Air Fryer Whole Wings: Is It Possible?

Chicken wings are a beloved snack, but frying them can be messy and time-consuming. Luckily, air fryers provide a shortcut to making crispy, juicy wings without the hassle of deep frying.

Air fryers use a fan and heating mechanism to create a whirlwind of hot air that crisps up the skin of chicken wings to golden perfection. This method also reduces calories when compared to deep frying.

There are a few key steps to making wings in an air fryer. Firstly, it is important to pat the wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Then, season the wings with salt and pepper, and other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, and white pepper. Some recipes also suggest coating the wings in baking powder, which reacts with the chicken skin to make it even crispier.

Next, place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping. Cook the wings at around 360-400°F for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for another 8-12 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.

For extra crispy wings, increase the temperature to 390°F for the last few minutes of cooking. You can also toss the wings in your favourite sauce, like buffalo, BBQ, or Thai sweet chilli sauce, after they come out of the air fryer.

Air fryer chicken wings are best enjoyed fresh, but any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat in the air fryer at 360°F for 4 minutes, or until heated through.

Air fryer chicken wings recipe and ingredients

Air fryer chicken wings are a healthier alternative to deep-fried wings and take a fraction of the time to cook. The air fryer's rapid heat circulation produces a crisp exterior comparable to deep-fried wings.

Ingredients:

• Chicken wings (drums and flats)
• Neutral oil (avocado, canola, or vegetable)
• Spices: kosher salt, white pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper
• Baking powder
• Sauce (optional): BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, etc.

Recipe:

• Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
• In a bowl, season the wings with salt, white pepper, baking powder, and oil. Mix until evenly coated.
• Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring adequate space for air circulation.
• Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes.
• Flip the wings and air fry again at 400°F for 8-12 minutes, depending on their size, until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
• Serve with your favourite sauce or enjoy as is!

Tips:

• Ensure the wings are completely defrosted if frozen.
• Pat the wings dry before seasoning to promote crispiness.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
• Increase the temperature during the final minutes of cooking for extra crispiness.
• Reheat any leftovers in the air fryer at 360°F for 3-4 minutes.

How to cook chicken wings in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken wings (drums and flats)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Olive oil
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Pepper

Method

• Prep the chicken wings. If the wings are whole, 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 for a few minutes.
• Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer (they should not be touching) and cook for 10 minutes at 400°F.
• Flip the wings and cook for another 8 minutes at 400°F.
• Remove the wings from the air fryer and serve with your favorite dips or sides.

Tips

• You can use your favorite seasoning blend instead of the one suggested.
• To ensure the wings are crispy, pat them dry with a paper towel before adding the oil and seasoning.
• You can also add baking powder to the seasoning to make the wings even crispier.
• If you are cooking frozen wings, increase the cooking time by a few minutes.

How to make chicken wings in an air fryer extra crispy

Ingredients:

• Chicken wings
• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Pepper
• Baking powder (optional)
• White pepper (optional)

Method:

• Prep the chicken wings: If you have full wings, separate them into drums and flats. Make sure they are defrosted.
• Dry the wings: Use paper towels to pat the wings completely dry. This step is important to ensure the wings become crispy.
• Season the wings: Place the wings in a bowl and add olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss the wings to ensure they are fully coated. You can also add in your favourite seasoning blend.
• Preheat the air fryer: Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and preheat for a few minutes.
• Cook the wings: Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer, ensuring they are not touching. Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.
• Flip the wings: After 10 minutes, open the air fryer and carefully flip over the chicken wings.
• Cook for a further 8 minutes: Close the air fryer and cook the wings at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for another 8 minutes.
• Serve: Remove the wings from the air fryer and serve with your favourite dips or sides.

Tips for Extra Crispy Wings:

• Ensure the wings are fully defrosted before cooking.
• Pat the wings as dry as possible before cooking.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer. Cook the wings in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching.
• For even crispier wings, you can add baking powder to the seasoning mix.
• For an extra crispy coating, you can also add white pepper to the seasoning mix.

How to store and reheat leftover air fryer chicken wings

Storing leftover chicken wings is easy. Place them in an airtight container or zip-lock bag and put them in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking. They will keep for 3-5 days.

To reheat chicken wings in an air fryer, first preheat the air fryer to 350°F to 400°F. Place the leftover chicken wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Reheat for 5 to 7 minutes, flipping them over about halfway through. The wings are done when their internal temperature reaches 165ºF.

If you are reheating sauced wings, it is recommended to use a small air fryer pan or line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil or parchment paper to avoid a mess. Reheat sauced wings for 4 to 5 minutes at 350°F.

Air fryer chicken wings cooking time and temperature

Air fryer chicken wings are a quick and easy meal to make. The cooking time and temperature for air fryer chicken wings vary depending on the recipe and the size of the wings. Here is a guide on how to make air fryer chicken wings, along with some tips and tricks to ensure they turn out crispy and delicious.

Ingredients:

Most air fryer chicken wing recipes call for the following ingredients:

• Chicken wings (drums and flats)
• Oil (neutral oil such as avocado, canola, or vegetable oil, or extra virgin olive oil)
• Seasonings (such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and/or lemon pepper seasoning)
• Baking powder (to make the wings extra crispy)

Cooking Instructions:

The cooking instructions for air fryer chicken wings can vary depending on the recipe, but here is a general guide:

• Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Prep the chicken wings by separating them into drums and flats, if necessary.
• Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
• Place the chicken wings in a bowl and add the oil, seasonings, and baking powder (if using). Toss to coat the wings evenly.
• Place the chicken wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching.
• Air fry the chicken wings at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.
• Flip the chicken wings and air fry for an additional 8-12 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
• Serve the chicken wings with your favorite dipping sauces, such as buffalo sauce, ranch, or blue cheese dressing.

Tips for Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings:

• Ensure the chicken wings are completely defrosted before cooking.
• Pat the chicken wings dry before seasoning to remove excess moisture and help them crisp up.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the chicken wings in batches if necessary.
• Shake or flip the chicken wings during cooking to ensure even cooking and browning.
• Adjust the cooking time as needed depending on the size of the wings. Smaller wings may take less time to cook, while larger wings may take longer.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken wings. They are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Frequently asked questions