Air Fryer Chicken Wings: How To Cook Them Perfectly

Air fryers are a popular way to cook chicken wings, with many people opting for this method over deep frying or using an oven. Air-fried chicken wings are considered healthier, faster, and crispier than other cooking methods. They are also said to be juicy, tender, and perfectly seasoned. The cooking time for air-fried chicken wings varies depending on the size of the wings and the desired level of crispiness, but on average, they take around 16 to 24 minutes to cook.

Air fryer chicken wings recipe

Air fryer chicken wings are a healthier alternative to deep-fried wings, with a crisp exterior and a juicy, tender interior. They are also much easier to cook, requiring fewer ingredients and less time. Here is a detailed recipe for air fryer chicken wings:

Ingredients:

• Chicken wings (split into flats and drumettes)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Lemon pepper seasoning
• Butter
• Hot sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Garlic powder
• Chopped parsley
• Ranch dressing

Method:

• Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel. This will help remove any excess moisture and ensure crispy skin.
• Season the wings generously with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like lemon pepper or garlic powder.
• Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Ensure they are not touching each other. If necessary, line up the drumettes along the sides.
• Set the air fryer to 360-380 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 12 minutes.
• Flip the wings and cook for another 12 minutes.
• Increase the temperature to 390-400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes, or until the skin is crispy.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
• Add hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder to the melted butter and whisk to combine.
• Toss the cooked wings in the butter-hot sauce mixture until coated.
• Serve the wings with ranch dressing and chopped parsley on the side.

Tips:

• For even crispier wings, chill the seasoned wings uncovered in the refrigerator for an hour or two before cooking.
• If your air fryer basket is small, cook the wings in batches to ensure even cooking.
• You can experiment with different sauces and seasonings to create your favorite flavors.

Air fryer vs oven

Air fryers have become increasingly popular for cooking chicken wings, but how do they compare to the traditional method of using an oven?

Taste and texture

Air fryers are known for producing chicken wings with a crispy texture and juicy centre, which can be hard to achieve in an oven. The oven-baked wings tend to have a "'flabby' skin" and can be too crispy if overcooked. Air fryer wings are also said to have a more distinct "baked-on" flavour.

Cooking time

Air fryers significantly reduce cooking time compared to ovens. Wings can be cooked in an air fryer in less than 30 minutes, while an oven can take up to an hour for the wings to bake until crisp. The shorter cooking time in an air fryer also means less energy usage, resulting in cost savings.

Ease of use and clean-up

Air fryers are considered easier to use than ovens, with less smoke and cleanup. They also heat up the house less than a traditional oven.

Size and capacity

One disadvantage of air fryers is their limited size and capacity. They can typically fit around 2 pounds of wings, but larger batches may need to be cooked in multiple batches.

Customisation

Both air fryers and ovens offer flexibility in terms of flavours and seasonings. However, air fryers may require some experimentation to perfect a recipe, especially when trying to replicate the results of an oven-baked wing.

In conclusion, air fryers offer a faster, easier, and more energy-efficient way to cook chicken wings with a crispy texture and juicy centre. However, ovens still produce tasty wings and may be preferred for larger batches or when a more traditional cooking method is desired.

Air fryer cooking time

Air fryer chicken wings are a healthier alternative to deep-fried wings, and they take a fraction of the time to cook. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the wings and the model of the air fryer. However, on average, the wings take less than 20 minutes to cook.

Before cooking, ensure the wings are as dry as possible by patting them with a paper towel. This helps to remove any excess moisture, making the skin puff up and blister during frying, resulting in a crispy texture. You can also marinate the wings with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, or any other seasoning of your choice. Let the wings rest for at least 30 minutes after marinating.

When cooking, place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch each other. The initial cooking time is typically around 10 minutes at 400°F. After this, carefully flip the wings and cook for an additional 8 minutes at the same temperature. If the skin is not crispy enough, you can add a few more minutes to the cooking time. To ensure doneness, use a thermometer probe to check that the internal temperature of the wings reaches at least 165°F.

Air fryer chicken wings are a quick, easy, and healthy option that results in crispy and juicy wings without the need for deep frying or a long oven cook time.

Air fryer chicken wings seasoning

Air fryers are a great way to prepare chicken wings, as they are healthier than deep frying and yield a crisp exterior and tender interior. The high-speed and high-temperature air circulation in the air fryer creates a very crisp skin that is hard to replicate in a conventional oven.

Pat the wings dry

Use a paper towel to pat the chicken wings dry before seasoning. This will ensure the skin puffs up and blisters during air frying, creating a beautiful paper-thin and crisp exterior.

Marinate the wings

You can marinate the chicken wings in a mixture of olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add some hot sauce to the marinade if you like it spicy. Let the wings rest for at least 30 minutes so that the flavours can permeate the meat.

Use a dry rub

If you prefer a dry rub, you can mix together salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, Italian seasoning, brown sugar, onion powder, poultry seasoning, mustard powder, and paprika. Toss the wings with the spice mix until they are fully coated.

Baking powder

Baking powder is a key ingredient to creating golden brown and crispy skin. It reacts with the chicken skin by raising its pH level.

Cooking spray

Before placing the wings in the air fryer, spray the air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray to prevent the wings from sticking.

Cooking time

The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your wings, but on average, it takes about 10 minutes at 380°F, followed by an increase in temperature to 400°F for 6-8 minutes, or until the wings are golden brown and crispy. You can also air fry for 18-22 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through, to ensure even cooking.

Serving suggestions

Serve your air fryer chicken wings with ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, hot sauce, or buffalo sauce on the side. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Air fryer chicken wings calories

Air fryer chicken wings are a healthier alternative to deep-fried wings. They are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. The circulating hot air in the air fryer makes the skin crispy, which is hard to achieve in a conventional oven.

The calorie count for air-fried chicken wings varies depending on the recipe and the size of the wings. One source estimates that a serving of air-fried chicken wings contains 231 calories, with a macronutrient breakdown of 3% carbs, 40% fat, and 58% protein. Another source estimates that a pack of 10 chicken wings, totalling 485 grams raw, would yield 830 calories after air frying. A third source estimates that a serving of air-fried chicken wings contains 274 calories, with 20 grams of fat, 23 grams of protein, and 1 gram of carbohydrates.

The cooking time for air-fried chicken wings is typically around 16 to 22 minutes, and they can be cooked in batches if needed. It is recommended to pat the chicken wings dry before cooking to remove any excess moisture and help achieve a crispy texture. Additionally, increasing the temperature during the last few minutes of cooking can help crisp the skin.

Air fryer chicken wings are a quick, easy, and relatively healthy option for those who enjoy crispy and juicy chicken wings.

Frequently asked questions