Air-Fried Chicken Wings: Cooking Time And Techniques

Chicken wings are a beloved snack and appetizer, but frying them can be a hassle. Luckily, air fryers provide a healthier way to prepare wings without deep frying or a long oven cook time. Air fryers use rapidly circulating hot air to crisp the food, and this result is best achieved with fresh wings.

The cooking time for chicken wings varies depending on the air fryer model and the size of the wings. For example, two pounds of chicken wings take 23-24 minutes to cook in a large air fryer. It is recommended to cook wings at 390°F for 20-24 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Before cooking, it is important to pat the wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, which will help them crisp up. Additionally, wings should not be overcrowded in the air fryer to ensure even cooking and crispiness.

Air fryer chicken wings can be served with various sauces, such as buffalo wing sauce, Thai sweet chili sauce, ranch or blue cheese dressing, and BBQ sauce. They make a perfect game-time snack or weeknight meal.

Air Fryer Chicken Wings Ingredients

Air fryer chicken wings are a healthier alternative to deep-fried wings, and they're super easy to make! Here's what you'll need:

Ingredients:

• Chicken wings: Look for wings that are already separated into drummettes and wingettes, or you can buy whole wings and cut them yourself.
• Oil: You can use extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil.
• Seasonings: This is where you can get creative! The most common seasonings include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. But feel free to experiment with lemon pepper, white pepper, or even a dash of cayenne for some spice.
• Dipping sauces (optional): Buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or blue cheese dressing are all great options.

With just a few simple ingredients and your air fryer, you'll be on your way to delicious, crispy chicken wings!

Instructions:

Now that you have your ingredients, here's what you do:

• Prep the chicken wings: Start by patting the wings dry with paper towels. This step is important to ensure crispy skin. If your wings are still whole, separate them into drummettes and wingettes.
• Season the wings: Place the wings in a large bowl and drizzle with oil. Add your desired seasonings and toss until the wings are evenly coated.
• Air fry: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip the wings and air fry for another 8-12 minutes, or until they're golden brown and crispy.
• Serve: Enjoy your wings as is, or toss them in your favorite sauce. Don't forget the carrots and celery sticks on the side!

Tips for Crispy Wings:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the wings in batches if needed.
• Be flexible with the cooking time. Depending on the size of your wings, you may need to adjust the cooking time.
• For extra crispy skin, dunk your wings in sauce instead of tossing them in a bowl.

Air Fryer Chicken Wings Cooking Time

Air Fryer Chicken Wings are a healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken wings, and they are also quicker to cook than baking them in the oven. The air fryer's circulating hot air makes the skin super crispy, and the centre is perfectly cooked, tender, and juicy.

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 cook them at 360ºF first to render the fat and skin, and then finish them at 390ºF to ensure they are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.

Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe:

Ingredients:

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

Instructions:

• First, prep the chicken wings. If the wings are full, separate them into drums and flats.
• Make sure they are defrosted and pat them dry completely – this is important for them to get crispy.
• Place the wings into a bowl and add oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to cover 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.
• 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 minutes.
• Remove the chicken wings and serve with your favourite dips or side dishes.

Tips for Making Air Fryer Chicken Wings:

• It is important to pat the chicken wings dry before adding the seasoning to ensure they get crispy.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. It is better to cook the wings in two batches if necessary.
• You can use your favourite seasoning blend or experiment with different spices.

Air Fryer Chicken Wings Seasoning

Air fryer chicken wings are a quick and easy way to make crispy, juicy chicken wings with less fat than deep frying. The air fryer's circulating hot air makes the skin super crisp, and the centre perfectly cooked and tender.

Ingredients

You can use a variety of seasonings and spices to flavour your chicken wings. Here are some popular options:

• Oil (neutral, avocado, canola, or vegetable)
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Pepper
• Lemon pepper
• White pepper
• Baking powder
• Dark brown sugar
• Sweet paprika
• Poultry seasoning
• Mustard powder

Method

First, pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. This will help them get crispy. Then, place the wings into a bowl and add your chosen oil, seasonings, and spices. Toss to coat the wings evenly.

Next, preheat your air fryer to between 350-400 degrees F for a few minutes. Place the wings into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip the wings and cook for a further 8-12 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your chicken wings with your favourite dips and sides, such as:

• Cilantro lime dip
• Blue cheese dip
• Buffalo sauce
• Corn on the cob
• French fries
• Mac and cheese
• Wedge salad
• Sweet potato fries
• Carrots and celery with blue cheese dressing or jalapeno ranch

Air Fryer Chicken Wings Temperature

The ideal temperature for cooking chicken wings in an air fryer is 390°F. However, some recipes suggest cooking the wings in two stages, starting at a lower temperature of 360°F and then increasing to 390°F or 400°F. This two-stage process helps to render the fat and cook the wings through without burning the outside.

Air Fryer Chicken Wings Cooking Time and Temperature

The cooking time for air fryer chicken wings will depend on the number of wings you are cooking, the size of your air fryer, and the temperature you are cooking at. As a guide, a batch of wings weighing around 1-2 pounds will take 18-24 minutes to cook at 390°F.

• Preheat your air fryer to 360°F.
• Prepare the chicken wings by patting them dry and tossing them in oil and seasonings.
• Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping.
• 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 another 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket every 2 minutes, until the wings are brown and crispy.
• Serve the wings with your choice of dipping sauces, such as ranch, blue cheese, buffalo sauce, or sweet chili sauce.

Tips for Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Make sure the wings are in a single layer with a little space around each wing to allow the hot air to circulate. You may need to cook the wings in batches.
• Be flexible with the cooking time. If your wings are larger, you may need to increase the cooking time at 360°F. If they are smaller, you may need less time.
• Don't toss the wings in sauce before serving. For the crispiest skin, dunk the wings in the sauce instead of tossing them in a bowl.

Air Fryer Chicken Wings Tips

Dry the Chicken Wings

Use paper towels to pat the chicken wings dry. This will ensure that the wings are not too moist, which can prevent them from becoming crispy.

Use Fresh Chicken Wings

For the crispest results, it is best to use fresh chicken wings instead of frozen ones. If you only have frozen wings, be sure to thaw them first.

Seasoning

You can use a variety of seasonings on your chicken wings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also try lemon pepper, rosemary, oregano, or ground mustard.

Oil

Add a small amount of oil to your chicken wings. This will help them get crispy. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil.

Air Fryer Settings

Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. Cook the wings for 10 minutes, then flip them over and cook for an additional 8-12 minutes, depending on their size. You may need to cook the wings in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.

Sauces

You can enjoy your chicken wings as is, or toss them in your favorite sauce. Some popular options include buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or blue cheese dressing.

Storage and Reheating

Store any leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. You can reheat them in the air fryer at 360-380°F for 4-8 minutes.

Frequently asked questions