Craving crispy, juicy chicken wings without the grease? My crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings are a total game-changer! They’re ready in a flash, perfectly golden, and bursting with flavor—no mess, no fuss!
Chicken Wings In The Air Fryer
Air fryer chicken wings are a go-to dinner or appetizer in my house because my family absolutely loves them! They’re quick to make, delicious, and always perfectly crispy. Plus, they’re a lifesaver on busy nights when we want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen. No air fryer? No problem! Bake them in the oven instead (recipe below). Whether dipping them in ranch, drizzling with BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce or enjoying them plain, these wings are guaranteed to be a hit with the whole family! I also have these baked Buffalo Wings for a spicier version. See all my air fryer recipes here.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Chicken Wings
I enjoy making wings in the air fryer because it’s a quick way to get that crispy, juicy texture I love! After trying a few different methods, this air fryer chicken wing recipe has become my go-to for basic wings. If you have one of my air fryer cookbooks, you should also try my air fryer buffalo wings, my signature wings, and Korean wings!
- Perfectly crispy: Baking powder helps the skin turn golden and crispy without deep frying.
- Quick and easy: These wings require only 10 minutes of prep and are ready in about 30 minutes.
- Simple ingredients: You only need chicken wings and a handful of pantry spices.
- Versatile: Enjoy them plain or toss them with your favorite wing sauce.
- Dietary friendly: They’re gluten-free, dairy-free, keto-friendly, and high in protein.
What You’ll Need
Here are the ingredients to create the most delicious chicken wings in the air fryer. The exact measurements are in the recipe card below.
- Chicken Wingettes and Drumettes are parts of the whole chicken wing. Chicken wings are usually sold already cut into smaller pieces, which makes them easier to cook evenly since the pieces are all the same size.
- Seasoning: Kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika
- Dried Herbs: Oregano, thyme, sage
- Baking Powder It works with the chicken skin to raise its pH level, giving you that perfect golden-brown crispiness.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Wings
This easy air fryer chicken wing recipe only takes a few minutes to prep. Then, they’re ready to cook! Scroll to the recipe card below for the printable instructions.
- Prep the Chicken: Pat the wings dry and season with the herbs, spices, and baking powder.
- Air Fry: Spray the air fryer basket with oil and air fry the wings for 16 to 22 minutes at 400°F, shaking the basket halfway through.
Variations
There are so many ways to switch up this basic recipe! Just add your favorite wing sauce. Here’s a few ideas:
- Garlic Parmesan: Toss wings in a touch of melted butter, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese, then finish with a sprinkle of parsley.
- Buffalo Wing Sauce: Omit the salt. Once cooked, coat the chicken in a tangy mix of Franks hot sauce and a little melted butter for that classic spicy flavor. See this buffalo wing recipe for seasoning.
- Honey Sriracha: Sweet and spicy! Combine honey, Sriracha, soy sauce, and a bit of lime juice for a sticky glaze during the last minute of air frying.
- Lemon Pepper Wings: Replace the spices with lemon pepper for a zesty, peppery kick.
- Teriyaki: Marinate the wings in soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic, then bake until caramelized.
- BBQ: Toss the chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce for a sweet and smoky finish.
- Cajun Spice: Swap the spices out for Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, and a dash of cayenne for a spicy, bold flavor.
- Korean Gochujang: Glaze the wings at the end with a mix of gochujang (Korean chili paste), soy sauce, sesame oil, and a touch of honey for a savory, spicy, and slightly sweet flavor.
No air fryer? No problem! Bake them at 425°F for 45 minutes, flipping halfway.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Party Apps: These crispy chicken wings in the air fryer make a great appetizer if you’re hosting a football-watching party. Serve them with ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing and some carrot and celery sticks. Pair them with other apps such as baked sweet potato skins, deviled eggs, and hot spinach artichoke dip.
- As a Main Dish Dinner: Serve the wings with a green salad, or roasted broccoli to make it a meal.
Storage
- Refrigerate leftover chicken wings for 4 days.
- Freeze wings for 3 months in an airtight container.
- Thaw the chicken in the fridge and reheat it in the microwave or air fryer.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings FAQ
It’s essential to pat the chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning and cooking. The less moisture on the meat, the crispier it’ll get in the air fryer. These wings come together in no time, but one secret ingredient makes all the difference: baking powder! It works with the chicken skin to raise its pH level, giving you that perfect golden-brown crispiness.
For the crispiest wings, recommend cooking in batches rather than adding a second layer.
Yes, but they will take longer and won’t get quite as crispy. Air fry the frozen wings until thawed, drain any liquid, then season and continue cooking until browned and cooked through.
It depends on your air fryer model. Preheating can help the wings begin crisping immediately, but this recipe also works without it. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions and adjust the cooking time as needed.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
- BBQ Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Nuggets
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 20 chicken wingettes and drumettes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon ground sage
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
Instructions
- Pat the wings dry so there is no moisture. Spray the air fryer basket with oil.
- In a large bowl, season the wings with salt, spices and baking powder to coat well.
- Transfer the wings to the air fryer basket in a single layer, in batches as needed and air fry 400F 16 to 22 minutes, shaking the basket halfway.
Oven Method
- Bake them on a rack 425°F for 45 minutes, flipping halfway.
Last Step:
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Notes
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- Garlic Parmesan: Toss wings in a touch of melted butter, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese, then finish with a sprinkle of parsley.
- Buffalo Wing Sauce: Omit the salt. Once cooked, coat the chicken in a tangy mix of Franks hot sauce and a little melted butter for that classic spicy flavor. See this buffalo wing recipe for seasoning.
- Honey Sriracha: Sweet and spicy! Combine honey, Sriracha, soy sauce, and a bit of lime juice for a sticky glaze during the last minute of air frying.
- Lemon Pepper Wings: Replace the spices with lemon pepper for a zesty, peppery kick.
- Teriyaki: Marinate the wings in soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic, then bake until caramelized.
- BBQ: Toss the chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce for a sweet and smoky finish.
- Cajun Spice: Swap the spices out for Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, and a dash of cayenne for a spicy, bold flavor.
- Korean Gochujang: Glaze the wings at the end with a mix of gochujang (Korean chili paste), soy sauce, sesame oil, and a touch of honey for a savory, spicy, and slightly sweet flavor.