Air Fryer Wings: Can You Cook Them?

Chicken wings are a beloved dish, but not everyone wants to spend hours preparing them. An air fryer can be a great shortcut to making crispy, juicy wings without the lengthy cooking time of an oven or the mess of deep frying. Air-fried wings are healthier, too, as they require much less oil. So, how do you make them?

How long to cook chicken wings in an air fryer

Air fryer chicken wings are a healthier alternative to deep-fried wings and take much less time to cook. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the wings, so adjust the time accordingly.

To make juicy and crispy chicken wings, first, pat them dry with paper towels. This step is essential to getting a crispy coating. Then, mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and baking powder in a small bowl and sprinkle the seasoning over the wings. The baking powder reacts with the chicken skin to raise the pH level and creates tiny air bubbles, resulting in a beautiful paper-thin and crispy exterior.

After seasoning the wings, preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 2 minutes. Then, place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. Spray the top of the wings with cooking spray and air fry for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, flip the wings and cook for another 8-12 minutes, until they are crispy and golden brown. The total cook time will depend on the size of the wings and the air fryer but may take up to 20 minutes.

If the skin isn’t crispy enough, add a few more minutes of cooking time until the desired crispness is achieved. To ensure doneness, use a thermometer probe to make sure the internal temperature of the wings reaches at least 165°F.

How to get crispy chicken wings in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook chicken wings in an air fryer! Here's how to get them crispy:

First, pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. This step is important as it ensures the skin puffs up and blisters during air frying, giving you that sought-after crispiness.

Next, season the wings. You can use salt and white pepper, along with baking powder and a neutral oil like avocado, canola, or vegetable oil. Mix until the wings are evenly coated. The baking powder is another key step in achieving crispy wings as it reacts with the chicken skin, raising its pH level and creating tiny air bubbles, which help form a crispy coating.

Now you're ready to air fry! Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 2 minutes, then place the wings inside and air fry for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, flip the wings and air fry for another 7-12 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your wings, so adjust accordingly. If you want them extra crispy, increase the temperature to 400°F for the last few minutes of cooking.

Once the wings are golden and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve with your favorite sauce or seasoning. Popular choices include buffalo sauce, ranch, BBQ sauce, blue cheese, and honey mustard. Enjoy!

What temperature to cook chicken wings in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook chicken wings in an air fryer. They are a healthier way to prepare wings without deep frying or a long oven cook time. The speed and temperature of the air circulating in the air fryer create a very crisp skin that is hard to achieve in an oven.

To cook chicken wings in an air fryer, first, pat them dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This will help to ensure the skin puffs up and blisters during cooking. You can then season the wings with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne, or use a marinade with olive oil and hot sauce.

The temperature and time you cook chicken wings in an air fryer will depend on the size of the wings and how crispy you like them. Most recipes recommend cooking at 380°F for 25 minutes, removing the basket and tossing the wings every 5 minutes. You can then increase the heat to 400°F and cook for another 5 to 8 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and golden brown.

You can also cook chicken wings in two batches at a lower temperature first to render the fat and then at a higher temperature to crisp the skin. For example, you can cook the wings at 400°F for 10 minutes, flip them, and then cook for another 8 to 12 minutes.

To ensure doneness, use a thermometer probe to make sure the internal temperature of the chicken wings reaches at least 165°F.

How to season chicken wings for an air fryer

Yes, you can cook chicken wings in an air fryer! The air fryer is a great way to make crispy, juicy chicken wings without deep frying or a long oven cook time.

Now, to the important part: seasoning. There are a few different ways to season your chicken wings for the air fryer, depending on your taste preferences. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to season and cook chicken wings in an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Wings

Start by patting the chicken wings dry with paper towels. This step is crucial to achieving crispy wings. You want to get rid of any excess moisture.

Step 2: Choose Your Seasonings

There are a variety of seasonings you can use for your chicken wings. Here are some options:

• Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and baking powder (make sure to use aluminum-free baking powder, as this will affect the flavor).
• Lemon pepper seasoning, salt, and extra virgin olive oil.
• Salt, garlic powder, and cayenne.
• Paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Step 3: Season the Wings

Once you've chosen your seasonings, mix them together in a small bowl. Then, sprinkle the seasoning mix over the chicken wings, tossing them to coat evenly. You can do this in a large bowl or a gallon-size Ziplock bag. If using a Ziplock bag, seal it tightly, keeping the air inside, and give it a good shake.

Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 360°F and 400°F. The exact temperature may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model.

Step 5: Arrange the Wings in the Air Fryer

Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray. Place the wings in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping or touching. For extra crispy wings, arrange them skin-side up.

Step 6: Cook the Wings

Cooking times may vary depending on the size of your wings and your air fryer. For smaller wings, cook at 400°F for 10 minutes, then increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for another 5-8 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and golden brown. For larger wings, cook at 360°F for 18 minutes, shaking the basket every 6 minutes, then increase the heat to 390°F and cook for another 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket every 2 minutes, until the wings are done.

Step 7: Sauce and Serve

Once the wings are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes. Then, toss them in your favorite sauce, such as buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or hot sauce. Serve and enjoy!

How to reheat chicken wings in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook chicken wings in an air fryer! They will be super crispy and juicy, and it will take you less than an hour to cook them.

Now, to reheat chicken wings in an air fryer, follow these steps:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer. Different sources recommend preheating to anywhere between 350°F and 375°F. One source recommends 360°F (182°C) for the best results. Preheat for about 3-5 minutes.

Next, prepare the wings. You can spritz or spray them with a little water, oil, butter or cooking spray. This will help seal in moisture and promote crispiness. You can also add extra salt or pepper for fresh seasoning and taste.

Then, place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space for the hot air to circulate. Make sure they are not touching.

Now, you can reheat the wings for about 5-10 minutes. Flip the wings halfway through for the best results, so that both sides get crispy. Keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking and cover them with foil if they are browning too quickly.

Finally, check the internal temperature of the wings with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure that harmful bacteria are destroyed.

Your chicken wings are now ready to be served!

Frequently asked questions