Air Fryer Boneless Wings: Quick Cooking Times Explained

How Long Do Boneless Wings Take in an Air Fryer?

Air fryers are a quick and convenient way to make delicious, crispy wings. But how long do boneless wings take in an air fryer?

On average, boneless wings will take between 8 to 12 minutes to cook in an air fryer. However, the exact cooking time may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, as well as the size and number of wings being cooked.

For best results, it is recommended to cook boneless wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring that they are not overlapping. This allows for proper air circulation and even cooking. Additionally, flipping or shaking the basket halfway through the cooking process can help ensure even browning and crispiness.

It is also important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on whether you are cooking fresh or frozen boneless wings. Frozen boneless wings may require a few extra minutes to cook thoroughly.

By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your boneless wings turn out perfectly crispy and delicious every time!

How to cook boneless wings in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Boneless chicken wings (fresh or frozen)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Buffalo sauce (optional)
• Blue cheese dressing (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (177°C).
• Pat the boneless wings dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
• Place the wings in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with space around each wing.
• Lightly spray the wings with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
• Cook the boneless wings for 8-10 minutes at 350°F (177°C), flipping or shaking the basket halfway through cooking. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is cooked through.
• If desired, toss the cooked boneless wings in buffalo sauce to coat.
• Serve the boneless wings with blue cheese dressing on the side.

Tips

• For frozen boneless wings, defrost in the air fryer at 400°F for 10 minutes before cooking.
• Ensure the wings are in a single layer in the air fryer basket to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.
• For extra crispy wings, pat the chicken dry before placing in the air fryer.
• If cooking a large batch, cook the boneless wings in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
• To store leftovers, place the wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
• To reheat, place the wings in the air fryer at 350°F (177°C) for 2-3 minutes, or until warmed through.

How to make frozen boneless wings in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Boneless chicken wings (frozen)
• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Pepper
• Buffalo sauce (optional)
• Blue cheese dressing (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
• Lightly pat the tops and bottoms of your boneless wings to remove excess moisture.
• Place the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl and mix.
• Spray your air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray if your air fryer tends to stick. Place your wings into the basket, leaving room around each of them.
• Sprinkle the tops of your wings with the seasoning mixture, reserving half for later.
• Cook the boneless wings for 8 to 10 minutes. Flip or lightly shake the basket halfway through cooking and season the other side. Chicken is cooked once it hits 165°F.
• Place your fried boneless chicken wings in a bowl and pour the buffalo sauce over the top, if using. If you need to do two batches, reserve half for the next batch. Use tongs to flip and cover the boneless wings. Serve with blue cheese dressing, if desired.

Tips:

• For extra crispiness, pat the chicken dry before placing it in the air fryer.
• Ensure there is an even distribution of seasoning with no clumps.
• Give the chicken pieces enough space in the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation.
• Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.

Dipping Sauces:

• BBQ sauce
• Honey Sriracha sauce
• Blue cheese dressing
• Ranch dressing

How to reheat boneless wings in an air fryer

Reheating boneless wings in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving crispy, delicious wings:

Preparation

Before reheating your boneless wings, it is important to ensure they are stored correctly. Leftover wings can be kept in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or frozen for up to a year. If frozen, allow the wings to thaw in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours before reheating.

Reheating Process

• Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer to 350°F (177°C).
• Allow wings to warm up: While the air fryer is preheating, remove the wings from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature.
• Line the air fryer basket: For easy cleanup, it is recommended to line the air fryer basket with foil or parchment paper.
• Place wings in the air fryer: Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
• Reheat: Cook the wings for approximately 2-5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). An instant-read thermometer can be used to check the temperature.

Tips for Best Results

• Use an instant thermometer to check the internal temperature of the wings. This will ensure they are thoroughly reheated without drying out.
• Spray the wings with a light spritz of oil during the reheating process if they appear to be lacking crispness.
• For easy cleanup, line the air fryer basket with foil or parchment paper before placing the wings inside.
• Preheating the air fryer is essential for achieving crispy skin on your reheated wings.

Sauced Wings

If you are reheating sauced wings, it is recommended to line the air fryer basket with foil or parchment paper to minimize smoke and dripping. Follow the same reheating process as outlined above.

Variations

Although the air fryer is the preferred method for reheating boneless wings, there are alternative options:

• Oven: Use the broil setting and place the wings on a rimmed baking sheet. Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
• Microwave: Place the wings on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 1-2 minutes. This method will not result in crispy skin.
• Frying Pan: Heat a tablespoon of oil in a heavy cast-iron skillet and fry the wings until the skin is crispy. Finish in the oven at 350°F (177°C) for 5 minutes if the center is not warm enough.

Serving Suggestions

Reheated boneless wings can be served with a variety of dips and sides, such as ranch or blue cheese dressing, celery sticks, and carrot sticks.

Enjoy your delicious, crispy boneless wings!

How to make boneless wings in an air fryer with sauce

Ingredients:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breast
• All-purpose flour
• Cayenne pepper
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Butter
• Hot sauce
• Olive oil spray
• Eggs
• Cornstarch (optional)
• Baking powder (optional)

Steps:

• Cut the chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch by 2 inches.
• Prepare the egg mixture: Crack and whisk the eggs in a shallow bowl or pie plate. Coat the chicken pieces completely in the egg mixture.
• Make the flour mixture: In a separate bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch (optional), cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
• Coat the chicken: Working in batches, remove the chicken from the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off. Place the chicken into the flour mixture and turn to coat well.
• Cook the chicken: Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between them. Spray the chicken with olive oil spray to help build crispness. Start by cooking for 5 minutes, then flip the chicken and spray them again with oil. Cook until the boneless chicken bites are golden brown. The total cook time will depend on the size of your chicken pieces, but it should take around 10-15 minutes.
• Make the sauce: While the chicken is cooking, make the buffalo wing sauce by mixing butter and hot sauce in a saucepan over medium-low heat until the butter melts completely.
• Toss the chicken in the sauce: Once the chicken is cooked, place them in a bowl and pour the sauce over them. Toss with a spoon to coat the chicken pieces.
• Serve: Serve immediately with your favourite dipping sauce, such as blue cheese or ranch dressing, and carrot and celery sticks on the side.

Tips:

• For gluten-free wings, swap out the all-purpose flour for almond flour or rice flour.
• To store leftovers, transfer the boneless wings to an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• To reheat, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (177°C) and cook for about 5 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

How to make boneless wings in an air fryer without sauce

Ingredients

• Boneless chicken wings (fresh or frozen)
• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Pepper

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
• Lightly pat the tops and bottoms of your boneless wings to remove excess moisture.
• Place the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl and mix.
• Spray your air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray if your air fryer tends to stick. Place your wings into the basket, leaving room around each of them.
• Sprinkle the tops of your wings in the air fryer, reserving half of the seasoning for later.
• Cook the boneless wings for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping or lightly shaking the basket halfway through cooking and seasoning the other side. Chicken is cooked once it hits 165°F.
• Place your fried boneless chicken wings in a bowl. Serve with blue cheese dressing.

Tips

• If you are cooking frozen boneless wings, cook at 400°F for 10 minutes to defrost. Remove the wings and put them in a bowl. Drain any liquid in the basket.
• Don't overcrowd the basket. Only cook a single layer of wings at a time. You need plenty of airflow in between your chicken wings in order for them to cook thoroughly.
• Always make sure your wings have reached an internal temperature of 165°F before consuming.

Frequently asked questions