Air Fryer Hot Wings: Can You Do It?

Air fryers are a great way to make hot wings, offering a healthier alternative to deep frying without compromising on taste or texture. The high temperatures and speed of the air circulating in the fryer create a very crispy skin that is difficult to replicate in an oven. The wings are also tender and juicy, with a crunchy exterior.

There are a variety of recipes for air-fried hot wings, but most involve coating the wings with a dry rub of herbs, spices, and baking powder, before air frying for around 10 minutes at 400°F. The wings are then flipped and cooked for a further 7-12 minutes. After cooking, the wings can be tossed in a sauce of your choice, such as hot sauce, melted butter, or store-bought buffalo sauce.

So, if you're looking for a delicious, healthier way to enjoy hot wings, get out your air fryer and give it a go!

How long to cook hot wings in an air fryer

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings are the secret to having delicious wings at home. They are cooked perfectly with a crunchy exterior and moist inside.

Ingredients:

• Chicken wings
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Other spices of your choice
• Sauce of your choice

Steps:

Firstly, pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel. Then, place the chicken wings into a bowl and add oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat the wings.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for a few minutes. Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. Air fry them for 10 minutes, then flip them and air fry for another 8-12 minutes at 400°F until they are golden brown and crispy.

The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your wings, so adjust the time accordingly. To ensure doneness, use a thermometer probe to make sure the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F.

Once the wings are cooked, you can serve them as is or toss them in your favourite sauce. Enjoy!

How to season hot wings for an air fryer

Preparation

Pat your chicken wings dry with paper towels. If your wings are whole, separate them into drumettes and flats. You can do this by locating the joint that connects the two and slicing through it with a knife. You can also remove the wing tips and discard them or save them for stock.

Seasoning

There are many ways to season your wings. Here are some suggestions:

• Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and black pepper
• Olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
• Flour, baking powder, and whatever herbs and spices you want
• Lemon pepper seasoning, olive oil, and salt
• Olive oil, salt, and pepper

Marinating

After seasoning, let the wings marinate for at least 30 minutes or as long as overnight.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. Spray the basket with cooking spray and place the wings inside, ensuring they are not overlapping. Cook for 10 minutes, then increase the temperature to 400°F and cook until crispy and golden, about 6-8 more minutes.

Alternatively, you can cook the wings at 360ºF for 18 minutes, shaking the basket every 6 minutes, and then increase the heat to 390ºF and cook for another 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket every 2 minutes, until the wings are brown and crispy.

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 or a long oven cook time.

The speed and temperature of the circulating air in the air fryer create a very crisp skin that you can't achieve in an oven. Air-fried chicken wings are also healthier, as they require much less oil than deep-fried wings.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of chicken wings (split into flats and drumettes)
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped parsley for serving (optional)
• Ranch dressing for serving (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 380°F.
• Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels.
• Transfer the wings to a large bowl and toss with olive oil, paprika, and garlic powder. Then, season with salt and pepper.
• Place the chicken wings in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching.
• Cook for 10 minutes, then increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes, or until the wings are golden brown and crispy.
• Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with ranch dressing on the side, if desired.

Tips:

• It is important to pat the chicken wings dry before marinating to remove excess moisture and help them get crispy.
• You can line up the chicken wings upright along the sides of the air fryer to fit more in the basket without overcrowding.
• Increase the temperature during the last few minutes of cooking to make the wings crispier.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. You may need to cook the wings in batches.
• For extra crispiness, use baking powder. It reacts with the chicken skin by raising its pH level and creating tiny air bubbles, resulting in a beautiful golden brown and crispy coating.

How to store and reheat leftover hot wings

To store leftover hot wings, place them in an airtight container or a sealed plastic bag and put them in the fridge within two hours of cooking. They will stay fresh for three to four days.

When you're ready to reheat your leftover hot wings, preheat your air fryer to 350°F–400°F. Place the wings inside the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overlapping or touching. Spritz the wings with a small amount of oil if you like. Reheat for two to seven minutes, depending on the size of the wings and the power of your air fryer. Flip the wings, then continue to reheat for another two to seven minutes, or until they are heated through.

You can also reheat sauced wings in an air fryer, but be cautious as the sauce may burn. It is recommended to reheat the wings first and add the sauce afterward.

How to get the crispiest hot wings in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy, juicy chicken wings without deep-frying or using a long oven cook time. Here are some tips to ensure your wings turn out perfectly:

Preparation:

• Start with defrosted chicken wings. If your wings are frozen, leave them in the refrigerator overnight to defrost.
• Separate the wings into drums and flats.
• Pat the wings dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step is important to ensure the wings get crispy.
• Place the wings into a bowl and add oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat the wings evenly. You can also add some hot sauce to the marinade.
• For extra crispiness, add a little baking powder to the mixture. Baking powder reacts with the chicken skin to raise the pH level and create tiny air bubbles, which help form a crispy coating.

Cooking:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. This allows for air to circulate freely and ensures even cooking.
• Cook the wings for 10 minutes, then flip them over.
• Increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for another 8-12 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your wings.
• For even crispier skin, increase the temperature to 425°F or 450°F for the final few minutes of cooking.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the wings reaches at least 165°F.
• Toss the cooked wings in your favorite sauce or enjoy them as is.

Tips:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. If you are cooking a large batch of wings, you may need to cook them in multiple batches.
• Line up the wings standing upright along the sides of the air fryer to fit more in at once. This won't affect how they cook.
• Shake or flip the wings every few minutes during cooking to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• If you are using an oven air fryer, the cooking time may be longer.

With these tips, you'll be able to make the crispiest hot wings in your air fryer! Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions