Air Fryer Chicken Wings: Timing For Perfect Results

Chicken wings are a beloved snack, appetizer, or meal, and cooking them in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get them crispy and juicy. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the wings, but generally, they will be done in under 30 minutes.

To make chicken wings in an air fryer, start by patting the wings dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Then, season the wings with a mixture of oil, salt, pepper, and other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or lemon pepper. You can also add baking powder to the seasoning mix, as this will help create a crispy coating on the wings.

Once the wings are seasoned, place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping. Air fry the wings at 360-400°F for 10 minutes, then flip them and increase the temperature to 390-400°F for another 8-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.

If you are cooking a large batch of wings, you may need to cook them in multiple batches to ensure they get crispy. Enjoy your wings as is, or toss them in your favorite sauce like buffalo, BBQ, or sweet chili sauce. Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing and celery and carrot sticks on the side.

How to make air fryer chicken wings crispy

Making chicken wings in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get crispy chicken wings without the extra fats and calories from oil. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make the crispiest chicken wings in your air fryer.

Ingredients

• Chicken wings
• Olive oil
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Your favorite sauce for tossing or dipping

Method

• Cut the chicken wings: Separate the wings into drumettes and flats, and cut off the wing tips.
• Pat the chicken wings dry: Use paper towels to remove excess moisture from the chicken wings. This step is important to ensure crispy skin.
• Season the chicken wings: Place the chicken wings in a large bowl and add olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and baking powder. Toss until the wings are evenly coated.
• Preheat the air fryer: Set the air fryer to 360-400°F for 2-3 minutes.
• Arrange the chicken wings in the air fryer: Place the seasoned wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping. You may need to cook the wings in batches to avoid overcrowding.
• Air fry the chicken wings: Cook the wings at 360-400°F for 10-15 minutes, then flip them over. Increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for another 8-12 minutes, or until the wings are golden brown and crispy.
• Check the internal temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken wings reaches at least 165°F.
• Toss the wings in your favorite sauce: Carefully remove the wings from the air fryer and toss them in your favorite sauce, such as buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, or honey garlic sauce.
• Serve: Enjoy your crispy air fryer chicken wings with your favorite dipping sauces and sides, such as ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, carrot sticks, celery sticks, or air fryer fries.

Tips for Crispy Chicken Wings

• Use baking powder: Baking powder helps to absorb moisture and creates tiny air bubbles, resulting in crispy skin.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer: Arrange the wings in a single layer with a little space between them to allow for even cooking and crispiness.
• Toss the wings during cooking: Shake or flip the wings every few minutes to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Increase the temperature towards the end: Cooking the wings at a higher temperature for the last few minutes helps to crisp up the skin.

How to store and reheat air fryer chicken wings

Storing Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Leftover chicken wings can be stored in an airtight container or zippered plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheating Air Fryer Chicken Wings

To reheat chicken wings in an air fryer, first, preheat the air fryer to 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each wing. Reheat for 2-5 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through.

If reheating sauced wings, it is recommended to use a small air fryer pan, tin foil, or parchment paper to avoid a mess and help keep the wings moist.

How to cut chicken wings for the air fryer

Chicken wings are usually sold whole, but you can separate them into two parts: the drumette and the flat. To do this, use a sharp knife to cut between the chicken wing tip and the flat, then between the flat and drumette. Discard the tips or save them for your next batch of homemade chicken stock.

Once you've separated the wings, pat them dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This will help the skin to crisp up. Then, place the wings in a bowl and season them with salt and your choice of spices. You can use a basic blend of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, or try something different like lemon pepper, hot and spicy, or garlic and herb.

After the wings are seasoned, place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping. You may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding. Set the air fryer to between 360 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, then flip the wings and cook for another 8 to 12 minutes. For extra crispy skin, increase the heat to 390 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for an additional 5 to 8 minutes.

How long to cook frozen chicken wings in the air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook frozen chicken wings. They can be cooked from frozen, and you don't need to defrost them first. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of wings you are using and the model of your air fryer, but generally, they will take between 10 and 25 minutes to cook.

Step-by-Step Guide

Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.

Place the Wings in the Air Fryer

Place the frozen wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they are not overlapping, but it's okay if they are touching. If your air fryer is too small to fit all the wings, cook them in batches.

Cook the Wings

For pre-cooked frozen wings, cook for 11-14 minutes. For uncooked frozen wings, cook for 16-19 minutes. Flip the wings halfway through. The final cooking time will depend on the size of the wings and your air fryer, so use your judgment and check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Check the Wings are Cooked

Remove the wings from the air fryer once they are fully cooked and crispy on the outside.

(Optional) Add Sauce

You can serve the wings as they are, or toss them in your favorite wing sauce. Popular options include buffalo, blue cheese, and BBQ sauce.

Serve

Serve the wings with celery sticks, carrot sticks, and a dipping sauce like blue cheese or ranch dressing. You can also make a bigger meal by adding some curly fries or waffle fries on the side.

Tips

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer. This will ensure the wings cook evenly and get crispy.
• There are different types of frozen wings, such as pre-cooked, raw, breaded, or un-breaded, and they will vary in size. This will affect the cooking time, so keep an eye on them and adjust as needed.
• If your wings don't have a breading or sauce, cook them first and then toss them in your desired sauce afterward. This will prevent the sauce from burning in the air fryer.
• Leftover wings can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer or the microwave.

How to make air fryer chicken wings without baking powder

Air fryer chicken wings are a quick and easy way to make juicy and crispy wings without the need for baking powder. This recipe will show you how to make delicious wings with a basic seasoning blend that you probably already have in your pantry.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken wings (drums and flats)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions:

• Prep the chicken wings by separating them into drums and flats. Make sure they are defrosted.
• Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. This step is important to ensure the wings get crispy.
• Place the wings in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat evenly.
• Add the garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the bowl with the wings. Toss again to coat the wings completely with the seasoning.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for a few minutes.
• Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching.
• Cook the wings at 400°F for 10 minutes.
• Open the air fryer and carefully flip the wings over.
• Cook the wings at 400°F for an additional 8 minutes.
• Remove the wings from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite dips and sides.

Tips for Crispy Wings:

• Make sure the wings are completely dry before placing them in the air fryer.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the wings in batches if needed.
• For even crispier wings, increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
• If you want to add sauce to your wings, it is best to dunk them in the sauce after cooking rather than tossing them in a bowl.

Frequently asked questions