this.
Other Game Day Food
If you are like me, you only turn on football games so you can have an excuse to make great game day food – I would argue the best type of food. Here are some of my other favorite recipes:
Ham and Cheese Sliders: These are perfect for feeding a crowd and come together very easily. Sheet Pan Nachos: I love this nacho recipe so much. It can also count as dinner. Sausage Stuffed Jalapeños: These little guys are perfect bites of deliciousness and must go on your menu. Spinach Artichoke Dip: It is a classic for a reason.
If you make this air fryer chicken wings recipe or any of my other recipes, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!
