Air Fryer Chicken Wings: How Long To Fry?

Chicken wings are a beloved snack and appetizer, but frying them can be a messy and time-consuming affair. Air fryers provide a quick and easy alternative to frying chicken wings, producing a crispy exterior and a juicy interior. The cooking time for chicken wings in an air fryer depends on the weight of the wings and the desired crispiness, but generally, they take between 16 and 25 minutes to cook.

How to prep chicken wings for the air fryer

Preparing chicken wings for the air fryer is simple and only takes a few minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Defrost the Chicken Wings

If your chicken wings are frozen, be sure to defrost them by leaving them in the refrigerator overnight.

Step 2: Separate the Wings

If the wings are full, separate them into drums and flats.

Step 3: Pat the Wings Dry

This step is important to ensure the wings get crispy. Use paper towels to pat them dry completely.

Step 4: Season the Wings

Place the wings into a bowl and add your choice of seasonings. You can use a basic blend of oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, or try something different like lemon pepper, white pepper, or hot sauce. Toss the wings to ensure they are evenly coated.

Step 5: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes.

Step 6: Arrange the Wings in the Air Fryer

Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. This allows for even cooking and crispiness.

Step 7: Cook the Wings

Cook the wings at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, then carefully flip them over and cook for an additional 8-12 minutes, depending on their size.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!

Remove the chicken wings from the air fryer and serve with your favorite dips and sides. Enjoy!

How to season chicken wings for the air fryer

To make the crispiest chicken wings in the air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• Defrosted chicken wings (drums and flats)
• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Pepper

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Wings

Separate the wings into drums and flats if they come together. Make sure the wings are defrosted. Pat them dry completely as this will help make the skin crispy.

Step 2: Season the Chicken Wings

Place the wings in a bowl and drizzle olive oil over them. Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss the wings to ensure they are evenly coated with the seasoning. You can also use your favourite seasoning blend.

Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken Wings

Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching each other. Cook the wings at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.

Step 5: Flip and Cook Again

After 10 minutes, open the air fryer and carefully flip over the chicken wings. Close the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for another 8 minutes.

Step 6: Serve

Remove the chicken wings from the air fryer and serve them with your favourite dips and side dishes.

How long to cook chicken wings in the air fryer

Air Fryer Chicken Wings are a healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken wings or those cooked in an oven. They are crisp on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside. The air fryer's circulating hot air makes the skin super crisp, which is challenging to achieve in a traditional oven.

The cooking time for chicken wings in an air fryer depends on the weight of the wings and the model of the air fryer. For example, two pounds of chicken wings take 23-24 minutes to cook in a large air fryer. It is recommended to start cooking them at 360ºF to render the fat and skin, and then finish them at a higher temperature of 390ºF to ensure they are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.

• Preheat your air fryer to 360ºF.
• Season the chicken wings with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also add baking powder to make the skin crispier.
• Place the chicken wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching.
• Cook the wings for 10 minutes, and then increase the temperature to 400ºF and cook for another 8-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
• If needed, flip the wings halfway through the cooking process for even cooking.
• Serve the chicken wings with your favourite dipping sauces, such as ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, or BBQ sauce.

Tips for cooking chicken wings in an air fryer:

• Pat the chicken wings dry before seasoning them to remove excess moisture and ensure crispiness.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the wings in batches if necessary.
• Increase the temperature during the last few minutes of cooking for crispier wings.
• For even cooking, shake the air fryer basket every few minutes to ensure the wings cook evenly.

How to store leftover chicken wings

It is important to store leftover chicken wings properly to prevent foodborne illness. Cooked chicken wings should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. They should be stored in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking, where they will keep for up to four days. To keep them longer, cooked chicken wings can be frozen, which will keep them safe to eat for up to six months. When freezing, use a vacuum sealer to prevent freezer burn.

To reheat chicken wings, you can use an air fryer, oven, frying pan, or microwave. For best results, bring the wings to room temperature before reheating.

What sauces to serve with chicken wings

Chicken wings are a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of sauces to enhance their flavour. Here are some sauce options to serve with chicken wings:

• Buffalo Sauce: A classic choice, with varying levels of heat and tanginess.
• Buttermilk Ranch Dressing: A creamy dip that balances the spice of wings.
• Blue Cheese Sauce: A tangy and pungent dip that pairs well with hot wings.
• Honey Mustard: Sweet and slightly tangy, a delightful contrast to spicy wings.
• Barbecue Sauce: Sweet, smoky, or spicy—adding depth to the wings.
• Teriyaki Sauce: A sweet and savoury option that complements wings beautifully. Sprinkle with green onions for added flavour!
• Sriracha Mayo: Spicy and creamy, offering a kick of heat to the wings.
• Garlic Parmesan Sauce: Creamy, cheesy, and garlicky—a luxurious option.
• Sweet Chilli Sauce: Sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy—a unique twist for dipping wings.
• Soy-Ginger Glaze: A blend of soy sauce, ginger, and other seasonings that work wonders with wings.
• Lemon-Pepper Butter: A simple sauce that combines butter and lemon-pepper seasoning for a creamy and bright chicken wing.
• Ginger-Orange Wing Sauce: Marinate wings in ginger, soy sauce, and orange marmalade. Add cayenne pepper for a kick!
• Spicy Butterscotch Wing Sauce: Infuse heat from Sriracha and crushed red pepper flakes, then coat in a chilli pepper and bread crumb topping.
• Homemade Spicy Hot Sauce: This sauce calls for habanero, serrano, and arbol chiles—living up to its name.
• Sweet and Tangy Glaze: Fall-off-the-bone wings packed with heat from red pepper flakes and chilli powder, tempered by sweet flavours like ketchup and brown sugar.
• Honey-Barbecue Wing Sauce: Wings dredged in flour, salt, paprika, and pepper, then fried and tossed in a finger-lickin' sauce.
• Mustard Barbecue Wing Sauce: A unique blend of mustard, red wine vinegar, tomato paste, molasses, and cayenne pepper.
• Citrus Barbecue Wing Sauce: A vibrant sauce with orange, lemon, and lime juice, red pepper flakes, and ketchup.
• East Carolina Barbecue Sauce: A tangy sauce with hot pepper sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, and cider vinegar—perfect for those who find some barbecue sauces too sweet.

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