Air-Fryer Chicken Wings: The Ultimate Guide

Chicken wings are a beloved snack and appetizer, but they can be time-consuming to make and messy to deep fry. The air fryer offers a quicker, healthier, and less messy way to cook chicken wings.

Air-fried chicken wings are just as crispy and juicy as deep-fried wings but require less oil and time. The air fryer's high temperature and circulating air create a crisp skin that cannot be achieved in an oven.

To make chicken wings in an air fryer, coat the wings in a mixture of oil and seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Then, preheat the air fryer to 400°F and cook the wings in a single layer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, flip the wings and cook for an additional 8-12 minutes, or until they are crispy and golden brown.

For extra crispy wings, pat the wings dry with paper towels before adding the oil and seasonings. Additionally, ensure that the wings are not overlapping in the air fryer to allow for even cooking and crisping.

Air-fried chicken wings can be served as-is or tossed in a variety of sauces, such as buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, or ranch dressing. They make a perfect game-day snack or crowd-pleasing appetizer.

How long to cook chicken wings in an air fryer?

Chicken wings are a great option to prepare in an air fryer as they are healthier than deep-fried wings and take less time than oven-baked wings. The cooking time for chicken wings in an air fryer is between 16 to 25 minutes in total, depending on the air fryer model and the desired crispiness of the wings. Here is a step-by-step guide on how long to cook chicken wings in an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Wings

Before cooking the chicken wings, it is important to prepare them properly. Start by patting the wings dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial as it helps the wings become crispy. If the wings are frozen, make sure to defrost them by leaving them in the refrigerator overnight. Once they are dry, you can season them with your desired spices and oil. Common seasonings include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. You can also use a pre-made seasoning blend if you prefer.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Most air fryers will require a few minutes to preheat. You can also spray the air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray to prevent the wings from sticking.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken Wings

Place the seasoned chicken wings in the air fryer basket, ensuring that they are in a single layer and not touching each other. This allows for proper air circulation during cooking. Cook the wings at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.

Step 4: Flip and Continue Cooking

After the initial 10 minutes, open the air fryer and carefully flip the chicken wings over. Close the air fryer and continue cooking at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for another 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the size of the wings and your desired level of crispiness.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the chicken wings are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve them with your favorite dips or sauces.

Tips for Cooking Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer:

• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the wings in batches if necessary to ensure proper air circulation.
• For crispier wings, increase the temperature of the air fryer during the last few minutes of cooking.
• If you prefer saucy wings, toss the cooked wings in your favorite sauce and return them to the air fryer for an additional 3 to 5 minutes.
• For best results, use fresh or thawed chicken wings. Frozen wings may not cook evenly.
• Always ensure that your chicken wings are fully cooked before serving. The internal temperature of the wings should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

By following these steps and adjusting the cooking time based on your air fryer and desired crispiness, you can enjoy delicious, crispy chicken wings prepared in your air fryer.

How to make chicken wings in an air fryer?

How to Make Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer

Ingredients

• Chicken wings
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Lemon pepper seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Pepper
• Baking powder (optional)
• White pepper (optional)
• Your choice of sauce (optional)

Method

• First, prep the chicken wings. If they are whole wings, separate them into drums and flats. Make sure they are defrosted.
• Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel. This is important so they get crispy.
• Place the wings into a bowl. Add olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat the wings. You can also add in your choice of sauce.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for a few minutes.
• Add the wings to the air fryer in a single layer. Make sure they are not touching each other. 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.
• Remove the chicken wings and serve with your favorite dips or sauces!

Tips

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.
• Make sure the wings are fully thawed out and pat them dry.
• Preheat the air fryer.
• You can also coat the wings with baking powder for extra crispiness.

Can you put raw chicken in an air fryer?

Yes, you can put raw chicken in an air fryer. In fact, cooking raw chicken in an air fryer is a great way to make crispy, juicy chicken wings without deep frying.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds chicken wings
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 tablespoon neutral oil, such as avocado oil

Instructions:

Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Then, season the chicken wings with salt and white pepper, along with baking powder and neutral oil. Mix until the wings are evenly coated.

Place the chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer and air fry for 10 minutes at 400°F. After 10 minutes, flip the chicken wings and air fry again for 8-12 minutes at 400°F, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.

Serve the wings as is or with your favorite wing sauce. Enjoy!

Tips for the Crispiest Wings:

• Make sure the wings are fully thawed and pat them dry before cooking. This will help ensure that there is no excess moisture on the wings, so they come out nice and crisp.
• Preheat the air fryer. Similarly to an oven, air fryers require a bit of time to heat up before cooking. Set the temperature to 400°F and allow the air fryer to preheat.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in batches. Leave enough space around each wing to allow for air circulation, and flip them over halfway through cooking.

How to store and reheat chicken wings?

Storing and reheating chicken wings is a great way to make the most of your leftovers! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to store and reheat chicken wings in an air fryer:

Storing Chicken Wings:

It is important to store your leftover chicken wings properly to prevent bacterial growth and maintain their freshness. Here are the steps you should follow:

• Use an airtight container: Place the leftover chicken wings in an airtight container or a zippered plastic bag. This will help keep them fresh and prevent them from drying out or absorbing unwanted odors from the refrigerator.
• Refrigerate within two hours: It is crucial to refrigerate the leftover wings within two hours of cooking to ensure food safety.
• Maintain a cold temperature: Keep your refrigerator temperature below 40°F (4°C) to create an optimal environment for storing leftovers.

Reheating Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer:

Now, let's move on to the reheating process, which will bring your leftover chicken wings back to life!

• Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 350°F to 400°F. Preheating ensures that the air fryer is hot enough to crisp up the wings effectively.
• Prepare the wings: You can place the wings directly in the air fryer basket or use a small air fryer pan, especially if your wings are sauced. This will help with cleanup and prevent sticking.
• Arrange the wings: Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer, ensuring they are not overlapped or touching. This allows for even cooking and air circulation.
• Lightly coat with oil (optional): For an extra crispy texture, you can lightly brush or spray the wings with a small amount of cooking oil before reheating.
• Reheat the wings: Place the wings in the preheated air fryer and cook for 2-3 minutes initially. Then, flip or shake the wings to ensure even cooking.
• Continue cooking: Reheat for an additional 2-5 minutes, depending on the size of the wings and your desired level of crispiness. Keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking.
• Check for doneness: Use a meat thermometer to verify that the internal temperature of the wings reaches 165°F (74°C). This is the recommended temperature to ensure food safety.

By following these steps, you can enjoy your leftover chicken wings with crispy skin and tender meat, just like they were freshly cooked!

What to serve with chicken wings?

Chicken wings are a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of side dishes and sauces. Here are some ideas for what to serve with chicken wings:

Side Dishes

• Onion rings
• Potato wedges
• Veggies and dip (such as celery, carrots, and ranch dressing)
• Saratoga Chips (thin and crispy potato chips) with Sweet BBQ sauce and ranch dressing
• Coleslaw
• Pretzel bites and cheese sauce
• Garden salad
• Fries (regular, Parmesan Garlic Aioli, or specialty)
• Chili-Lime Street Corn
• Tater tots (such as Ranchero Tots with cheese, bacon, jalapeños, cilantro, and chipotle ranch)
• Caesar salad
• Nachos
• Desserts (such as brownies or cookies)

Sauces

• Buffalo sauce
• Buttermilk ranch dressing
• Blue cheese sauce
• Honey mustard
• Barbecue sauce
• Teriyaki sauce
• Sriracha mayo
• Garlic Parmesan sauce
• Sweet chili sauce
• Soy-ginger glaze

Frequently asked questions