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These delicious Air Fryer Cajun Chicken Wings are seasoned with a spicy and flavorful Cajun seasoning then cooked to perfection. They’re so crispy and delicious, you won’t be able to stop eating them.
If you’re a fan of chicken wings like we are, you absolutely must try these Air Fryer Cajun wings. Don’t shy away from these Cajun style wings, if you’re not into spicy foods. While some Cajun seasoning you can purchase will be very spicy, you can find ones that are mild, or mix up your own seasoning to suit your preferred spice level. I like to use this spice mix.
Why You’ll Love It
- The seasoning does all the work here. When you put these deliciously spiced chicken wings in the air fryer, the outcome is amazing. They get so crispy on the outside, but the inside stays nice and juicy.
- All you have to do is toss the wings into the air fryer basket and turn it on. They’re done in under 30 minutes. I’m telling you – super simple!
- The forced circulating hot air in the air fryer is what makes the skin super crisp, while keeping all the juices locked inside.
Shanna says: 
These are some of the best wings that I have ever had. The flavor was amazing and I will be making them again.
Karen H. says: I just got a new air fryer and this was a great first recipe. A big hit at my house! I kept the cayenne but omitted the black pepper just to reduce the heat a little. But the seasoning combination was perfect! My son who doesn’t like chicken wings had 3 helpings. I had to make another batch! So glad I found your website. Thank you for a delicious recipe. We’ll be making these again and again, and look forward to trying more of your recipes.
» See more great ways to make chicken in the air fryer.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken wings – I like to use party wings that are a slightly smaller size, with the wing and leg separated. Plan for about 1/3 pounds of chicken wings per person.
- Cajun seasoning spices – Paprika, salt, garlic salt, ground black pepper, onion powder, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, and dried thyme.
- Cooking spray – If you don’t have cooking spray you can use cooking oil.
How to Make Cajun Dry Rub
Cajun seasoning is a blend of spices that originated in Louisiana, particularly the southwestern corner of the state where Cajun culture is most concentrated.
It’s pretty easy to find Cajun seasoning in the store. Just look for it on the spice rack. If you can’t find it, or what to make your own, we’ve included a recipe to mix up your own.
You’ll need:
- Paprika
- Garlic salt
- Cayenne
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Black pepper
- Salt
The amounts you need are in the recipe card below. The seasoning is fairly mild with not too much heat. Most people like it this way – flavorful but not super spicy. If you want it more spicy than this, just add more cayenne pepper until it reaches the spice level you want.
Equipment Information
- Air fryer: I use the 5.5-quart Ninja MaxXL basket-style air fryer. Angie uses this 5-quart Cosori Pro LE air fryer. We also both occasionally use the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill that has an air fryer setting.
- Kitchen tongs: It’s very easy to remove food from your air fryer with kitchen tongs. I use these kitchen tongs that are silicon coated so they don’t scratch the interior.
- Meat thermometer: The only way to tell if meat is fully cooked to the right temperature is to use a meat thermometer. I use this Instant Read thermometer. It’s so quick to open the basket and check the temp.
Expert Tips to Follow
- You can cook chicken wings whole or halved (cut apart at the elbow).
- Pat the wings dry before adding the oil and seasonings. This will help them crisp up better in the air fryer.
- Air fryers come in different wattages, which can affect their cooking power. You may need to cook your food more or less than I do, based on your air fryer’s wattage. Times and temps are a general guideline.
- The wings don’t need to be in a single layer to cook properly. It’s okay if they overlap.
- There is no need to spray the basket or preheat the air fryer before cooking.
Why Use an Air Fryer
An air fryer is an incredibly easy way to cook just about anything. You place the food in a fryer-style basket and hot air rapidly circulates all around the food, making the food crisp – much like deep-frying, but without the oil. You can cook anything you’d make in the oven.
- I use a Ninja MaxXL air fryer (pictured left). If you don’t have an air fryer yet, check out these options to find one that fits your needs.
- See reviews and prices for air fryers on Amazon.
- Here’s a printable Air Fryer Cooking Times Cheat Sheet to get you started.
- Click to find more recipes to make in your Air Fryer.
- Learn how to make fun things in the air fryer, like potato wedges, pork belly bites, and chicken wings.
How to Make Air Fryer Cajun Chicken Wings
There are a lot of ways you can cook chicken wings – in the oven, on the grill, in the Instant Pot – but my favorite by far is in the air fryer. I really think the air fryer was made for things like chicken wings and potatoes.
Step 1: Mix up the Cajun seasoning
In a small bowl mix together all of the spices and stir to combine. If you don’t want much heat you can leave out the cayenne or just add a bit.
Step 2: Season the wings
Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning onto the chicken wings. The amount of seasoning in the recipe is good to cover one pound of wings. I suggest using the entire amount. It might seem like a lot, but it really ensures the flavor reaches every part of the wing.
Step 3: Cook
Once the wings are coated, put them in the air fryer at 400° F(204°C) for 20 minutes (25 if your wings are large). Shake the basket at the halfway point to make sure that all sides get equally crispy.
Don’t worry if the chicken overlaps in the basket. It’s okay if they’re stacked on top of each other. You might just need to shake the basket a couple of times during cooking to make sure everything gets cooked evenly.
They’ll become nice and crispy and browned. Leave them in until the skin of the chicken has crisped up nicely.
What to Serve With Chicken Wings
Since I’m pretty convinced that the best things in the air fryer are chicken and potatoes, I like to serve these wings with Air Fryer Potato Wedges or Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries.
If you don’t have time to make another dish in the air fryer for dinner, you could just cut up a fresh garden salad or serve these chicken wings with corn on the cob, macaroni and cheese, or roasted broccoli.
Ninja® Foodi®XL 2-Basket Air Fryer
- 2 independent XL air fryer baskets
- Integrated Foodi® Smart Thermometer
- Cook 2 foods 2 ways that finish at the same time
Storing Options
Fridge: Store any leftover cooked orange chicken wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To maintain crispiness, keep the sauce separate and drizzle it over the wings just before reheating.
Freezer: If you have more wings than you can consume within a few days, you can freeze them. Place cooled chicken wings in a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Store them for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating Options
Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the chicken wings on a baking sheet in a single layer. Reheat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the wings are heated through and the skin becomes crispy again.
Air Fryer: If you have an air fryer, it’s a fantastic tool for reheating wings. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Place the wings in the air fryer basket and reheat for about 5-7 minutes, or until they’re heated and crispy.
Microwave: While microwaving won’t restore the crispy texture of the wings, it’s the quickest option. Place the wings on a microwave-safe plate, cover them with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until they’re heated to your liking.
Questions About the Recipe
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, you can double the recipe if you have a large enough air fryer. I have a 5.5-quart air fryer basket and I find that 2 pounds of wings fit without them being too crowded to get crispy. I could add up to 3 pounds and they’d still cook well.
When doubling, air fry for 25-30 minutes, or until the skin is crisp. Make sure you shake the basket at least twice during cooking. With so many wings, you might have to stir them with a spatula instead. Bake time will vary based on the size of your air fryer basket and the size of the wings, so be sure to check the temperature of the wings.
Can these chicken wings be baked instead?
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the chicken wings in the oven instead. Preheat the oven to 400° F(204°C) and cook the wings on a baking sheet with a silicon mat or parchment paper for 30 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking.
How do you keep chicken wings from drying out in an air fryer?
To ensure your chicken wings stay juicy and tender when cooking them in an air fryer be sure to check the internal temperature as the cooking time nears the end. You don’t want to over cook them. Also, allow them to rest for a few minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping them moist.
Is this Cajun seasoning spicy?
This seasoning is fairly mild with not too much heat. Most people like it this way – flavorful but not super spicy. If you want it more spicy than this, just add more cayenne pepper until it reaches the spice level you want.
More Air Fryer Chicken Wing Recipes
- Easy Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Easy Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings
- Frozen Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer
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Air Fryer Cajun Chicken Wings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454 g) chicken wings
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) paprika
- 1 teaspoon (6 g) salt
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 g) garlic salt
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.3 g) dried thyme
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Pre-heat the air fryer to 400° F (200° C).
- Rinse and pat dry the chicken wings. Put them in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix the seasonings in a bowl.
- Sprinkle the seasoning over the chicken wings and toss to coat.
- Place the chicken wings in the air fryer basket. Spray lightly with cooking spray. Bake for 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket at least once halfway through, until the wings are crispy and browned.
Notes
- You can cook chicken wings whole or halved (cut apart at the elbow).
- Pat the wings dry before adding the oil and seasonings. This will help them crisp up better in the air fryer.
- Air fryers come in different wattages, which can affect their cooking power. You may need to cook your food more or less than I do, based on your air fryer’s wattage. Times and temps are a general guideline.
- The wings don’t need to be in a single layer to cook properly. It’s okay if they overlap.
- There is no need to spray the basket or preheat the air fryer before cooking.
All air fryers have different wattage and may cook at different rates. You may need to adjust the time or temp for the best results.
Nutrition
Related Posts:
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash (Halves)
- Essential Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- Air Fryer Crispy Breaded Shrimp
Laura is a passionate foodie and owner of Air Fry Anytime She is dedicated to sharing delicious recipes and helpful tips for using air fryers at home. With years of experience in the kitchen and a love for healthy, flavorful cooking, Laura has become an expert at using air fryers to create amazing meals that are both nutritious and delicious.
I love cajun seasoned wings! I can’t wait to try them, likely in the air fryer. Thanks for a great recipe.
My family is going to love this, thank you for the recipe!
These are some of the best wings that I have ever had. The flavor was amazing and I will be making them again.
These chicken wings are so delicious and so flavourful! These were a real hit in my house!
These chicken wings were so flavourful and delicious! My hubby loved it! Thanks for sharing!
CHICKEN
This is absolutely the best chicken wing rub we’ve EVER had. We’ve tried a lot of different combinations and this recipe is awesome. We tweaked it slightly by adding some Seminole Swamp Seasoning Fire in the Swamp and right before we airfry the wings we add some baking soda to make them extra crispy. Thanks for the great recipe.
This is my go to for wings!! Everyone LOVES how amazing they are!! Thank you for a fabulous recipe!
That’s great to hear, Kristin. Thanks for the feedback.
I just got a new air fryer and this was a great first recipe. A big hit at my house! I kept the cayenne but omitted the black pepper just to reduce the heat a little. But the seasoning combination was perfect! My son who doesn’t like chicken wings had 3 helpings. I had to make another batch! So glad I found your website. Thank you for a delicious recipe. We’ll be making these again and again, and look forward to trying more of your recipes.
Hi Karen, thanks for the kind words! So glad that your son loved the chicken wings. We love them too.