Air Fryer Raw Wings: Is It Possible?

Chicken wings are a popular snack, especially during game day and watch parties. They are typically deep-fried, baked, or grilled, but air fryers have emerged as a faster and healthier alternative for cooking chicken wings. Air fryers use forced circulating hot air to make the skin of the chicken wings super crisp, while keeping the insides tender and juicy.

The process of cooking chicken wings in an air fryer is simple. First, coat the chicken wings with a mixture of oil and your choice of seasonings. Popular seasonings include garlic salt, lemon pepper, paprika, and cayenne. You can also use a store-bought barbecue rub or a combination of your favourite spices. Ensure that the chicken wings are dry before coating them with the oil and seasoning mixture.

Next, place the chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It is important not to overcrowd the basket to allow for even cooking and maximum crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken wings in batches.

Cook the chicken wings at 370°F to 400°F for 10 minutes, then flip them over and cook for another 10 minutes. Finally, increase the heat to 400°F and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and golden brown.

You can serve the chicken wings as is, or toss them in your favourite sauce, such as buffalo sauce or barbecue sauce. Enjoy!

How long to cook chicken wings in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook raw chicken wings in an air fryer. In fact, many people prefer to cook chicken wings in an air fryer because it takes less time than baking and the wings come out crispier than when cooked in an oven.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken wings (drums and flats) (defrosted if frozen)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

• Prep the chicken wings. If full wings, separate them into drums and flats. Make sure they are defrosted. Pat them dry completely (this will help them get crispy).
• Place the wings into a bowl and drizzle olive oil over them. Toss to coat. Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to completely coat the wings.
• Preheat the Air Fryer to 400 F degrees for 2 minutes. Add wings in a single layer to the air fryer (they should NOT be touching), and cook for 10 minutes at 400 F degrees.
• After the timer goes off, open and carefully flip over the chicken wings. Cook for 8 more minutes. Remove the chicken wings and serve.

Tips:

• Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture before seasoning and cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the wings in batches if necessary.
• For crispier wings, increase the temperature of the air fryer during the last few minutes of cooking.
• If you like your wings spicy, toss them in your favourite hot sauce after cooking.

How to get crispy chicken wings in an air fryer

Ingredients

You will need:

• Chicken wings
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Lemon pepper seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika

Method

• Start by preheating your air fryer to 360ºF.
• Place the chicken wings into a gallon-size Ziplock bag, then drizzle with olive oil, lemon pepper seasoning, and salt. Seal the bag, keeping the air inside, and shake to evenly coat the wings.
• Add the wings to the air fryer basket in a single layer so they’re not overlapping – touching is fine.
• Air fry the wings for 18 minutes, shaking the basket every 6 minutes, or until the chicken wings are golden brown. There is no need to flip them as shaking will ensure the wings cook evenly.
• Increase the heat to 390ºF then cook for another 5 to 6 minutes, shaking the basket every 2 minutes, until the wings are brown and crispy.
• Serve with your favourite dips and don't forget the carrots and celery sticks!

Tips for crispy wings

• Don't overlap the wings. Air fryers make food crispy by circulating air around them, so if there’s no room for air to circulate, the wings won’t crisp up. That said, you may need to Air Fry in two batches.
• Be flexible with the cooking time. Wings come in various sizes so you might need to increase or decrease the cooking time depending on their size.
• Don't toss the wings in sauce if you want them to be extra crispy. Dunking them instead will ensure the crispiest skin.

Should you oil chicken wings before air frying?

Air-fried chicken wings are a delicious, healthier alternative to deep-fried wings. The air fryer's hot air circulation cooks the wings evenly, resulting in a crispy exterior and juicy interior.

Oil or No Oil?

While it is not necessary to oil chicken wings before air frying, doing so can enhance the flavour and texture. A light coating of oil helps the seasonings stick to the wings and promotes a crispier skin. Olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil are all suitable options.

Seasoning

Regardless of whether you choose to oil your wings, seasoning is essential. Basic seasonings like salt and pepper are a must, but feel free to experiment with other spices and herbs like garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder to add extra flavour.

Breading

If you're looking for an extra crispy wing, consider coating them in a dry rub or breading before air frying. This can be as simple as a mixture of flour and spices or something more complex like a batter. Keep in mind that breaded wings may require a slightly longer cooking time to ensure the breading is cooked through.

Cooking Instructions

When you're ready to cook your wings, preheat your air fryer to around 380-400°F (193-204°C). Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between each wing to allow for even cooking. Cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through. For an extra crispy finish, increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for an additional 2-5 minutes.

Sauces and Dips

Air-fried chicken wings are delicious on their own, but you can take them to the next level with a variety of sauces and dips. Classic options include buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, and blue cheese dressing. For something different, try a sweet and spicy Asian-inspired sauce or a tangy lemon pepper seasoning.

Tips for Crispy Wings

• Pat the wings dry before cooking to remove any excess moisture, as this can prevent the skin from crisping.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Allow space for air to circulate around each wing. You may need to cook in batches.
• Toss or flip the wings periodically during cooking to ensure even cooking and browning.
• For the crispiest skin, increase the temperature to 400°F for the final few minutes of cooking.
• If using frozen wings, thaw them before cooking for the best results. Frozen wings may take longer to cook and may not crisp up as nicely.

Can you switch up the seasoning?

Yes, you can switch up the seasoning!

There are many different seasoning options for air fryer chicken wings. Some recipes suggest a simple combination of olive oil, salt, and lemon pepper seasoning, while others recommend a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also experiment with different types of pepper, such as white pepper or black pepper, to find the flavor that you prefer.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can try a Memphis-style dry rub that includes dark brown sugar, sweet paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, poultry seasoning, mustard powder, and black pepper. Or, if you want to add some heat, toss your wings in buffalo sauce, or add some cayenne pepper to your seasoning blend.

For an Asian-inspired twist, you can serve your wings with Thai sweet chili sauce or a drizzle of hot honey. Or, keep it classic with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

No matter which seasonings or sauces you choose, your air fryer chicken wings are sure to be a delicious treat!

Should you sauce wings before or after air frying?

There are a few different opinions on whether you should sauce wings before or after air frying. Some people prefer to sauce their wings before air frying as it can help the sauce stick to the wings better. Others find that saucing the wings before air frying can make the sauce burn. If you are looking for crispy wings, it is generally recommended to sauce them after air frying. This way, you can ensure that the wings are nice and crispy before adding the sauce.

Tips for saucing wings:

• If you are using a thicker sauce, you may need to thin it out with a little bit of water or oil before tossing the wings.
• If you want the sauce to really stick to the wings, you can return them to the air fryer for a few minutes after saucing.
• If you are making a large batch of wings, you may want to separate them into two groups: plain and sauced. That way, you can please everyone!

Air Frying Tips:

• Pat the wings dry before air frying to help them get crispy.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Make sure there is enough space between the wings for air to circulate.
• Start the wings at a lower temperature and then increase the temperature for the last 5-15 minutes to get them extra crispy.
• Shake the air fryer basket throughout the cooking process to help the wings brown more evenly.

Frequently asked questions