Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Air Fryer Chicken Wings are so simple to make and they come out so crispy on the outside with a nice juicy interior. You can dress them up however you like to change up the flavor.

Cooking air fryer chicken wings is going to make you want to make them way more often. If you ask me, there’s no easier thing to make for just about any occasion. All you have to do is toss the wings into the air fryer basket and turn it on. I’m telling you – super simple!

Why You’ll Love It

• Air fryer chicken wings cook in just 20 minutes. You’ll get nice crispy wings.
• There’s no need to preheat the air fryer.
• You’ll have way less splatter air frying the wings, than you would witha traditional fryer or in the oven.
• The forced circulating hot air in the air fryer is what makes the skin super crisp, while keeping all the juices locked inside. It takes a lot longer to achieve the same result in the oven, so the meat ends up getting dried and tough if you attempt to get the perfect crispy skin.

Garten Zaun says: The versatility of this recipe has me envisioning a wing fiesta. From smoky barbecue to tangy buffalo, the flavor possibilities are as limitless as the joy these wings will bring. The fact that I can enjoy guilt-free indulgence thanks to the air fryer’s magic makes this recipe even more enchanting.

» You might like these Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs.

Ingredients for Chicken Wings

You’ll need the following ingredients for these chicken wings:

• 1 pound chicken wings – If they aren’t cut into pieces when you buy them, you might have to remove the wing tip and detach the wing joint.
• Extra virgin olive oil – I like the flavor that the olive oil adds to the chicken, however you can use any cooking oil you want. It just helps crisp up the skin. If you want to spray the chicken with oil, that’s fine too, just make sure you coat them well to keep the skin from drying out.
• Paprika – Use Spanish paprika if you have it. It gives a lovely color and nice sweet flavor. You could also use a smoked paprika if you like a smoky flavor.
• Salt and pepper – we keep this recipe very simple so you can decide what sauce or seasoning you want to add once they’re cooked.

Expert Tips to Follow

• Air frying time will vary based on the size of your air fryer and how many wings you put in the basket. You will need to increase the cook time for larger wings or when cooking more than 1 pound at a time.
• If you want to baste the wings with sauce, do a first basting after 14 minutes and a second after 17 minutes.
• There is no need to spray the basket or preheat the air fryer before cooking.
• The wings don’t need to be in a single layer to cook properly. It’s okay if they overlap.

How to Make Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer

Step 1

Rinse and pat the wings dry. Removing any excess moisture from the wings will help the skin crisp up. Detach the wings at the joint, if necessary. I have to do this about half the time that I buy them, depending on the brand.

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine the wings with the olive oil, paprika, salt and pepper. Toss to coat the pieces evenly. If you want, you can add a dry rub or seasoning salt if you want more flavor.

You can also spray the wings once you’ve put them in the air fryer, if you don’t want to toss them in the oil. This will save you the extra bowl too.

Step 3

Put the wings in the air fryer basket. It’s okay if they overlap. They don’t need to be in a single layer to cook properly. Cook the wings on 400° F (200°C) for 20 minutes.

At the halfway point, shake the basket so you move the wings around. This will help them get cooked evenly on all sides. You might do another shake near the end of cooking, too.

PRO TIP – If you want to add a glaze to the air fryer wings, do it after the first shake, and around the 14 minute mark. Use a basting brush to brush on BBQ sauce, Franks Buffalo sauce, or any other glaze of your choice, if you want to.

Step 4

After 20 minutes, the wings will be nice and crispy and ready to serve. If your wings were a little on the large side, you may need to cook them longer to make sure they’re cooked through. Insert a meat thermometer and make sure the wings have reached 165° F. If not, put them back in for a few more minutes.

Dipping Sauce Options

If you’re looking for a sauce to serve them with, check out these dips for chicken wings. I personally love to serve them alongside:

• Irresistible Smoke Bourbon BBQ sauce
• Sweet soy sauce glaze
• Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
• Simple Honey Sriracha sauce

Can I Double this Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe?

Yes, you can double the recipe and make up to 2 pounds of chicken wings at a time, if you have a larger air fryer. I have a 5.5-quart air fryer basket and I find that 1.5 pounds of wings is the max that will fit without them being too crowded to get crispy.

When doubling, air fry for 22-25 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. Air frying 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.

Cooking Chicken Wings from Frozen

Many times we forget to take the chicken out of the freezer ahead of time and are left with chicken wings that are frozen solid. I get the question often: can I make chicken wings from frozen in the air fryer? You absolutely can make them from frozen! Aside from the extra time it takes to cook, you won’t even notice a difference. So if you’re pressed for time and haven’t defrosted the wings yet, don’t worry. Just put the frozen wings into the air fryer and let it do the work.

Place the frozen wings into the air fryer basket. Start it cooking at 400° F for 40 minutes. After 10 minutes, shake the basket. Halfway through cooking, shake the basket again. Spray the wings with cooking spray and season with salt and pepper.

About 5 minutes to the end of cooking, shake the basket again and give another spray of oil. If your wings were quite large, you might want to check the internal temp with a meat thermometer to make sure it’s come up to the right temperature of 165°F.

How to Reheat Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer

The air fryer is the perfect way to reheat your leftover chicken wings without sacrificing their crispy, juicy texture. The circulating air in the air fryer makes the skin of the wings crispy and returns them to their original glory.

Since wings are on the small side, they reheat fairly quickly. It will take just 5-6 minutes to reheat chicken wings in the air fryer. 

• First of all, arrange the wings in the air fryer, taking care to place them in a single layer. This is important so that each wing gets surface air circulation to quickly recrisp the skin without overcooking the inside.
• Set the air fryer temperature to 365° F. Air fry the wings for 5 to 6 minutes, or until they’re heated through. For optimum results, flip the wings over about halfway through to ensure both sides get crispy skin.
• Note that if your chicken wings have a sauce containing sugar, you should cook them at 330° F for 8 minutes instead, to avoid burning.

In order to be safe to eat, chicken should have an internal temperature of at least 165° F. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to determine whether the temperature has reached this safe level.

Questions About the Recipe

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.

Chicken recipes are always handy to have for a quick dinner. Try air fryer chicken drumsticks, or this easy air fryer whole chicken recipe.

Related Posts:

• 6 Benefits of An Air Fryer: Why You Need One
• Essential Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
• Air Fryer Crispy Breaded Shrimp

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