Air Fryer Wings: Della's Quick Frozen Wing Recipe

Cooking frozen chicken wings in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious snack or appetizer. The beauty of this method is its simplicity: there's no need to defrost the wings, and you can go from freezer to feast in about half an hour. You can also experiment with different spices and sauces to make every batch a new adventure.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. By turning your air fryer to 400°F and letting it heat up for about 3-5 minutes, you ensure that your wings cook evenly and develop that delicious crispy exterior.

While the air fryer is heating up, you can take the opportunity to season your frozen wings. Toss them with your chosen seasonings – a simple mixture of garlic powder, paprika, salt and black pepper will do the trick. You don't need to add oil, but a little can help the seasonings stick if you prefer.

Once your air fryer has preheated, it's time to add the wings. Be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer – the wings should fit 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, simply cook them in two batches.

Now, you're ready to start cooking! For pre-cooked frozen wings, cook for 11-14 minutes. For uncooked frozen wings, cook for 16-19 minutes. Don't forget to flip the wings halfway through for even cooking.

Keep in mind that cook time can vary depending on the size of the wings and the specifics of your air fryer. To ensure your wings are cooked through, check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Season the frozen wings

Seasoning frozen wings for your Della air fryer is a simple process. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dry rub seasoning, or lemon pepper. You can also add a little olive oil to help the seasonings stick to the wings.

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Turn on your Della air fryer and set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Let it preheat for about 3-5 minutes. Preheating ensures that your wings cook evenly and get that delicious crispy exterior.

Step 2: Prepare the Wings

Take your frozen wings and place them in a bowl. If they are stuck together, you can microwave them for about 30 seconds to thaw them just enough to separate. You can also let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to thaw slightly.

Step 3: Season the Wings

Now, it's time to add your chosen seasonings. Toss the wings with the seasonings, making sure they are evenly coated. A little olive oil can help the seasonings stick better, but it's not necessary due to the air fryer's cooking method.

Step 4: Arrange the Wings in the Air Fryer

Place the seasoned wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. This allows the hot air to circulate freely, ensuring even cooking and crispiness. If your air fryer is small, you may need to cook the wings in batches.

Step 5: Cook the Wings

Cook the wings for about 25-30 minutes, depending on your air fryer model. If your wings are precooked and frozen, they will need less time, typically around 15-20 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, open the air fryer and flip the wings to ensure even crisping on all sides.

Step 6: Check for Doneness

Your wings are done when they are golden brown and crispy. To be extra sure, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Now, you have perfectly seasoned frozen wings cooked in your Della air fryer! You can serve them as is or toss them in your favorite sauce. Enjoy!

Arrange the wings in the air fryer basket

When arranging the wings in the air fryer basket, it is important to ensure they are placed in a single layer, with some space between each wing. This allows for even cooking and crispiness. If your air fryer is too small to fit all the wings in a single layer, cook them in two batches.

It is also important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. This ensures that the hot air can circulate freely around each wing, cooking them evenly and making them crispy on all sides. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may only be able to fit around 12-16 wings in a single layer.

If your frozen wings are stuck together, you can microwave them for around 30 seconds to help separate them. However, if you are using fresh wings, it is best to freeze them separately before cooking to avoid having to defrost them in the air fryer.

Before placing the wings in the basket, you can toss them with your chosen seasonings. A light spritz of cooking oil can also help the seasoning stick to the wings and promote crispiness.

Cook for 25-30 minutes

Once you've preheated your air fryer to 400°F, placed your wings in the basket, and seasoned them, it's time to cook them.

For raw frozen wings, cook for 25-30 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, open the air fryer and flip the wings to ensure they get crispy on all sides. If you're cooking pre-cooked frozen wings, you'll only need to air fry them for 15-20 minutes.

Your wings should be golden brown and crispy when done. To be extra sure they're cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F.

Sauce the wings

Now that your wings are cooked, it's time to sauce them! There are many different sauces and dips that you can use to add flavour to your wings.

Some popular options are buffalo sauce, blue cheese, ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, honey BBQ sauce, sweet chilli sauce, and teriyaki sauce. You can also make your own sauce by whisking together buffalo sauce, honey, and Worcestershire sauce.

If you want to add a dry rub to your wings, you can use a mixture of garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Alternatively, you can use ground black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. You can also add a little baking powder to the wings during the cooking process to make them crispier.

When saucing your wings, make sure to do so in a bowl to ensure they are evenly coated. You can also garnish your wings with fresh parsley or serve them with celery or carrot sticks on the side.

Frequently asked questions