Air Frying Chicken Wings: The Perfect Timing At 350

Chicken wings are a classic appetizer and a game-day favourite. They are best served with sauces like blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, and more. They also go well with sides like coleslaw, french fries, onion rings, chips, and fried mozzarella sticks.

Chicken wings can be cooked in an air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes, flipping them a couple of times in between. The exact time depends on the air fryer and the size of the wings.

Ingredients:

- 2 pounds of chicken wings, cut into drumettes and flats

- 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce or your favourite wing sauce

Method:

- Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

- Place the chicken wings in the air fryer basket and insert it into the air fryer.

- Cook the wings for 24 minutes, shaking the basket every 10 minutes to ensure even cooking.

- Increase the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for another 5 minutes or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.

- Transfer the wings to a bowl and toss them with your favourite sauce.

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, make sure to defrost them by leaving them in the refrigerator overnight.

Step 2: Separate the Wings

If you have purchased whole wings, separate them into drums and flats.

Step 3: Pat the Chicken Wings Dry

Use paper towels to pat the chicken wings until they are completely dry. This step is important to ensure the wings get crispy when cooked.

Step 4: Season the Chicken Wings

Place the chicken wings in a bowl and add your desired seasonings. You can use a basic blend of oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, or get creative with your favorite spices. 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 Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer

Place the seasoned chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other. This allows for proper air circulation during cooking.

Step 7: Cook the Chicken Wings

Cook the chicken wings at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Then, carefully flip them over and cook for an additional 8 minutes. The total cooking time may vary depending on the size of your wings, so adjust as needed.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!

Remove the chicken wings from the air fryer and serve them with your favorite dips or side dishes. Enjoy your delicious, crispy air fryer chicken wings!

How to make a dry rub for chicken wings

A dry rub is a blend of dry spices and herbs that is applied and rubbed onto the surface of the food to add flavor before cooking. This helps amplify the flavors of the spices and herbs. You can allow the wings to rest in the rub (refrigerated for 30 minutes to overnight) if you want the flavor to really penetrate into the chicken.

Ingredients

• Smoked paprika
• Brown sugar or sweetener
• Chili powder
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive oil

Method

Pat the chicken dry and place it in a large bowl or plastic bag. Add the smoked paprika, brown sugar or sweetener, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste to the chicken. Ensure the chicken is fully coated.

Spritz the chicken with cooking oil and place on an air frying basket. Air fry at 400˚F for 8 minutes per side, or a total of 16 minutes, or until chicken wings are crisp and golden brown on the outside.

How to cook chicken wings in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Chicken wings
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Pepper
• Baking powder (optional)

Method

• First, prep the chicken wings. If you have full wings, separate them into drums and flats. Make sure they are defrosted.
• Pat the wings dry with paper towels. This is important so they get crispy.
• Place the wings into a bowl and add oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat the wings.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees for a few minutes.
• Add the wings in a single layer to the air fryer (they should not be touching) and cook for 10 minutes at 400 F degrees.
• After the timer goes off, open and carefully flip over the chicken wings.
• Close the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees F for 8-12 minutes.
• Remove the chicken wings and serve with your favourite dips and sides.

Tips

• You can use a dry rub if you like.
• You can cook frozen wings in an air fryer. If you are using frozen wings, air fry them 5 minutes longer at 380°F (29 minutes total), before increasing the temperature for the last 6 minutes to crisp them up. No need to thaw them before cooking!
• Depending on the size of your air fryer and how many wings you’re making, you may want to work in batches. Make sure you leave enough room in the air fryer basket to arrange the wings evenly, leaving a bit of space all around each piece, and flip them over halfway through cooking.
• If your air fryer doesn’t go up to 400 degrees F, keep cooking them at the highest temperature for the last 6 minutes to crisp up.

How to make a sauce for chicken wings

Chicken wings are a great snack, and you can make them even better with a delicious sauce. Here is a guide on how to make a sauce for chicken wings:

Ingredients:

• Hot Sauce: Use a cayenne pepper hot sauce with natural ingredients like cayenne pepper, vinegar, and salt. Some popular options include Crystal Hot Sauce, Frank's Hot Sauce, Tabasco, or a locally made hot sauce.
• Butter: This adds a velvety smooth richness to the sauce and helps it cling to the wings.
• Vinegar: White vinegar or lemon juice adds a tangy punch to the sauce.
• Seasonings: Garlic powder or fresh grated garlic adds depth of flavor. You can also include cayenne pepper for heat, Worcestershire sauce for extra oomph, and honey or maple syrup for a touch of sweetness.

Instructions:

• Melt the butter in a pan over low heat. Keep the heat low to prevent the butter from browning and maintain a creamy texture.
• Remove the pan from the heat.
• Whisk in the hot sauce and garlic powder until you have a smooth, cohesive sauce.
• (Optional) Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for more spice.
• Use the sauce immediately, or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. The sauce will harden in the fridge, so gently reheat it over low heat and whisk or shake if it separates.

How to store and reheat chicken wings

Chicken wings are best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. They can also be frozen for up to four months.

Reheating Chicken Wings in the Oven

Take the wings out of the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the wings on a baking sheet, leaving some space between them. Spritz them with cooking spray or water. Bake for five to six minutes on each side, until they are warmed through and crispy.

Reheating Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer

Take the wings out of the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F to 400°F. Spritz the wings with cooking spray and place them in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them. Reheat for up to 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are crispy and warmed through.

Reheating Chicken Wings in the Microwave

Take the wings out of the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Place the wings on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for one minute, then flip the wings and cook for another minute.

Reheating Chicken Wings on the Stove

Take the wings out of the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Heat a skillet on medium-high heat and add a small amount of oil. Place the wings in the skillet and cook for two to four minutes on each side, until warmed through.

Frequently asked questions