Air Fryer Frozen Wings: Tips And Tricks

Making frozen chicken wings in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a tasty meal on the table in under 30 minutes. There's no need to defrost the wings first, and you can have them crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of the wings and your air fryer, but generally, you'll want to cook them for around 20 minutes at 400°F.

Here's a simple recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

- 1 pound of frozen chicken wings

- 2 tablespoons of olive oil

- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder

- 1/4 teaspoon of paprika

- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place the frozen wings in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 10 minutes to defrost.

2. Remove the wings from the air fryer and drain any liquid from the basket.

3. Add olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, and salt and pepper to the wings, tossing until coated.

4. Place the wings back in the air fryer and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

5. (Optional) Prepare a honey buffalo sauce by whisking together buffalo sauce, honey, and Worcestershire sauce. Brush the glaze on top of the wings before serving.

Do I need to defrost frozen chicken wings before putting them in the air fryer?

You can cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer without defrosting them first. However, if they are stuck together, you should defrost them just enough to separate them. This can be done by microwaving them for about 30 seconds.

If you are cooking wings from fresh or thawed, it only takes a couple of hours to defrost them in cold water.

Ingredients:

• 12 frozen chicken wing pieces (flats and drumettes)
• 1/2 tsp salt (optional)

Method:

• Place the frozen wings in the basket of your air fryer in a single layer.
• Set the air fryer temperature to 400°F.
• Cook for 20 minutes or until the chicken wings register 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
• Remove the basket from the air fryer and transfer the wings to a bowl.
• Toss the wings with salt or your favourite sauce.

You can also add a dry rub or seasoning to your wings. Here is a suggested combination of spices:

• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Pepper

What temperature should I cook frozen chicken wings in the air fryer?

There are a few different approaches to cooking frozen chicken wings in an air fryer, depending on the type of wings you have and the results you want. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer, with some tips on temperature and cooking time.

Step 1: Prepare the Wings

Firstly, check what type of wings you have. Frozen chicken wings can be raw or pre-cooked, breaded or unbreaded, and sauced or unsauced. If your wings are breaded or sauced, you may need to adjust your cooking method to avoid burning the breading or sauce.

Next, check if your wings are stuck together. If they are, you will need to defrost them slightly so you can separate them. You can do this by microwaving them for about 30 seconds.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. This is the temperature most recipes recommend for cooking frozen chicken wings, as it will ensure your wings are cooked through and give them a crispy texture.

Step 3: Cook the Wings

Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. If you have a lot of wings, you may need to cook them in batches.

Cooking time will depend on the type of wings you have. For pre-cooked frozen wings, cook for 11-14 minutes. For uncooked frozen wings, cook for 16-19 minutes. If your wings are breaded, you may need to adjust the cooking time to ensure the breading is cooked through without burning.

Halfway through the cooking time, flip the wings to ensure even cooking.

Step 4: Check the Wings are Cooked

Check that the wings are cooked through by using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the wings should be 165°F. If the wings are not fully cooked, return them to the air fryer and cook in 2-minute intervals until they reach the correct temperature.

Step 5: Add Sauce (Optional)

If you want to add sauce to your wings, it is best to do this after cooking to avoid burning. Place the cooked wings in a bowl and toss them in your chosen sauce. Popular options include buffalo, BBQ, and honey buffalo sauce.

Step 6: Serve

Serve your wings with carrot and celery sticks, and a dipping sauce such as blue cheese or ranch dressing.

Tips

• If your wings are frozen together, defrost them slightly so you can separate them before placing them in the air fryer.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer. Cook the wings in batches if necessary, to ensure they cook evenly.
• Always check that the internal temperature of the wings reaches 165°F to ensure they are cooked through.
• If you are adding sauce, do this after cooking to avoid burning.
• If you are reheating leftover wings, place them in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 400°F.

How long do I cook frozen chicken wings in the air fryer?

It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the wings, the model of your air fryer, and whether or not your wings are breaded. Always ensure your chicken is cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) by checking with a meat thermometer.

Defrosting

To defrost your wings, place them in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F (204°C) for 9-10 minutes.

Cooking

Once defrosted, toss your wings with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika to coat them with the spices. Then, place them back into the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F (204°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Breaded Wings

If your wings are breaded, you can skip the defrosting stage and simply cook them at 400°F (204°C) for 14 minutes.

What sauces can I use for frozen chicken wings in the air fryer?

There are many sauces you can use for frozen chicken wings in the air fryer. You can either cook the wings first and then toss them in your favourite sauce, or cook the wings with the sauce already on them.

If you want to cook the wings first and then add the sauce, you can cook them for 11-14 minutes for precooked frozen wings, and 16-19 minutes for uncooked frozen wings. Then, you can toss them in your favourite sauce. Popular options include buffalo, blue cheese, and BBQ sauce.

If you want to cook the wings with the sauce already on them, you can add two packages (about 16 wings) of sauced frozen wings to the air fryer and cook for 18 minutes at 400°F. However, be aware that this method can result in rubbery skin and spots where the sauce has burned.

You can also make your own sauce to toss the wings in after cooking. For example, you could make a honey buffalo sauce by mixing buffalo sauce, honey, and Worcestershire sauce. Or, you could make a dry rub with a combination of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

How do I reheat frozen chicken wings in the air fryer?

Reheating frozen chicken wings in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get delicious, crispy wings. Here is a step-by-step guide to doing it successfully:

Step 1: Prepare the Wings

If your frozen wings are stuck together, you should thaw them slightly first. Place them in the microwave for around 30 seconds, just enough to separate them. You can also leave them on the counter for 15 minutes to make it easier to remove the packaging.

Step 2: Initial Cook

Place the frozen wings in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with space between them. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 6-10 minutes. This will defrost the wings and start the crisping process.

Step 3: Season

Remove the wings from the air fryer and place them in a bowl. Drain any liquid that has accumulated in the basket. Add your chosen seasonings and toss the wings until they are well coated. You can use a simple mixture of olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper, or try other spices like lemon pepper, chili powder or cayenne pepper.

Step 4: Final Cook

Place the wings back in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The total cooking time will depend on the size of the wings and your air fryer model, so keep an eye on them. The wings are done when they are crispy and golden brown, with an internal temperature of 165°F. Check this with a meat thermometer.

Step 5: Sauce (Optional)

You can serve the wings as they are, or toss them with your favourite sauce. Try a simple honey buffalo sauce made by mixing buffalo sauce, melted butter and honey. Other options include barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, garlic butter or ranch dressing.

Tips:

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook the wings in batches if needed, so that they have space to crisp up.
• Drain any water in the basket after the initial cook. This will help the wings get crispier.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the wings are fully cooked.
• If you are reheating already cooked wings, cook them at 350°F for 12-16 minutes.

Frequently asked questions