Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
These crispy air fryer chicken wings are the easiest way to get juicy, golden wings without deep frying. With just three pantry spices and 25 minutes, you’ll learn how to air fry chicken wings that come out perfectly crisp every single time (no oil needed)! Great for gatherings, game day, or even a weeknight dinner.
Excellent crispy chicken wings. Simple but it really works. I use this recipe for the superbowl weekend. And it’s perfect.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Chicken Wings
I used to avoid making chicken wings at home because of the oil splatter and mess of deep frying. Then I figured out the trick to perfectly crispy chicken wings in the air fryer, and it completely changed my game-day spread.
This is the only air fryer wings recipe you’ll need, whether you’re serving them plain, tossing them in buffalo sauce, or piling them on a platter for the Super Bowl. I love to serve them with spicy mayo and cilantro lime sauce, but I also love this Old Bay sauce! You honestly can’t go wrong here!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken Wings: You’ll need about 2.5 lbs of wings and drumettes. I don’t recommend using frozen wings unless you thaw them first and pat them dry completely.
- Seasonings: I use a simple combination of salt, pepper, and garlic powder, but feel free to season with additional herbs and spices if you like.
Recipe Variations
- Air fryer chicken breasts: If you prefer chicken breasts over wings, the air fryer still produces the juiciest results! You’ll just want to add a few extra spices.
- If you can’t already tell, I love chicken wings. If you’re looking for other options to add to your spread, try my zesty air fryer lemon pepper wings, these tangy, buttery air fryer buffalo wings, or these Cosmic Jerry air fryer wings for some variety!
How to Air Fry Chicken Wings
Follow these step-by-step instructions for easy, crispy chicken wings every time. If you’re new to the air fryer, check out my Air Fryer 101 post for all my air fryer tips, tricks, and hacks!
- Step 1: Season the wings. Place the chicken wings on a cookie sheet and season.
- Step 2: Place wings in air fryer basket. Make sure to arrange in a single layer.
- Step 3: Cook wings. Air fryer at 400 F for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Step 4: Serve. Serve plain or with your sauce of choice, like homemade BBQ sauce.
How Long to Cook Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer
Cook the chicken wings in the air fryer at 400°F for 25–30 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The exact timing depends on the size of your wings and the model of your air fryer, but here’s a guide to help you out:
| Wing Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh wings (small, 1–2 oz) | 400°F | 22–25 minutes |
| Fresh wings (large, 2–3 oz) | 400°F | 25–30 minutes |
| Reheating cooked wings | 350°F | 4–5 minutes |
The wings are done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F, and the skin is golden brown and crispy. Always flip wings halfway through so both sides get equal contact with the hot air. This is the #1 reason people end up with soggy wings on one side!
Tips for the Crispiest Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Pat the wings dry with a paper towel to remove any excess liquid before seasoning.
- Toss the wings in about 1/2 a teaspoon of baking powder before air frying to make the skin even crispier.
- Make sure to arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This ensures they’ll be crispy. You may have to do several batches if you have a smaller air fryer.
- Do not use frozen chicken wings! Thaw the chicken overnight in the fridge and pat them completely dry with a paper towel before using.
- To sauce or not to sauce? It’s really up to you! My personal favorite dipping sauces are spicy mayo and cilantro lime sauce, but I also love this Old Bay sauce.
- If you’re looking for a saucy wing, I highly recommend these honey Old Bay wings or these crispy, sticky air fryer Asian wings as well!
Recipe FAQs
One main reason this happens is because of overcrowding. The wings need a little bit of space around them for the air to properly circulate. If your wings overlap in the air fryer basket, you may need to cook them in separate batches.
Technically yes, but I don’t recommend it if you want the crispiest results. Frozen chicken wings release excess moisture as they cook, which steams the skin instead of crisping it. You’ll end up with rubbery, pale wings instead of the golden, crackly skin you’re after.
For the crispiest results, reheat your wings in the air fryer at 350F for 4-5 minutes, flipping halfway through.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs chicken wings
- kosher salt
- black pepper
- garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400° F. Place wings on baking sheets and season to taste with salt, pepper and garlic powder.2.5 lbs chicken wings, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder
- Place seasoned wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook the wings for 10-15 minutes, then turn them and continue cooking 10-15 minutes or until wings are golden brown.
- Remove from air fryer and serve with sauce of your choice.
Notes
-
- Use paper towels to blot any moisture off the wings before adding seasoning.
- Lightly coat the wings with around ½ teaspoon of baking powder—this helps the skin get extra crispy in the air fryer.
- Lay the wings out in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t stack or crowd them. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, work in batches.
- Skip the frozen wings. Air fryers don’t handle frozen meat well—it can cook unevenly and stay raw inside. Defrost your wings ahead of time by tossing them in the fridge the night before. No extra steps—just let them sit overnight.
Some of my favorite wing sauces:
Truff Hot Sauce, Buffalo and BBQ Assortment, Medium Buffalo Sauce, and Asian Zing Sauce all make great dipping sauces for wings!Nutrition
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Delicious!!
I am making the wings tomorrow. I brine my wings in water with garlic, salt and hot pepper flakes. Does that make a difference?
Thank you,
Erica NY
Nope, that sounds delicious!
These were outstanding! Seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Nice and crispy outside and inside was tender and moist. First time making them in my air fryer and will definitely make them this way from now on. Thank you!
Thank you Debbie!
These came out perfect.Made a small batch for lunch.My husband’s were the salt and pepper which he loved.I used Weber chili lime rub on mine .Also delicious❤️
How long do you preheat your air fryer for chicken wings
If you don’t have a preheat setting on your air fryer, you can preheat for about 5 minutes before putting them in.
I’m confused because this recipe says not to cook frozen wings but your eBook has a recipe using frozen wings.
Hi Trina,
I don’t have a wing recipe in my ebook. While you technically CAN cook frozen wings in the air fryer, I prefer not to cook from frozen.
WAY TOO SALTY,I HAD TO WIPE THEM ALL OFF. NOT GOOD FOR SOME ONE WHO HAS HIGH BP
Hi Janet – I’m sorry to hear that. You are welcome to adjust the salt to your liking for any recipe you are making.
Easy and delicious!! Will make often. No need for sauce. I used the baking powder to make extra crispy
Thank you so much!
What is the portion size of the nutritional value?
Hi Tabitha – nutrition was calculated for about 2 wings per serving.
Jordan you are the first food blogger that told the antiscroll clowns off and I respect that. Keep speaking your mind girl it’s refreshing
Thank you!
I love your replies to the haters! Fist time trying your recipe…wings are frying as I type!! Can’t wait!
Hehehe 😉 Hope you love the wings!!
First time making wings in the air drier and they turned out juicy and crispy! Used drum sticks instead. Great recipe and the honey hot sauce cut down on the sodium in the old bay.
These came out absolutely incredible. I’m pretty picky on my wings since I’m a huge texture eater and these did not disappoint. They were so crispy and the meat was so juicy and tender. I tossed mine in Buffalo sauce and minced garlic. I won’t ever make my wings another way except with this recipe! I’m definitely on a wing kick now! Thank you so much for the recipe!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Vanessa! I’m so glad you enjoyed them 🙂
First time making chicken wings in my new air fryer and this recipe was so easy and so delicious! This will definitely be my go to recipe for chicken wings!
I absolutely hate having to scroll down endlessly to get to the recipe.
While we’re on the subject of things we hate, I very much dislike when it rains outside. I also hate olives, beans, and anchovies.
I don’t like scrolling either! Have tried to forward recipes to my email (I do not do Facebook) and can’t get the recipe just the picture. Any suggestions.
Yes! You should buy a cookbook and stay off the internet 🙂
There is literally a button at the top that says “Jump to Recipe”…….
Always look at the top for something that says jump to recipe or go to recipe, usually there if you look for it. I agree having to scroll through is a bit annoying
Yeah, I really hate getting free online recipes that someone has posted with ads. Not to mention the chef’s expended time, food costs, trials and errors, writing reviews, measuring, etc. Yeah, I hate having free recipes that may make me a better cook. Don’t like the ads, why not create your own food blog?!
There is a tab on the top that says “jump to recipe”. Tap it and it scrolls down to it automatically.
Most of these recipes have a tab you can click at the top of the post to JUMP TO RECIPE 😉 This one has it also 😃