Air Fryer Chicken Wings: Frozen To Crispy In Minutes

Chicken wings are a tasty treat, and even better, they can be cooked straight from frozen in an air fryer. No need to defrost them first! You can have delicious, crispy wings in less than half an hour.

How to cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer

Defrosting and seasoning

First, place your frozen chicken wings in the air fryer basket and cook them at 400°F for 9-10 minutes to defrost. If your wings are stuck together, you can microwave them for 30 seconds before this step to help separate them. Once defrosted, place the wings in a bowl and drain any liquid from the air fryer basket.

Now it's time to season your wings. Add olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper, and toss until the wings are coated. You can also add other spices like onion powder, chilli powder, or lemon pepper to suit your taste.

Cooking the wings

Place the seasoned wings back into the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Flip the wings halfway through for even cooking. The cooking time will depend on the size of the wings and your air fryer model, so keep an eye on them.

Serving suggestions

You can serve the wings as they are, or toss them in your favourite sauce. Some popular options include barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, honey buffalo sauce, or garlic butter. For a simple honey buffalo sauce, mix together buffalo sauce, honey, and Worcestershire sauce. Serve the wings with carrot and celery sticks, and some blue cheese or ranch dressing on the side for dipping.

Tips for perfect wings

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the wings in a single layer to ensure even cooking and crisping.
• Drain any liquid from the basket after defrosting the wings. This will help the wings crisp up.
• Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the wings has reached 165°F.
• If your wings are frozen in a block, you may need to add a few minutes to the cooking time.

Reheating and storing

Leftover wings can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer at 375°F for 2-3 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

How long to cook frozen wings in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook frozen chicken wings, giving them a crispy skin without the mess of deep-frying. You can cook frozen wings directly in the air fryer without defrosting them first, and they will still turn out crispy and delicious. The exact cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the wings, as well as the specific model of the air fryer, but generally, it takes about 20-25 minutes to cook frozen wings in an air fryer.

Step-by-step guide to cooking frozen wings in an air fryer:

Defrost the wings:

Place the frozen wings in the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 400°F / 200°C. Cook for 10 minutes to defrost.

Drain the liquid:

Remove the wings from the air fryer and place them in a bowl. Drain any liquid that has accumulated in the bottom of the air fryer basket.

Season the wings:

Add oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the wings. Toss until the wings are coated with the spices.

Air fry the wings:

Place the wings back in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F / 200°C for 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F / 74°C. Flip the wings halfway through cooking.

Serve the wings:

You can serve the wings as is, or toss them with your favorite sauce. Some popular sauce options include honey buffalo sauce, barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, or garlic butter sauce.

Tips for cooking frozen wings in an air fryer:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the wings in a single layer to ensure proper airflow and even cooking.
• Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the wings has reached 165°F / 74°C before serving.
• If your wings are frozen together, you may need to microwave them for about 30 seconds before step 1 to thaw them just enough to separate them.
• If you are using pre-cooked frozen wings, cook them at 400°F / 200°C for 12-15 minutes or until heated through.
• If you are using breaded or sauced frozen wings, follow the same instructions, but increase the cooking time as needed to ensure they are heated through.

How to make frozen wings in the air fryer

Step 1: Prepare the Wings

If your frozen wings are stuck together, you can microwave them for 30 seconds to separate them. Place the wings in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with some space between them for even cooking. If your air fryer is too small, cook the wings in batches.

Step 2: Defrost the Wings

Set your air fryer to 400°F and cook the wings for 9-10 minutes to defrost them. Remove the wings from the air fryer and place them in a bowl. Drain any liquid that has accumulated in the air fryer basket.

Step 3: Season the Wings

Add olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to the wings. Toss the wings until they are evenly coated with the spices. You can also add other seasonings like lemon pepper, chili powder, or cayenne pepper.

Step 4: Cook the Wings

Place the seasoned wings back into the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the wings and your air fryer model. Ensure the internal temperature of the wings reaches 165°F.

Step 5: Sauce the Wings (Optional)

You can serve the wings as is or toss them with your favorite sauce. Some popular options include barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, honey buffalo sauce, or garlic butter sauce.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Serve your crispy, juicy wings with celery and carrot sticks on the side. You can also pair them with air fryer appetizers like french fries or onion rings. Enjoy!

How to make sure frozen wings are crispy in the air fryer

Making frozen wings in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get crispy chicken wings without the need for deep-frying. Here are some tips to ensure your frozen wings turn out crispy:

Preparation:

• If your frozen wings are stuck together, you can microwave them for about 30 seconds to thaw them just enough to separate them.
• Pat the wings dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step is important to ensure the wings get crispy.
• If desired, you can season the wings before cooking. However, keep in mind that it may be harder for the spices to stick to frozen wings. You can air fry them for a few minutes to thaw slightly, then add oil and spices.
• Some recipes suggest adding a small amount of baking powder to the wings before cooking to help make the skin crispier.

Cooking:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. You may need to cook the wings in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can prevent them from getting crispy.
• Cook the wings for 11-14 minutes for pre-cooked frozen wings, and 16-19 minutes for uncooked frozen wings.
• Flip the wings halfway through the cooking time.
• Check the internal temperature of the wings to ensure they are fully cooked. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
• If desired, you can toss the cooked wings in your favorite sauce.
• If you are cooking breaded frozen wings, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly. Follow the package instructions, if available.

How to serve frozen chicken wings

Defrosting and Seasoning

Firstly, place your desired amount of frozen chicken wings into the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 9-10 minutes to defrost. If your wings are stuck together, you can microwave them for 30 seconds before placing them in the air fryer. Once defrosted, transfer the wings to a bowl and drain any liquid from the basket.

Next, it's time to season your wings. Add a light coating of oil to the wings, followed by your choice of seasonings. You can use a dry rub, or a combination of dried spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss the wings to ensure they are evenly coated, then place them back into the air fryer basket.

Cooking the Wings

Return the seasoned wings to the air fryer and cook at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Flip the wings halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the wings, as well as the specific model of your air fryer, so be sure to keep an eye on them.

Saucing the Wings

Once your wings are cooked, it's time to add your sauce of choice. You can use a simple honey buffalo sauce, or get creative with other options such as barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, garlic butter, or your favorite wing sauce. Toss the wings in your chosen sauce, ensuring they are evenly coated.

Serving Suggestions and Sides

Chicken wings can be served on their own, or with a side of celery and carrot sticks, and your favorite dipping sauce. Some popular dipping sauce options include blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, or honey sriracha sauce.

If you want to make a heartier meal, serve your wings with a side of fries, corn on the cob, diced potatoes, butternut squash, zucchini, mac and cheese, or a salad.

Reheating and Storage

Leftover chicken wings can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. To reheat, simply place them back into the air fryer at 375°F for 2-3 minutes, or until they are heated through and crispy.

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Wings

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the wings in a single layer to allow for proper airflow and even cooking.
• Drain any liquid from the basket after defrosting the wings. This will help ensure crispy results.
• Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the wings has reached 165°F before serving.
• Experiment with different sauces and seasonings to find your favorite combinations.
• If using pre-cooked frozen wings, follow the same cooking instructions, but reduce the cooking time to 12-15 minutes, or until heated through.

Enjoy your delicious, crispy air fryer chicken wings!

Frequently asked questions