Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings: Is It Possible?

Chicken wings are a great snack for game day or a quick meal, and you can cook them from frozen in an air fryer! No need to defrost them first; just season, cook, and toss them in your favourite sauce. The air fryer will give you crispy skin and juicy meat without the mess of deep-frying.

How to cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer. In fact, cooking frozen chicken wings in an air fryer is a "game-changer" and will save you time and effort.

First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This will take about 3-5 minutes. Preheating your air fryer is important as it ensures the wings cook evenly and get that delicious crispy exterior.

While the air fryer is heating up, take your frozen wings and toss them with your chosen seasonings. You don't need oil as the air fryer's cooking method means the wings will cook without it. However, a little oil can help the seasonings stick if you prefer.

Next, place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they're not overcrowded, as this will allow the hot air to circulate freely around each wing, ensuring even cooking and crispiness.

Cook the wings for about 25-30 minutes. If the wings are precooked and frozen, air fry them for 15-20 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, open the air fryer and flip the wings to ensure they get crispy on all sides.

Your wings should be golden brown and crispy when done. To be extra sure they're cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C).

Once cooked, toss the wings in your favourite sauce. Do this in a bowl to ensure they're evenly coated.

Serve your crispy wings straight from the air fryer with some celery sticks, carrot sticks, and your favourite dipping sauce on the side.

Tips:

• Always preheat your air fryer.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket – give each wing its own space.
• Halfway through cooking, flip the wings.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the wings.
• It's best to add BBQ sauce or buffalo wing sauce during the last few minutes of cooking or toss the cooked wings in the sauce afterwards. Adding sauce too early can prevent the wings from getting crispy and might cause burning due to the sugar content in the sauces.
• A light spritz of cooking oil can help the seasoning stick to the wings and promote a crispier finish, but use it sparingly.
• If your wings are stuck together, separate them by microwaving for about 30 seconds before putting them in the air fryer.

The best temperature to cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer! It's an easy and quick way to make chicken wings with tender meat and crispy skin.

• Defrost the Wings: Place the frozen wings in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 9-10 minutes to defrost.
• Toss with Seasonings: Remove the wings from the air fryer and place them in a bowl. Add olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to taste, and toss until the wings are coated with the spices.
• Cook the Wings: Place the seasoned wings back into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Flip the wings halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
• Prepare the Glaze (Optional): While the wings are cooking, you can prepare a honey buffalo glaze by whisking together buffalo sauce, honey, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl.
• Toss Wings with Glaze (Optional): Once the wings are cooked, you can toss them with the honey buffalo glaze or your favorite sauce.
• Serve: Serve the wings with celery sticks, carrot sticks, and your favorite dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Tips for Cooking Frozen Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the wings in a single layer to allow proper airflow and even cooking.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the wings are cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
• If you are using pre-cooked frozen wings, cook them at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
• You can also cook breaded frozen wings in the air fryer. Cook at 400°F for 14 minutes without the need to shake or redistribute during cooking.

How to defrost frozen chicken wings

There are several ways to defrost frozen chicken wings. Here are some detailed, direct, and instructive steps on how to do it:

Using an Air Fryer

Place the frozen wings in the basket of your air fryer and cook them at 400°F for 9-10 minutes. This will defrost the chicken. After this, remove the wings and place them in a bowl. Drain any liquid that has accumulated in the air fryer basket to prevent the wings from becoming soggy.

Using a Microwave

This method is best if you plan to cook the chicken immediately after thawing. Place the chicken in a leakproof plastic bag to prevent water damage to the meat and to stop bacteria from infecting the food. Then, fill a large bowl or your kitchen sink with cold water and submerge the bagged chicken. Change out the water every 30 minutes.

Using a Refrigerator

This method requires more preparation time, but it is the most recommended. Place the frozen chicken in the refrigerator and let it thaw for a full day. Once thawed, the chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for one or two days before cooking.

Using Cold Water

Fill a large bowl or your kitchen sink with cold water. Submerge the bagged chicken in the water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Do not use hot water, as this will start to cook the chicken.

It is important to note that frozen chicken wings can also be cooked directly from frozen in an air fryer, oven, or on a stove without prior defrosting. However, this will increase the cooking time.

How to reheat frozen chicken wings in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer! Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to reheat frozen chicken wings in an air fryer:

Defrosting the Wings

Place the frozen wings in the air fryer basket and cook them at 400 °F for 9-10 minutes. This will defrost the chicken and prepare it for cooking.

Preparing the Wings

Once defrosted, remove the wings from the air fryer and place them in a bowl. It is important to drain any liquid that has accumulated in the air fryer basket.

Now, add your choice of seasonings and oil to the wings. You can use a simple mixture of olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss the wings until they are evenly coated with the spices.

Cooking the Wings

Place the seasoned wings back into the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer temperature to 400 °F and cook for 10-12 minutes. For the best results, flip the wings halfway through the cooking process.

Checking for Doneness

To ensure the wings are cooked thoroughly, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The wings are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165 °F.

Serving the Wings

You can serve the wings as-is or toss them with your favorite sauce. A simple honey buffalo sauce can be made by mixing buffalo sauce, honey, and Worcestershire sauce.

Tips for Perfect Wings

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the wings in a single layer to ensure proper airflow and even cooking.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and ensure the wings are thoroughly cooked.
• You can experiment with different sauces and seasonings to find your favorite flavor combinations.
• If you want crispier wings, increase the temperature to 400 °F for the last minute of cooking.

Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and juicy air-fried chicken wings!

How to store leftover frozen chicken wings

Leftover chicken wings can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four or five days. To reheat, simply toss them in the air fryer for two to three minutes at 375°F to 400°F. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving.

Frequently asked questions