Air-Frying Chicken Wings: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Chicken wings are a great option for a quick and easy meal, and cooking them in an air fryer is a simple way to get crispy, juicy results. This method is also less messy than deep-frying and healthier than shallow-frying. You can season the wings with olive oil, salt, and pepper, or try a buttery buffalo sauce for extra flavour. The cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer, but generally, you'll want to cook the wings for around 15-20 minutes at a temperature of 400 F.

Preheat the air fryer to 400 F for 5 minutes

During the preheating process, the air fryer's heating element reaches the desired temperature of 400 F. This temperature is ideal for cooking chicken wings as it strikes a balance between cooking the wings thoroughly and achieving a crispy texture. Preheating also helps to reduce the overall cooking time, as the wings will start cooking at the desired temperature right from the start.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the chicken wings. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which can affect the crispiness of the final product. You can also season the wings at this stage by adding olive oil, salt, and black pepper, and mixing them together in a bowl. This ensures that the wings are evenly coated with flavour before they go into the air fryer.

Once the air fryer has preheated for 5 minutes, it's time to place the chicken wings inside. Arrange them in a single layer, leaving room on all sides to ensure proper airflow and even cooking. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to prevent uneven cooking and to allow the hot air to circulate effectively.

By preheating the air fryer to 400 F for 5 minutes, you set the stage for perfectly cooked and crispy chicken wings. This step is essential in achieving the desired temperature and cooking environment, ensuring that your chicken wings turn out juicy and delicious every time.

Pat the chicken wings dry to remove excess moisture

To cook whole chicken wings in an air fryer, it's important to pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture and ensure crispy wings. This step is crucial because any excess moisture on the chicken wings can prevent them from crisping up properly in the air fryer. By patting them dry, you're creating the ideal conditions for that signature crispy texture.

When patting the chicken wings dry, use a gentle but firm pressure to absorb any visible moisture on the surface of the wings. It's important to be thorough and cover all areas of the wings, including the crevices and joints, as any overlooked moisture can affect the final result.

Using paper towels is a convenient and effective way to absorb moisture. You can also use clean kitchen towels or even a light dusting of flour to help absorb any remaining moisture after patting with paper towels. Just be sure to shake off any excess flour before placing the wings in the air fryer.

Removing excess moisture is a critical step in achieving the perfect air-fried chicken wings. It ensures that the wings will develop a crispy exterior while remaining juicy and tender on the inside. This simple technique sets the foundation for a delicious and satisfying cooking experience.

Season the chicken wings with olive oil, salt and pepper

To season the chicken wings with olive oil, salt and pepper, place the wings in a medium-sized bowl and add the olive oil, salt and black pepper. Mix to combine. You can also add the seasoning to a large bowl and coat the wings in the mixture.

Make sure to pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels before seasoning to remove excess moisture and ensure the wings are crispy.

Once the wings are seasoned, place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving room on all sides. The wings should not overlap, but touching is fine.

Arrange the chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket

To cook whole chicken wings in an air fryer, arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overlapping, but touching is fine. Leave room on all sides and cook in batches if they don't fit. Pat the wings dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture and get crispy wings. You can also spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray before adding the wings.

Air fry the chicken wings for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through

Air frying the chicken wings is a quick and easy way to cook them. The cooking time will vary depending on the temperature of your air fryer, but generally, it will take around 15-20 minutes in total.

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 400 F for 5 minutes. Then, pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture and ensure they become crispy. Next, add the wings to a medium-sized bowl with olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Mix to combine. Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving room on all sides.

Now you're ready to air fry the chicken wings for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Set a timer for 7-10 minutes and then flip the wings over. Increase the temperature to 430 F or the highest your air fryer goes. Air fry for another 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken wings are cooked completely and crispy.

If you're using an air fryer with a basket, remember to shake the basket every 2 minutes during the final cooking stage to ensure the wings cook evenly and don't stick.

Frequently asked questions