Air Fryer Chicken Wings: How Long To Fry?

Chicken wings are a popular snack, but they can be time-consuming to make and often require deep frying to get that perfect crispiness. However, with an air fryer, you can achieve the same delicious crispiness in a fraction of the time and with less oil!

The cooking time for chicken wings in an air fryer varies depending on the model and the weight of the wings. For example, two pounds of chicken wings take around 23-24 minutes in a large air fryer, while one pound of wings takes around 16-18 minutes. It's important to note that you should not overcrowd the air fryer basket and ensure there is enough space between the wings for air to circulate, which helps achieve that perfect crispiness.

Before cooking, it is recommended to pat the chicken wings dry and season them with your choice of spices and oil. Some popular seasonings include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also experiment with different sauces, such as buffalo sauce, Thai sweet chili sauce, BBQ sauce, or hot honey.

So, if you're looking for a quick, easy, and healthier way to enjoy crispy chicken wings, an air fryer is definitely the way to go!

Chicken wings prep

Ingredients

Gather the following ingredients to make the chicken wings:

• Chicken wings (drums and flats)
• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Pepper
• Lemon pepper seasoning (optional)
• Buffalo wing sauce, Thai sweet chilli sauce, ranch or blue cheese dressing, BBQ sauce, or hot honey (optional)

Preparation

To prepare the chicken wings, follow these steps:

• Defrost the chicken wings if they are frozen. Leave them in the refrigerator overnight to defrost.
• Separate the wings into drums and flats if they come as full wings.
• Pat the chicken wings dry. This step is important to ensure the wings get crispy.
• Place the wings in a bowl and add olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat the wings evenly. You can also add your favourite seasoning blend.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes.
• Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching each other.
• Cook the wings for 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Open the air fryer, flip the wings carefully, and cook for another 8 minutes at the same temperature.
• Remove the wings from the air fryer and serve with your favourite dips or sauces.

Tips

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. It's important to allow enough space for air to circulate and ensure even cooking.
• Be flexible with the cooking time. The size of the wings may vary, so adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• For crispier skin, dunk the wings in sauce instead of tossing them in a bowl.
• Pat the wings dry before marinating to remove excess moisture and help them get crispy.
• Increase the temperature during the last few minutes of cooking for crispier wings.

Air fryer settings

The air fryer is a brilliant way to cook chicken wings, making them super crispy on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside. Here are some top tips for getting the best results:

Temperature

Most recipes recommend cooking the wings at 400°F. Some suggest starting at a lower temperature of 360°F to render the fat and skin, and then increasing the temperature to ensure the wings are cooked through and crispy.

Timing

The cooking time will depend on the size of your wings, but most recipes suggest cooking for 10 minutes, flipping the wings, and then cooking for another 8-12 minutes. You may need to adjust the timing depending on how crispy you like your wings.

Spacing

It's important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. The wings can touch, but they need space for the air to circulate so they get nice and crispy. You may need to cook the wings in batches.

Preheating

Some recipes suggest preheating the air fryer, while others don't. Check the instructions for your particular air fryer, but in general, it's not essential to preheat.

Oil

You only need a small amount of oil to get crispy wings. Some recipes suggest tossing the wings in oil, while others recommend spraying the air fryer basket with cooking spray.

Seasoning

You can season the wings before or after cooking. If you season before, make sure you pat the wings dry first so that the seasoning sticks. Basic seasoning can be as simple as salt and pepper, or you can add spices like garlic powder, paprika, or lemon pepper.

Frozen Wings

You can cook wings from frozen in the air fryer. They will take longer to cook, and you may need to drain the liquid from the basket halfway through to get them crispy.

Air fryer cooking time

Air Fryer Chicken Wings are a healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken wings. They are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. The air fryer's circulating hot air makes the skin super crisp, which is challenging to achieve in a traditional oven.

The cooking time for chicken wings in an air fryer varies depending on the air fryer model and the desired crispiness. Here are some general guidelines for cooking chicken wings in an air fryer:

• For 2 pounds of chicken wings in a large air fryer, cook for 23-24 minutes at 360°F, then finish at 390°F for a few minutes to ensure they are tender and crispy.
• For 1 pound of chicken wings, cook for 10 minutes at 380°F, then increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for another 6-8 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
• For extra crispy wings, cook at 400°F for 10 minutes, flip, and cook for an additional 8-12 minutes, depending on the size of the wings.

Tips for cooking chicken wings in an air fryer:

• Pat the chicken wings dry before marinating to remove excess moisture and help them get crispy.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Arrange the wings in a single layer, with space between them to allow for air circulation. You may need to cook the wings in batches.
• Shake or flip the wings during cooking to ensure even cooking.
• Increase the temperature during the last few minutes of cooking for extra crispiness.
• For saucy wings, toss the cooked wings in your favourite sauce instead of marinating them beforehand.
• For frozen chicken wings, cook at 400°F for 30-35 minutes, turning every 5-7 minutes. For crispier wings, drain the excess liquid from the air fryer basket halfway through cooking.

Chicken wings in the air fryer

Chicken wings are a great snack or appetizer, and they can be made healthier by using an air fryer instead of deep frying or baking them. The air fryer's circulating hot air makes the skin super crisp, which is difficult to achieve in a conventional oven. The wings are also perfectly cooked, tender, and juicy.

Ingredients

• Chicken wings
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Lemon pepper seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Pepper

Optional Ingredients

• Hot sauce
• Melted butter
• Buffalo sauce
• Thai sweet chilli sauce
• Ranch dressing
• BBQ sauce
• Hot honey
• Celery and carrots
• Blue cheese dressing

Method

• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
• Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
• Place the chicken wings into a bowl and add olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat the wings.
• Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping.
• Air fry the wings for 10 minutes at 400°F.
• Flip the wings and air fry for another 8-12 minutes at 400°F until they are golden brown and crispy.
• Serve with your choice of sauce or enjoy as is!

Tips

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket.
• Be flexible with the cooking time, depending on the size of the wings.
• For extra crispiness, dunk the wings in sauce instead of tossing them in a bowl.
• Pat the chicken wings dry before marinating them to remove any excess moisture and help them get nice and crispy.
• Increase the temperature of the chicken wings during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. This recipe is easily doubled, but you may need to cook the wings in two batches.
• You can also bake the wings in the oven at 400˚F for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until crispy, flipping them after 30 minutes.

Chicken wings serving suggestions

Chicken wings are a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides and dips. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Classic Sides

• French fries
• Onion rings
• Potato salad
• Mac and cheese
• Coleslaw
• Corn on the cob
• Rice
• Cornbread

Healthy Alternatives

• Greek yogurt Caesar salad
• Spicy roasted cauliflower
• Blue cheese coleslaw
• Avocado fries
• Baked sweet potato fries
• Charcuterie board flatbread
• Greek-style barley salad
• Grilled corn with spicy aioli

Dips and Sauces

• Blue cheese dressing
• Jalapeno ranch
• Cilantro lime dip
• Chunky blue cheese
• Homemade buffalo sauce
• BBQ sauce
• Thai sweet chilli sauce
• Ranch dressing

Frequently asked questions