Air Fryer Hot Wings: A Spicy, Crispy Treat

Chicken wings are a popular snack, especially for parties or game days. They can be made in an air fryer, which is a healthier alternative to deep-frying. The air fryer's fan and heating mechanism create a whirlwind of hot air that swirls around the wings, crisping up the skin to golden perfection without the added calories of frying oil.

Air fryer chicken wings are super easy to make and only require a few simple ingredients. The wings are seasoned and cooked in the air fryer for a few minutes, and then tossed in a sauce of your choice. They can be served with dips and sides such as blue cheese dressing, celery, and carrots.

You can also make different variations of air fryer chicken wings, such as buffalo wings, lemon pepper wings, or Asian-style wings.

How to make hot wings in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds of chicken wings (about 16 whole wings, yielding 32 flats and drumettes)
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 stick melted butter
• 1/2 cup hot sauce (e.g. Frank's RedHot® Original Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce)
• 1/2 cup blue cheese dressing (e.g. Ken's chunky blue cheese dressing)
• 3 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese or gorgonzola (optional)
• Oil (e.g. avocado, canola, or vegetable oil)
• Salt

Method:

• If your wings are full, separate them into drums and flats.
• Make sure they are defrosted.
• Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel.
• Place the wings into a bowl and add oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to cover the wings.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for a few minutes.
• Add the wings in a single layer to the air fryer (they should not be touching) and cook for 10 minutes at 400°F.
• After 10 minutes, open the air fryer and carefully flip over the chicken wings.
• Cook for another 8-12 minutes at 400°F.
• Meanwhile, mix butter and hot sauce in a large bowl.
• When the wings are ready, add them to the bowl and toss to coat.
• Serve immediately with blue cheese and celery sticks, if desired.

How long to cook hot wings in an air fryer

The cooking time for hot wings in an air fryer depends on the desired level of crispiness and the size of the wings. It is important to ensure that the wings are dry before placing them in the air fryer, as this will help them crisp up. Additionally, it is recommended to cook the wings in a single layer to allow for proper air circulation.

Cooking Time for Crispy Wings:

• One source recommends cooking wings at 400°F for a total of 20 minutes, flipping them after the first 10 minutes.
• Another source suggests cooking wings at 400°F for 10 minutes, then flipping and cooking for an additional 8-12 minutes, depending on the size of the wings.
• A third source recommends cooking wings at 360ºF for 18 minutes, shaking the basket every 6 minutes, then increasing the temperature to 390ºF and cooking for an additional 5-6 minutes.

Cooking Time for Juicy Wings:

• One source recommends cooking wings at 400°F for a total of 20 minutes, flipping them after the first 10 minutes.
• Another source suggests cooking wings at 400°F for 10 minutes, then flipping and cooking for an additional 8-12 minutes, depending on the size of the wings.
• A third source recommends cooking wings at 400°F for 22 minutes for juicy wings, or 25 minutes for crispier wings.

How to make hot wings crispy in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Chicken wings
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Pepper
• Baking powder (optional)
• Your choice of wing sauce

Method:

• Prep the chicken wings: Separate the wings into drums and flats. Make sure they are defrosted and pat them dry with a paper towel. This step is important to ensure the wings get crispy.
• Season the chicken wings: Place the wings in a bowl and drizzle olive oil over them. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to completely coat the wings. You can also add baking powder to the seasoning to make the wings even crispier.
• Preheat the air fryer: Set the air fryer to 400°F and preheat for a few minutes.
• Cook the chicken wings: Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. Cook for 10 minutes at 400°F.
• Flip the wings: After 10 minutes, open the air fryer and carefully flip over the chicken wings. Close the air fryer and cook at 400°F for another 8-12 minutes, depending on the size of the wings.
• Check for doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the wings reaches at least 165°F. If the skin is not crispy enough, cook for a few more minutes.
• Serve: Remove the chicken wings from the air fryer and serve with your favorite wing sauce or enjoy them as is!

Tips for Crispy Wings:

• Ensure the wings are completely dry before placing them in the air fryer. This will help remove excess moisture and promote crispiness.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Allow space between the wings for air to circulate, which will help crisp up the skin. You may need to cook the wings in multiple batches.
• Be flexible with the cooking time. Adjust the cooking time depending on the size of your wings. Larger wings may need more time, while smaller wings may need less time.
• If you want to add sauce to your wings, consider dunking them in the sauce instead of tossing them in a bowl. This will help maintain the crispiness of the skin.

How to reheat hot wings in an air fryer

Preparation

Before reheating your wings, it's important to prepare them properly to ensure the best results. If you're using leftover wings, it's best to store them in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator to keep them fresh for 3-5 days. If you want to store them for longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months in a regular freezer or up to a year in a deep freezer. Just remember to thaw them for 24-48 hours in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating in the Air Fryer

Now, let's get to the reheating process! Start by preheating your air fryer to 350°F (177°C). While the air fryer is preheating, remove the wings from the refrigerator to let them warm up a bit. This will help ensure even cooking.

To make cleanup easier, you can line the air fryer basket with foil or parchment paper. Once the air fryer is preheated, place a single layer of chicken wings on the lined basket. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can affect cooking times and evenness.

Cook the wings for 2-5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). You can use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature and ensure they're thoroughly heated.

Tips for the Best Results

• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the wings and remove them from the air fryer as soon as they reach 165°F (74°C) to prevent overcooking and drying out.
• If your wings are overlapping or touching, you may need to add an extra 2-3 minutes to the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
• If your wings are sauced, consider using a small air fryer pan, or placing foil or parchment paper rounds with small amounts of sauce underneath the wings to catch any drips and keep the sauce on the wings.
• Spray the wings with a light spritz of oil during cooking if they don't seem to be getting crispy enough.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your reheated hot wings with your favorite dips, such as ranch or blue cheese dressing. For sides, try creamy polenta with Parmesan, roasted sweet potato cubes, or Israeli couscous. Enjoy your crispy, tender, and flavorful wings!

What to serve with hot wings

There are many side dishes that can complement hot wings, whether they are cooked in an air fryer or not. Here are some ideas:

Salads

A fresh garden salad with seasonal vegetables like tomatoes and carrots on a bed of lettuce is a great way to balance out the rich and bold flavours of hot wings. Alternatively, a carrot salad or a creamy Caesar salad can also be a good pairing.

Potato-based dishes

Potato wedges, French fries, sweet potato fries, tater tots, or potato salad are all great options to serve alongside hot wings. For an extra indulgent option, you can try loaded potato wedges or smashed potatoes with toppings like bacon, sour cream, jalapeños, and cheese.

Dips

Blue cheese sauce, buttermilk ranch dressing, or honey mustard are classic dips that go well with hot wings. For something more unique, you can try a hot onion dip, spinach artichoke dip, or a creamy cinnamon dip.

Bread

Cornbread, cheddar bay biscuits, parmesan bread bites, or garlic butter crescent rolls can help soak up the sauce from the hot wings.

Vegetables

Vegetables like celery, carrots, or sliced red peppers are a healthy option to serve with hot wings. They can be paired with dips like blue cheese or ranch dressing.

Other sides

Some other side dishes that can go well with hot wings include onion rings, coleslaw, pretzel bites, grilled corn, nachos, or baked beans.

Frequently asked questions