Air Fryer Chicken Wings: Cooking Time Perfection

Chicken wings are a popular choice for air fryer cooking, with many recipes available online. The cooking time varies depending on the number of wings and the desired crispiness, but generally, it takes around 20-30 minutes to cook chicken wings in an air fryer.

Cooking time for two pounds of chicken wings

Cooking two pounds of chicken wings in an air fryer takes around 23-24 minutes. It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of your air fryer and the number of wings you're cooking.

To start, set your air fryer to 360ºF and cook the wings for 12 minutes. Then, flip the wings and cook for another 12 minutes. After that, flip the wings again, increase the heat to 390ºF, and cook for an additional 5 to 6 minutes, or until the wings are golden brown and crispy.

It's a good idea to shake the basket every few minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent the wings from sticking. You can also spray the basket with a nonstick cooking spray before adding the wings.

If you're cooking a large batch of wings, you may need to cook them in multiple batches to ensure even cooking. Alternatively, you can use the oven method, which involves placing the raw wings on a dish towel, covering them with another towel, and letting them sit for about 20 minutes to dry before cooking.

How to get crispy wings

To get crispy wings, you can cook them in an air fryer. First, place the wings in the basket of a 3.5-quart air fryer so they are not touching. If necessary, line up the drumettes standing upright along the sides. Set the air fryer to 360ºF and cook for 12 minutes, then flip the wings with tongs and cook for 12 minutes more. Flip the wings again, increase the heat to 390ºF and cook until the outsides are extra crispy, about 6 minutes more.

Alternatively, you can spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray and arrange the wings in a single layer so they're not overlapping. Air fry the wings for 18 minutes, shaking the basket every 6 minutes, or until the chicken wings are golden brown. Increase the heat to 390ºF then cook for another 5 to 6 minutes, shaking the basket every 2 minutes, until the wings are brown and crispy.

Another method is to start cooking the wings at 360ºF to render the fat and skin, then finish the wings at 390ºF to ensure they're tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. Two pounds of chicken wings take 23-24 minutes to cook in a large air fryer.

You can also try drying the wings before cooking them. Place the raw wings in a dish towel and cover them with another towel. Let them sit on the counter for about 20 minutes to get them dry, then cook them for 30 minutes, flip them, and cook for another 25 minutes.

How to ensure wings are cooked evenly

To ensure your chicken wings cook evenly in an air fryer, arrange them in a single layer in the basket, making sure they are not overlapping. You can spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray first. Set the air fryer to 360ºF and cook for 12 minutes, then flip the wings and cook for another 12 minutes. Shake the basket every 6 minutes to ensure even cooking. After this, flip the wings again, increase the heat to 390ºF and cook for a final 5 to 6 minutes, shaking the basket every 2 minutes, until the wings are brown and crispy.

If you are cooking a large batch of wings, you may need to cook them in multiple batches to ensure even cooking. You can also dry the wings with a towel before cooking to help them crisp up.

How to prepare wings before cooking

To prepare chicken wings before cooking them in an air fryer, it is important to pat them dry with paper towels or a dish towel. This will remove any excess moisture and help them get crispy. After drying, season the wings generously with salt to enhance their flavour. You can also add other seasonings, such as cayenne pepper, to suit your taste.

Once the wings are seasoned, spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the wings in a single layer, ensuring they are not overlapping. It is okay for the wings to touch, but leave some space between them to allow air to circulate and crisp up the skin. If you have a large quantity of wings, you may need to cook them in multiple batches.

For extra crispy wings, you can also spray the top of the wings with cooking spray before air frying. Preheat the air fryer to around 360-400ºF, depending on your desired level of crispiness. The cooking time will depend on the size of the wings and your air fryer, but on average, it takes about 18-20 minutes for the wings to cook through and get crispy.

Remember to shake the basket every few minutes to ensure even cooking, and flip the wings halfway through if desired. Increase the heat to 390ºF for the last 5-6 minutes to get that perfect crispy finish. Serve with your favourite sauce and enjoy!

How to serve wings

To serve wings, you'll want to make sure they're cooked through and crispy. Here's a step-by-step guide:

First, pat the wings dry with a dish towel and let them sit for about 20 minutes. This will help ensure they're nice and crispy.

Next, preheat your air fryer to 360ºF. Place the wings in the basket, making sure they're in a single layer and not overlapping. If you need to fit more wings, you can line up the drumettes standing upright along the sides.

Now, it's time to cook! Air fry the wings for 12 minutes, then flip them with tongs and cook for another 12 minutes. After that, flip the wings again, increase the heat to 390ºF, and cook for an additional 5 to 6 minutes, or until they're golden brown and crispy.

Once they're cooked to perfection, it's time to serve! You can toss the wings with a butter and hot sauce mixture, or simply serve them with your favourite dippers. Don't forget to include some carrots and celery sticks on the side. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions