🍗 Air Fryer Chicken Wings
These wings come out perfectly crispy every time using just your air fryer. Great as a party snack, game day appetizer, or quick dinner idea!
📋 Ingredients
For Basic Wings:
- 2 lbs (900g) chicken wings (drumettes and flats, separated)
- 1 tbsp baking powder (NOT baking soda – helps make them crisp!)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika (optional, for color & flavor)
Optional Wing Sauces:
- Buffalo: ¼ cup hot sauce + 2 tbsp melted butter
- BBQ: ½ cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
- Honey Garlic: 3 tbsp honey + 2 tbsp soy sauce + 1 minced garlic clove
🥄 Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Prep Wings:
- Pat wings dry with paper towels (super important for crispiness).
- In a large bowl, toss wings with baking powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika until evenly coated.
- Air Fry Wings:
- Arrange wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket (do not overcrowd).
- Cook at 380°F (193°C) for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- For extra crispiness, increase to 400°F (204°C) for the last 5 minutes.
- Sauce ‘Em Up (Optional):
- Toss cooked wings in your preferred sauce or serve sauces on the side for dipping.
💡 Tips for Crispy Perfection
- Dry wings thoroughly: Removes moisture = more crisp.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Air needs to circulate.
- Use baking powder (aluminum-free preferred): Secret weapon for that crispy skin.
- Add sauce after cooking: Prevents soggy wings.
🍽 Servings
- Serves: 4 (about 5–6 wings per person)
🔍 Nutritional Info (Per Serving, no sauce) (approximate)
- Calories: 290
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 1g
- Sodium: ~400mg
Sauce will increase calories and sodium depending on type and amount used.
🌱 Benefits
- Lower in fat than deep-fried wings
- No added oil needed
- Quick & easy with less mess
- Perfect for keto, low-carb, or gluten-free diets (just skip sugary sauces)
❓ Q & A
Q: Can I cook frozen wings in the air fryer?
A: Yes! Increase cooking time to 30–35 minutes at 380°F and make sure to separate them as they thaw. Pat dry halfway through for crispier skin.
Q: Do I need to marinate the wings first?
A: Not required, but you can marinate for added flavor. Just make sure to dry them well before air frying.
Q: Can I reheat wings in the air fryer?
A: Definitely. Reheat at 375°F for 5–7 minutes to restore crispiness.
Q: What dipping sauces go best?
A: Ranch, blue cheese, garlic aioli, honey mustard, or even just extra hot sauce.
Would you like a spicy dry rub version or a printable version for this recipe too?