Air Fryer Chicken Wings: Thaw Time And Cooking Tips

Chicken wings cooked in an air fryer are a healthier alternative to deep-fried wings. They are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. The cooking time depends on the size of the wings and the air fryer being used. However, on average, it takes around 20 minutes to cook thawed chicken wings in an air fryer.

How to make air fryer chicken wings from frozen chicken wings

Ingredients:

• Frozen chicken wings
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Pepper

Method:

• First, you need to separate the frozen chicken wings into drums and flats.
• Make sure the wings are completely defrosted.
• Pat the wings dry with a paper towel. This step is important to ensure the wings become crispy.
• Place the wings into a bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
• Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Toss the wings to ensure they are completely coated with oil and seasoning.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Place the wings into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure the wings are not touching, as this will ensure they cook evenly and become crispy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in batches.
• Cook the wings for 10 minutes at 400°F.
• After 10 minutes, open the air fryer and carefully flip the wings over.
• Cook the wings for a further 8 minutes at 400°F.
• Remove the wings from the air fryer and serve.

Tips:

• If your frozen wings are stuck together, place them in the microwave for around 30 seconds to help them separate.
• You can serve the wings as they are, or toss them in your favourite sauce. Options include buffalo sauce, honey BBQ sauce, blue cheese dressing, or ranch dressing.
• If you are tossing the wings in sauce, it is best to do this after cooking, as adding sauce before cooking may cause it to burn.
• If you are cooking a large batch of wings, you can keep them warm in the oven at 200°F while you finish cooking the rest.

How to make air fryer wings from fresh chicken wings

Ingredients:

• Fresh chicken wings
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Lemon pepper seasoning (optional)
• Baking powder (optional)
• Your choice of sauce (optional)

Method:

• Prepare the chicken wings: If your chicken wings are still whole, separate them into drumsticks and wingettes. Pat the wings dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
• Season the chicken wings: Place the wings in a large bowl and add olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix until the wings are evenly coated. You can also add baking powder to make the skin extra crispy.
• Air fry the wings: Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F. Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip the wings and air fry for another 8-12 minutes at the same temperature, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
• Increase the temperature (optional): For extra crispy skin, increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for an additional 2-6 minutes.
• Toss in your favorite sauce (optional): If you want saucy wings, toss the cooked wings in your choice of sauce, such as buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or blue cheese dressing.
• Serve and enjoy: These air fryer wings are best enjoyed fresh, but any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Tips for making crispy air fryer wings:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Make sure the wings are in a single layer with a little space between them to allow for air circulation.
• Toss or flip the wings every few minutes during cooking to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Increase the temperature to 400°F for the last few minutes of cooking to get extra crispy skin.
• If you're using sauce, dunk the cooked wings in the sauce instead of tossing them in a bowl. This will help maintain the crispiness of the skin.
• Make sure your air fryer is clean before cooking to prevent smoking.
• If your air fryer doesn't have a non-stick surface, prepare the basket by spraying it with a non-stick cooking spray or lining it with parchment paper.

How to make air fryer wings with a dry rub

Ingredients:

• Chicken wings
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Lemon pepper seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Poultry seasoning
• Mustard powder
• Black pepper

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 360°F.
• Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels and place them in a mixing bowl.
• Drizzle the wings with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and lemon pepper seasoning. Toss to coat evenly.
• Place the wings in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping. You may need to cook them in batches.
• Air fry the wings for 18 minutes, shaking the basket every 6 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
• Increase the temperature to 390°F and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket every 2 minutes, until the wings are crispy and golden brown.
• Serve with your favorite dipping sauces such as ranch, blue cheese, BBQ sauce, or hot honey.

Tips for Crispy Wings:

• Don't overlap the wings in the air fryer. Leave some space between each wing to allow for proper air circulation, which is crucial for achieving crispiness.
• Be flexible with the cooking time. Adjust the cooking time depending on the size of your wings. Larger wings may require a longer cooking time at 360°F, while smaller wings may need less time.
• For the crispiest skin, dunk the wings in sauce instead of tossing them in a bowl.

How to make air fryer wings with sauce

Ingredients:

• Non-stick cooking spray
• Chicken wings (split into flats and drumettes)
• Olive oil
• Smoked paprika
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• Chopped parsley
• Ranch dressing
• Your choice of sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Method:

• Preheat the air fryer to 380°F and spray the basket with cooking spray.
• Pat the chicken wings dry and transfer them to a large bowl.
• Toss the wings with olive oil, paprika, and garlic powder, then season with salt and pepper.
• Place the wings in the air fryer so they are not touching.
• Cook for 10 minutes, then increase the temperature to 400°F and cook until crisp and golden (about 6-8 minutes).
• Garnish with parsley and serve with ranch dressing on the side.
• Toss the wings in your choice of sauce and enjoy!

Tips:

• Pat the chicken wings dry before marinating to remove excess moisture and help them get crispy.
• Line up the wings upright along the sides of the air fryer to fit more in at once without affecting the cooking.
• Increase the temperature during the last few minutes of cooking for crispier wings.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.

How to reheat chicken wings

There are a few ways to reheat chicken wings, but the best way is to use an air fryer.

Reheating Wings in an Air Fryer

Place the wings in the air fryer basket and cook at 360°F for 4 minutes. You can also reheat them in the microwave until they are heated through.

Storing Wings

Keep leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.

Freezing Wings

You can also freeze cooked wings. Let them cool to room temperature and freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe container. Thaw the wings in the fridge overnight before reheating in the air fryer or oven.

Frequently asked questions