Air Fryer Frozen Wings: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Cooking frozen chicken wings in an air fryer is an easy and convenient way to prepare a tasty snack or meal. You can use both bone-in and boneless wings, and the air fryer will give them a crispy texture without the mess of deep-frying. There's no need to defrost the wings first, and you can cook them straight from frozen for a quick and delicious dish.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making frozen wings. By preheating your air fryer to 400°F, you create the optimal temperature for achieving that desirable golden, crispy finish. This step ensures that your wings start cooking at high heat right from the beginning, which is essential for getting that crunchy texture.

When preheating, it is advisable to set the temperature to 400°F and let the air fryer heat up for about 3-5 minutes. This duration may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model, so it is always good to check the manufacturer's instructions or experiment with different timings to find what works best for your appliance.

Preheating your air fryer to 400°F is a crucial step as it ensures that your wings cook evenly and helps you achieve that mouthwatering crispy exterior. It gives your wings a head start toward that perfect golden finish. So, remember to always preheat your air fryer to 400°F for the best results when making frozen wings.

Add wings to the air fryer

Adding the wings to the air fryer is a simple process, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure they cook evenly and safely. Firstly, it's important not to overcrowd the air fryer. The wings should be placed in a single layer with some space between them to allow for even cooking and crisping. If your air fryer is too small to fit all the wings in one layer, cook them in batches.

You can add the wings to the air fryer straight from frozen, but if they are stuck together, you should separate them first. You can do this by microwaving them for about 30 seconds or letting them sit out of the freezer for about 15 minutes.

Once your wings are in the air fryer, you can add your chosen seasonings and/or sauce. However, if your wings are unbreaded and unsauced, it's best to cook them first and then toss them in your chosen sauce afterward. This will prevent the sauce from burning in the air fryer.

For pre-cooked frozen wings, cook for 11-14 minutes at 400°F. For uncooked frozen wings, cook for 16-19 minutes at 400°F, flipping them halfway through. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size of your wings and your air fryer, so it's important to use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Cook for 10-20 minutes

Now that your air fryer is preheated and your wings are seasoned, it's time to cook them! Place the wings back into the air fryer basket and cook for 10-20 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the type of wings you're using and the model of your air fryer. For example, if you're using an air fryer like the Ninja Max XL 5.5 quart, it's recommended to cook the wings for 10-12 minutes. On the other hand, if you're cooking pre-cooked frozen wings, they will only need 11-14 minutes, while uncooked frozen wings will need 16-19 minutes.

Regardless of the type of wings and air fryer you're using, make sure to flip the wings halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. Also, keep in mind that the wings are done when they are golden brown and crispy, with an internal temperature of 165°F. To check this, use a meat thermometer to ensure they are fully cooked before serving.

While the wings are cooking, you can prepare your favourite sauce or glaze to toss them in after they're done. You can also serve them "naked" with just the dry rub, or with your favourite dipping sauce on the side.

Toss wings in sauce

Tossing your wings in sauce is the final step in making delicious, crispy chicken wings in an air fryer. This step is optional, but highly recommended for extra flavour.

There are many different sauces that you can use to coat your wings. Popular options include buffalo, blue cheese, BBQ sauce, Thai sweet chilli sauce, ranch or blue cheese dressing, and hot honey.

If you want to make lemon pepper wings, combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 teaspoons of oregano, 1 teaspoon of grated lemon zest, 2 finely chopped garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of salt, and several grinds of black pepper in a bowl. Toss the wings in this mixture and serve immediately.

For Hoisin Wings, combine toasted sesame seeds, ginger, garlic, hoisin, sriracha, and other spices to make a sticky glaze.

If you want to add sauce to your wings, it is recommended to do so after cooking them in the air fryer. This will ensure that the sauce does not burn and that the wings remain crispy. Simply toss the cooked wings in your desired sauce and serve immediately.

Serve with sides

There are a variety of side dishes that you can serve with your air-fried frozen chicken wings. Here are some ideas:

Dips and Sauces

You can serve your chicken wings with a variety of dips and sauces. Popular options include blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, teriyaki sauce, honey BBQ sauce, sweet chilli sauce, and garlic butter. You can also make your own honey buffalo sauce by whisking together buffalo sauce, honey, and Worcestershire sauce.

Vegetables

Chicken wings go well with fresh vegetables like celery and carrot sticks. You can also serve them with corn on the cob, diced potatoes, butternut squash, or zucchini.

Other Appetizers

If you're looking for more snack options to serve alongside your wings, try air fryer mini tacos, air fryer chicken nuggets, or onion rings.

Sides

To make your wings part of a larger meal, you can serve them with curly fries, waffle fries, mac and cheese, or a salad.

Frequently asked questions