Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings: A Quick, Easy Treat

Cooking frozen chicken wings in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a tasty snack or meal. It's a convenient method as there's no need to defrost the wings first, and you can go straight from freezer to feast in about half an hour. The air fryer also makes the wings crispy without the mess of deep-frying, and with minimal oil.

To make frozen chicken wings in an air fryer, first preheat your air fryer to around 400°F (200°C). Then, take your frozen wings and toss them with your chosen seasonings – a simple mixture of garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper usually works well. You can also add a little oil to help the seasonings stick if you like, but it's not necessary. Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they're not overcrowded, and cook for about 20–30 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The wings are done when they're golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C).

Once the wings are cooked, you can toss them in your favourite sauce, such as honey buffalo sauce, barbecue sauce or teriyaki sauce. Serve with some celery and carrot sticks, and your favourite dipping sauce on the side.

How long to cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer

You can cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer in about half an hour, with minimal preparation and fuss. This method is perfect for impromptu snacks or gatherings.

First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes. While the air fryer is heating up, take your frozen wings and toss them with your chosen seasonings. You don't need to add oil, but a little can help the seasonings stick if you prefer.

Next, place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they're not overcrowded. This allows the hot air to circulate freely, cooking the wings evenly and ensuring crispiness.

Cook the wings for about 25-30 minutes. If they are precooked and frozen, air fry them for 15-20 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, open the air fryer and flip the wings to ensure they get crispy on all sides.

Your wings should be golden brown and crispy when done. To be extra sure, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C).

Once cooked, toss the wings in your favourite sauce. Do this in a bowl to ensure they're evenly coated. Serve your crispy wings straight from the air fryer with some celery and carrot sticks on the side, along with your favourite dipping sauce.

Cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the wings, as well as the model of your air fryer. It's always a good idea to use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of your wings. For the best results, consider thawing the wings beforehand to ensure even cooking and crispy skin.

How to make frozen chicken wings in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Frozen chicken wings
• Your favourite seasonings (e.g. salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dry rub seasoning, lemon pepper)
• Your choice of sauce (e.g. buffalo hot sauce, BBQ, honey garlic, teriyaki sauce)
• Olive oil (optional)

Method:

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to heat up for around 3-5 minutes. Place the frozen wings in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Cook for 10 minutes to defrost.

Remove the wings from the basket and place them in a bowl. Drain any liquid that has accumulated in the basket. Add olive oil (if using), and your chosen seasonings, and toss until the wings are coated.

Place the wings back in the air fryer basket and cook for a further 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the wings are cooked through. Flip the wings halfway through.

Once cooked, toss the wings in your chosen sauce. Serve with celery and carrot sticks, and your favourite dipping sauce on the side.

Tips:

• Don't overcrowd the basket. Allow space for air to circulate freely around the wings for even cooking and crispiness.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the wings are cooked through.
• Add more spice to your sauce if you prefer a hotter flavour.
• If your wings are stuck together, microwave them for around 30 seconds before placing them in the air fryer.
• For breaded wings, add all-purpose flour or baking powder at the same time as your seasonings.

What temperature to cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer! There's no need to defrost them first, although you may need to separate them if they're stuck together. You can cook them straight from frozen for tender meat and crispy skin.

Temperature and Timing

The cooking temperature and timing will depend on the type of frozen wings you're using. They might be pre-cooked or raw, breaded or unbreaded, or sauced. Here are some general guidelines:

• For plain frozen wings, cook at 400°F for 20 minutes. There's no need to flip them or move them around, but cook them in a single layer.
• For reheating fully cooked plain wings, put 12 wings in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for 12-16 minutes, tossing them with sauce afterward.
• For breaded frozen wings, cook at 400°F for 14 minutes. There's no need to shake or redistribute during cooking.
• For sauced frozen wings, cook at 400°F for 18 minutes.
• For pre-cooked frozen wings, cook at 400°F for 11-14 minutes.
• For uncooked frozen wings, cook at 400°F for 16-19 minutes.

Tips

• It's important to not overcrowd the air fryer to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Cook the wings in a single layer, and cook in batches if needed.
• Make sure the wings are fully cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
• If your wings don't have breading or sauce, cook them first and then toss them in your favourite sauce afterward. This will prevent the sauce from burning in the air fryer.
• You can season the wings with a dry rub before air frying, such as garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
• If your wings are stuck together, microwave them for about 30 seconds to thaw them just enough to separate them.
• You can reheat leftover wings in the air fryer. Simply place them back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 400°F until hot.

Can you cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer without defrosting them first?

Yes, you can cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer without defrosting them first. In fact, it is the preferred method for cooking frozen chicken wings, as it results in crispy skin and juicy meat. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer:

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) and let it heat up for about 3-5 minutes. Preheating ensures that the wings cook evenly and get a crispy exterior.

Step 2: Season the Wings

While the air fryer is heating up, take your frozen wings and toss them with your chosen seasonings. You can use a variety of seasonings such as salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dry rub seasoning, or lemon pepper. You can also use a store-bought seasoning blend like McCormick's Montreal Chicken Seasoning or Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning. A light spritz of cooking oil can help the seasoning stick to the wings, but it is not necessary.

Step 3: Arrange the Wings

Place the seasoned wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. This allows for proper air circulation, ensuring even cooking and crispiness.

Step 4: Cook the Wings

Cook the frozen wings for about 20-25 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are cooking precooked frozen wings, the cooking time will be shorter, about 15-20 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, open the air fryer and flip the wings to ensure even crisping on all sides.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

Your wings should be golden brown and crispy when done. To ensure food safety, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the wings has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).

Step 6: Sauce Them Up (Optional)

Once the wings are cooked, you can toss them in your favorite wing sauce, such as buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, honey garlic sauce, or teriyaki sauce. Do this in a bowl to ensure even coating.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Serve your crispy wings straight from the air fryer with some celery sticks, carrot sticks, and your favorite dipping sauce on the side.

Tips and Tricks:

• Always preheat your air fryer for the best results.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Give each wing its own space to allow for proper air circulation.
• Flip the wings halfway through the cooking time to ensure even crisping on all sides.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the wings are cooked through.
• If using a sauce, add it during the last few minutes of cooking or toss the cooked wings in the sauce afterward. Adding sauce too early can prevent crisping and may cause burning due to the sugar content in the sauce.
• If desired, use a light spritz of cooking oil to help the seasoning stick to the wings and promote crispiness.

How to make frozen chicken wings in an air fryer with sauce

Ingredients:

• Frozen chicken wings
• Your choice of sauce (e.g. BBQ, buffalo, honey garlic, teriyaki)
• Olive oil (optional)
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Dry rub seasoning
• Lemon pepper

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
• Place the frozen wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
• Cook for 20-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the wings are golden brown and crispy.
• Check that the internal temperature of the wings has reached 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are fully cooked.
• Remove the wings from the air fryer and place them in a bowl.
• Add your chosen sauce to the bowl and toss the wings until they are evenly coated.
• Serve the wings with celery and carrot sticks, and your favourite dipping sauce on the side.

Tips:

• You can play around with different spices and sauces to find your favourite combination.
• It is not necessary to defrost the wings before cooking, but if they are stuck together, microwave them for about 30 seconds to separate them.
• Preheating the air fryer and flipping the wings halfway through will ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Use a meat thermometer to check that the wings have reached the correct internal temperature.

Frequently asked questions