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!
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
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 This Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe
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!
- Easy: Make homemade chicken wings in just 2 simple steps!
- Healthy: No deep frying.
- Dietary Restrictions: They’re gluten-free, Weight Watchers-friendly, high- protein, keto, and dairy-free.
If you make this healthy air fryer chicken wing recipe, I would love to see it. Tag me in your photos or videos on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook!
What You’ll Need
Here’s 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.
- How Long to Cook Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer: 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.
FAQs
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.
Keeping them in a single layer is best so that they cook quicker and brown more evenly. However, if your air fryer is smaller, you can do a second layer of wings. Just cook for an extra 10 to 15 minutes and shake the basket 5 or 6 times while cooking.
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
So cook according to your desired crispness. If your air fryer is too small to do this in a single layer, you can cook them in one batch, and just add 10 to 15 minutes to the cook time and shake the basket 4 to 5 times while cooking. 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.
My husband and I loved this! So easy. My only issue was that I didn’t line the pan with parchment, ( my fault)..
Baking Powder is the mind blowing! I would’ve never thought to use that to make chicken crispy. Game changer! Already my second time making these wings! So good!
The simplicity and the deliciousness of this recipe are a 10 out of 10. Don’t wait to make this!
Delicious
Can this recipe be made with the skin removed?
I made these with the honey sriracha sauce and it was delicious! It will be my go to wings recipe
Family approved. Thank you for another great recipe!
Delicious and easy to prepare in the air fryer. My family all enjoyed them. I did the original recipe but may try the buffalo one next time.
Have made this with the Buffalo seasoning on repeat this football season. It is clutch with my family every time.
Best wings I have ever tasted.
Thanks!
Don’t understand the reasoning for baking powder?
The baking powder helps draw moisture out of the chicken for crispier skin, and it raises the pH level of the skin which helps it brown. It makes a big difference!
Quick, easy, very good!!! Seasonings are delicious.
These were perfect! Crispy and great seasonings. The air fryer is the way to go for chicken wings. Great recipe!
These wings were excellent. I made them as written and ate them without any sauce. Crispy and tasty! Great recipe.
My family’s favourite wing recipe. Quick, easy, and delicious!
Loved them. 16 minutes was perfect. Wonderful plain and with honey Sriracha sauce added for last minute. Used chipotle sauce, as that is what I had! Made it with 1 tb. each honey and low sodium Soy Sauce and 1/2 tb.chipotle – use more for more heat!
These turned out to be our favorite chicken wing recipe – so good! I served them with the Garlic Parmesan sauce – yum! Thanks Gina for another great recipe!
These are fantastic!
I’ve never made chicken wings in my life and these were delicious! I had some following the recipe and some with added buffalo wing sauce.
This is our favorite wing recipe! We make them almost every week.
So good and easy. Second time making, becoming a family favorite. Mine are ready on the shorter end of the cooking time range.
This recipe sounds delicious and I can hardly wait until I make it.!!
My first time also air frying wings. so easy even for an old dude. They were great, wife approved!
Perfect! 🙂
Wow Wow! This recipe is so Delicious! Finally found a great tasty and easy air fried recipe. I can’t believe how tasty this was and will definitely make again. Finally good fried chicken made healthy. Thank you!
I made these wings last night and they were AMAZING!!
Easy to prepare, I will definitely make them again.
YAYYYY
I just made these…. they were sooooo good. Thanks for the recipe.
awesome!! so good
It was hard to imagine making crispy, flavorful wings in the air fryer, but this recipe delivered! I brined the wings for 30 minutes and omitted the salt in the seasoning. Otherwise, I followed the recipe exactly. Such great crunch and flavor. I’m excited to experiment with different seasonings. Thanks, Gina!
These wings were SO amazing – crispy, well seasoned – just delicious. I made some of the honey lime Sriracha to brush on, which I thought might make the wings less crispy, but that did not happen. My own (personal) issue with the wings was the serving size. Five wings? I think not! Not today, anyway – I was unable/unwilling to stop at five. Try these!
great flavor!
This recipe is simply excellent. I’ve made them twice now and they are perfect. I didn’t change a thing and will continue to make them often. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed them!
Quite delicious and easy. I air fried for 16 minutes, tossed in sauce, then air fried another 3 minutes. Perfect!
If the wings are frozen do u let then thew first
Way too salty. Spice and crispiness were great so I’ll try again with half the salt!
These were SO easy and SO delicious! My kids (14,12,9) loved them — one of them ate 10 of them!! These will definitely be in the cycle for quick meals.
Made this last week for college game day and my husband and kids liked them so much they requested them again this weekend. Really great spice mix (not spicy – great for kids) and super crispy without being greasy. Sooooooo good!!!
ummmmmm
YUM!!!!
I had stopped eating wings because I thought they were always so greasy. These were so good. Topped mine with the honey sriracha combo.
Excellent!!
How do you count the calories on this? Did you subtract bone weight?
I did it per wingette.
These were amazing…on par with Wingstop which is my go to for wings. Thank you!
How did you count the calories? Did you account for the bone? I bought wingettes and drummettes and 5 wings counted as 513 cals…but I used the chicken packing by lb as a reference for cals. I imagine the weight in lbs counted the weight of the bones. How do you accurately calculate cals?
If I make them in the oven, just put them directly on a baking sheet?
A rack is better but sure that is fine too.
I prepared these wings last night. They are delicious. Easy recipe also. Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us.
Are the blue numbers WW points? If so, how do you get 7 pts for 5 wings? I can’t get a good number for wings on the app so I’m genuinely asking! This looks yummy and I’d love to make them, especially if they are only 7pts for 5…
it’s per drummette and wingette. If you are on your phone you can click the ww link to see it in recipe builder.
Wow, very crispy and flavorful! I used chickens legs since they were on sale. They were huge so I double the spices. I didn’t have rosemary. My son said they tasted great and the house smells really good. I cooked them in the air fryer. I would like to try them in the oven next time. The only reason why is so I can make them all at once. I did 3 batches is the air fryer.
Yes if your air fryer is small you need to do them in batches. So glad you loved them.
Had these for dinner this evening and we absolutely loved them! The baking powder really improves the texture and the spice blend was delish. Such a versatile recipe, this one will be in our regular rotation.
I’m not sure why but mine tasted like baking soda They did not taste good
You were supposed to use baking powder, not baking soda.
Oh wow, this turned out amazing! My kids and husband demolished all of them and requested that we make this again next week! The spice mix was perfect for all of us. Thank you for another super delicious and extremely easy recipe on a school night!
So thrilled they loved them!!
Any Suggestions on an Air Fryer? Finally giving in to the hype. In Canada.
I like a few, Allcool is good and the one I use.
This was my first time making wings & I loved them! It was so easy with a nice flavor. Can’t wait to try some of the variations! I think they would be great baked in the oven too.