Air Fryer Frozen Wings: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Cooking frozen chicken wings in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get delicious, crispy wings. The cooking time will depend on the type of wings you are using and the model of your air fryer, but generally, it takes between 10 and 26 minutes to cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer.

How long to cook frozen wings for

The cooking time for frozen chicken wings in an air fryer will depend on the type of wings you are cooking. Breaded wings, sauced wings, and plain wings will all have different cooking times.

For breaded frozen chicken wings, cook at 400°F for 14 minutes. There is no need to shake and redistribute during cooking.

For sauced frozen chicken wings, cook at 400°F for 18 minutes. However, it is worth noting that this method often results in rubbery skin and burnt sauce.

For plain frozen chicken wings, cook at 400°F for 20 minutes. You do not need to flip or move them around, but you should cook them in a single layer.

If your frozen chicken wings come fully cooked, cook at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.

Air fryer temperature

The air fryer temperature you use to cook frozen chicken wings will depend on the type of wings you are cooking and the result you are looking for.

Plain Frozen Wings

For plain frozen wings, a temperature of 400°F is recommended. You can cook them for 20 minutes at this temperature for crispy skin and tender meat without needing to flip them or move them around.

Reheating Frozen Wings

For reheating frozen wings that have already been cooked, a lower temperature of 350°F is recommended. Put 12 fully cooked, frozen wings in the air fryer basket and cook for 12 minutes, then toss with sauce. If cooking more than 12 wings, increase the cook time to 14-16 minutes.

Breaded Frozen Wings

Breaded frozen wings can be cooked at 400°F for 14 minutes. There is no need to shake and redistribute them during cooking.

Sauced Frozen Wings

Sauced frozen wings are best cooked at 400°F for 18 minutes. However, be aware that sauced wings can turn out rubbery with spots of burned sauce.

Pre-cooked Frozen Wings

Pre-cooked frozen wings should be cooked at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.

General Tips

• It is important not to overcrowd the air fryer to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• The exact cook time can vary depending on the size of the wings and the type of air fryer used, so use your judgment and check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• For extra crispy wings, add a little baking powder during the cooking process.
• You can use an olive oil spray to prevent the chicken wings from sticking to the air fryer basket.

Can you air fry other frozen foods?

Yes, you can air fry other frozen foods! In fact, cooking frozen food in an air fryer is a great way to get a quick, tasty, and healthy meal on the table. The air fryer's quick preheating time, convenient size, and user-friendly design make it a go-to appliance for cooking frozen foods.

• Avoid overcrowding your air fryer basket. For breaded or wrapped foods, fill the basket about halfway and shake it halfway through cooking. For open-faced or uncoated foods, place them in a single layer.
• Preheat your air fryer. This helps to quickly evaporate the water in your frozen food, preventing it from becoming mushy.
• Adjust the temperature and cook time. As an air fryer is a type of convection oven, the recommended cook time on food packaging will be too long. Reduce the heat by 10-25 degrees and halve the cooking time, then check on your food and adjust as needed.
• Use grease sparingly. Lightly coat your air fryer basket and food with oil or fat, especially if your food doesn't already contain some fat. Avoid using sprays with propellants or additives, as these can erode the non-stick coating over time.

Now, here are some specific examples of frozen foods that you can cook in your air fryer:

• Frozen steak
• Frozen onion rings
• Frozen shrimp
• Frozen bagel bites
• Frozen green beans
• Frozen tater tots
• Frozen chicken patties
• Frozen waffle fries
• Frozen corn dogs
• Frozen crab cakes
• Frozen broccoli
• Frozen turkey burgers
• Frozen salmon
• Frozen pizza
• Frozen burritos
• Frozen egg rolls
• Frozen chicken tenders
• Frozen hamburgers
• Frozen cod
• Frozen chicken cordon bleu
• Frozen jalapeno poppers
• Frozen mozzarella sticks
• Frozen taquitos
• Frozen chicken nuggets
• Frozen meatballs
• Frozen pork chops
• Frozen gnocchi
• Frozen potstickers
• Frozen empanadas
• Frozen bacon
• Frozen chicken wings
• Frozen chicken thighs
• Frozen popcorn chicken
• Frozen pretzel
• Frozen chicken breasts
• Frozen hash browns
• Frozen dumplings
• Frozen pierogies
• Frozen mini corn dogs
• Frozen veggie burgers
• Frozen chicken pot pie
• Frozen taquitos
• Frozen pizza bagels
• Frozen fish sticks
• Frozen potato skins
• Frozen meatballs
• Frozen mozzarella sticks
• Frozen curly fries
• Frozen crinkle-cut fries
• Frozen steak fries
• Frozen chicken patties
• Frozen dino nuggets
• Frozen hot pockets
• Frozen Texas toast
• Frozen crab cakes
• Frozen chicken cordon bleu
• Frozen jalapeno poppers
• Frozen breakfast strudel
• Frozen chicken thighs
• Frozen burritos
• Frozen egg rolls
• Frozen chicken tenders
• Frozen hash brown patties
• Frozen pizza rolls
• Frozen taquitos
• Frozen chicken nuggets
• Frozen crab cakes
• Frozen burritos
• Frozen egg rolls
• Frozen chicken tenders
• Frozen hash brown patties
• Frozen pizza rolls
• Frozen hot pockets
• Frozen Uncrustables
• Frozen green beans
• Frozen Texas toast
• Frozen meatballs
• Frozen pork chops
• Frozen gnocchi
• Frozen potstickers
• Frozen empanadas
• Frozen bacon

How to make dry rub wings

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
• 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 8 chicken wings, or more as needed
• Olive oil
• BBQ sauce (optional)
• Ranch dressing
• Blue cheese

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
• In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, poultry seasoning, mustard powder, and pepper.
• Toss in the chicken wings and rub the seasonings into the chicken with your hands until fully coated.
• Arrange the wings in the air fryer basket, standing them up on their ends and leaning them against each other and the wall of the basket.
• Cook in the preheated air fryer until the wings are tender inside and golden brown and crisp on the outside, about 35 minutes. Transfer the wings to a plate and serve hot.

Tips

• You can add a little baking powder to the wings during the cooking process for extra crispy skin.
• If you want to add BBQ sauce, brush it on in the last minute of cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer when making chicken wings. This way, they will get crispy and cook evenly.
• If your wings are frozen, you don't need to thaw them first. Simply place them into the air fryer from frozen and add 3-4 minutes to the cooking time.

How to make breaded wings

Ingredients

• 1 lb of chicken wings
• 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• Salt to taste

Method

• Place the wings in a large dish and drizzle oil over them. Toss to coat.
• In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper to make the breading.
• One by one, coat the wings in the breading and then place them on a dry plate or paper towel. Repeat until all wings are coated.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
• Place the wings in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space around each wing. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Cook for 14-16 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Once the wings are crispy, use a meat thermometer to ensure they have reached an internal temperature of 165°F, then remove from the air fryer.
• Serve with your favourite dipping sauce.

Tips

• Ensure there is a little space between each wing in the air fryer so that the hot air can circulate properly, making the breading crispy on all sides.
• Spray the wings with an EVO oil sprayer halfway through cooking to crisp up the breading and get rid of any white residue from the flour.
• After 7-8 minutes, use tongs to carefully flip the wings to ensure even cooking.
• An instant-read thermometer is the best way to tell when your wings are fully cooked. Place it in the thickest part of the largest wing and ensure it reads 165°F.

Frequently asked questions