Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Wings: Cooking Time Perfection

Chicken wings are a versatile dish that can be served as a snack, appetiser, or meal. They are typically deep-fried, but air fryers have emerged as a popular alternative, offering a healthier option with less oil and fat. Air-fried chicken wings are known for their crispy texture and juicy flavour, and can be prepared with a variety of seasonings and sauces. The cooking time for breaded chicken wings in an air fryer can range from 14 to 24 minutes, depending on the size of the wings and the desired level of crispiness. In this article, we will explore the best techniques and recipes for achieving perfectly cooked breaded chicken wings using an air fryer.

Characteristics and Values Table for Breaded Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for breaded chicken wings in an air fryer will depend on the size of the wings and the amount you are cooking. It is important to ensure that the wings are cooked until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. This can be checked using a meat thermometer.

For two pounds of chicken wings, it is recommended to cook them for 23-24 minutes in total. Start by cooking them at 360ºF to render the fat and skin, and then finish the wings at 390ºF to ensure they are tender and juicy on the inside, and crispy and sizzling on the outside. It is important to note that if your two pounds of chicken contains less than 20 wings (meaning they are quite large), you might need to increase the cooking time at 360ºF. Similarly, if they are smaller, you may need less time at 360ºF.

For frozen breaded chicken wings, it is recommended to cook them at 400°F for 14 minutes. There is no need to shake and redistribute the wings during cooking. For plain raw frozen wings, it is recommended to cook them at 350°F for 12 minutes, and then toss them with sauce.

For unfrozen breaded chicken wings, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Then, cook the wings for 14-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through. It is important to leave a little room around each wing to allow for air to circulate freely in the basket. This will ensure that the wings cook evenly and get crispy.

Chicken wing preparation

Ingredients

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

• Chicken wings
• Oil (neutral or extra virgin olive oil)
• Flour
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Cayenne pepper
• Black pepper
• Meat thermometer
• Sauce of your choice (optional)

Method

First, ensure that your chicken wings are dry. Pat them with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This will help them crisp up during cooking. Next, place the chicken wings into a large bowl and drizzle oil over them. Toss the wings to ensure they are well coated.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Whisk until well combined. One at a time, place the oiled wings in the dry mixture and coat them with the breading. Then, place each wing in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. It is okay for them to touch, but ensure they are in a single layer with enough space between them for air to circulate.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the wings in the air fryer and cook for 14-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your wings, so adjust the time accordingly. To ensure they are cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F.

Once cooked, you can enjoy the wings as they are, or toss them in a sauce of your choice. Some popular options include hot sauce, buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, or ranch dressing.

Tips

For extra crispy wings, increase the temperature of the air fryer during the last few minutes of cooking. You can also cook frozen chicken wings in the air fryer, but the cooking time may vary. Additionally, frozen wings will not take any breading or dry rub.

Air fryer preparation

Breaded chicken wings can be prepared in an air fryer in less than half an hour. The air fryer method makes the wings crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, without the need for deep frying in oil.

Step 1: Dry the wings

Before marinating or seasoning the chicken wings, it is important to pat them dry with a paper towel. This will ensure that the skin puffs up and blisters during air frying, and help to make the wings crispy.

Step 2: Marinate or season the wings

Wings can be marinated in a mixture of olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add some hot sauce to the marinade. Allow the wings to rest in the marinade for at least 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can season the wings with kosher salt, white pepper, baking powder, and neutral oil. Mix well with your hands before placing the wings in the air fryer.

Step 3: Bread the wings

Place the wings in a large dish and drizzle with oil, then toss to coat. In a separate bowl, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper to make the breading. One at a time, coat the wings in the breading, then place on a dry plate or paper towel.

Step 4: Place the wings in the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the wings inside the air fryer basket, leaving a little room around each one to allow air to circulate. The wings should be in a single layer and should not be overlapping, but touching is fine.

Step 5: Cook the wings

Cook the wings for 14-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of the wings and the desired level of crispiness. For larger wings, you may need to increase the cooking time, and for smaller wings, you may need less time.

Step 6: Check the temperature

Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken wings have reached an internal temperature of 165°F. This will ensure that the wings are fully cooked and safe to eat.

Step 7: Serve

Once the wings have reached the desired temperature, remove them from the air fryer and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Tips:

• You can reheat leftover wings in the air fryer by cooking at 350-360°F for 4-6 minutes, then increasing the heat to 400°F and cooking for an additional 5 minutes.
• For extra crispy wings, increase the temperature of the air fryer during the last few minutes of cooking.
• If you are cooking a large batch of wings, you may need to cook them in two batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
• If you want to add sauce to your wings, it is best to do so after they have been cooked. Toss the wings in your desired sauce, then put them back in the air fryer for a few minutes to allow the sauce to glaze over them.

Enjoy your delicious and crispy air fryer breaded chicken wings!

Flipping and cooking duration

Flipping the wings halfway through the cooking cycle is essential to ensure that you get crispy chicken wings. Use tongs or a fork to flip the wings, as the inside of the air fryer will be hot.

The cooking duration will depend on the size of your wings. If you have less than 20 wings (meaning they're quite large), you might need to increase the cooking time at 360ºF to render the fat and cook the wings thoroughly. Similarly, if your wings are smaller, you may need less time at 360ºF.

Breaded chicken wings should be cooked for 20 minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway through. You can also cook them for 14-16 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until they are crispy. To ensure doneness, use a meat thermometer to make sure they have reached an internal temperature of 165°F.

For frozen breaded chicken wings, cook at 400°F for 14 minutes. There is no need to shake and redistribute during cooking. You can also cook them at 350°F for 12 minutes, then toss them with sauce.

If you are reheating leftover wings, cook at 360°F for 4 minutes. Then, turn the heat up to 400°F and cook for another 5 minutes.

Sauces and serving suggestions

Breaded chicken wings can be served as an appetizer with a dip or as a main course with sides such as rosemary roasted potatoes, apple zucchini salad, or cauliflower rice.

Chicken wings can be tossed in a variety of sauces, including hot sauce, buffalo sauce, or a combination of hot sauce and melted butter. For the crispiest skin, dunk the wings in the sauce instead of tossing them in a bowl. You can also coat the wings with warmed sugar-free BBQ sauce and Sriracha, or coat them with olive oil for a healthier twist.

Some other sauces and dips to consider are:

• Ranch or blue cheese dressing
• Thai sweet chili sauce
• Hot honey
• Barbecue sauce
• Lemon pepper seasoning
• White pepper
• Black pepper
• Smoked paprika
• Franks Wing Sauce
• Korean Chicken Wing Sauce
• Raising Cane's Sauce

Frequently asked questions