Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
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These crispy air fryer chicken wings are crisp and crackly on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. They have all the great texture and flavor you expect from this popular dish. Make this easy recipe in 30 minutes!
📌 PIN CRISPY AIR FRYER CHICKEN WINGS
🐓 why make chicken wings in an air fryer?
Using an air fryer is a huge time saver! It’s the fastest way to make this game-day appetizer. In a conventional oven, making crispy fried chicken wings can take 2-3 times longer than using this popular kitchen appliance.
🛒 INGREDIENTS
- Chicken wings, drumettes and wingettes
- Baking powder (NOT baking soda!)
- Sea salt
- Freshly-ground black pepper
- Cooking spray (for the fryer basket only)
OPTIONAL SEASONINGS: Spice things up with flavorful add-ins like lemon pepper, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, or cajun seasoning. Before serving, sprinkle red chili flakes over the top! Garnish with fresh parsley.
🥣 DIPPING SAUCE FOR CHICKEN WINGS
Tantalize your tastebuds! Serve fried chicken wings with a variety of dipping sauces. There’s something for everyone.
📖 CRISPY CHICKEN WINGS RECIPE
For crispy goodness, be sure to use baking powder NOT baking soda! For this recipe, these ingredients are not interchangeable! Step by step, follow these easy instructions for prepping wings for the fryer.
RECIPE PREP
- STEP 1: Rinse the chicken wings in cold water.
- STEP 2: Eliminate all moisture – this is very important! Dry them between paper towels. Get those wings super dry!
- STEP 3: Place the dried chicken wings in a zip-top bag.
- STEP 4: Add baking powder, salt and pepper. Zip the bag closed. Shake and massage it to fully distribute the baking powder and spices. Every piece should be coated.
🧑🏼🍳 RECIPE STEPS
- Spray down the cooking basket with canola oil.
- Arrange the wings in a single layer in the basket.
- Air fry for 10 mins at 475°F. Use tongs to flip the wings over.
- Air fry for 8 mins at 475°F.
- Crisp things up really well: Air fry for 2 mins at 500°F.
BEHIND THE SCENES: I experimented with 6 batches. I cooked them at various temperatures and for different lengths of time. I air fried them with cooking spray, then without cooking spray. The above time/temperature breakdown, and not spraying the wings with oil, delivered the crispiest texture. Two highly-discerning taste testers gave them a thumbs up!
👉🏻 KITCHEN TIP: This air fryer chicken wings recipe is ideal for all air fryers! Although I use a Mealthy CrispLid, you can easily adjust the cooking times, as needed, for your own appliance.
👩🏻🍳 AIR FRYER FAQ
These are the most commonly-asked questions about crispy air fryer chicken wings, and the most helpful answers for recipe success.
Preheating your air fryer depends on the make/model. Refer to your appliance handbook. If you’re unsure, preheat your air fryer for 10 minutes before cooking.
No. Never stack the wings! Always place them in a single layer with a little room in between. For crispy chicken wings, the air fryer heating element must be able to direct heat onto the individual pieces and circulate hot air around them.
This depends on the make, size and model of your air fryer. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. But for crisp wings, they’ll need to fry longer than that. Once the wings are fairly crisp, turn up the heat as far it goes. Air fry for another 2-3 minutes. When you press the skin and hear a nice crisp crunch you’ve achieved success.
Yes, but the cooking time will be longer than when cooking fresh wings. For faster cooking, defrost the chicken wings before air frying. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. In a time crunch, or when making multiple batches for parties, purchase fresh poultry.
🏈 MORE GAME DAY APPETIZERS
Get ready for Game Day fun with this collection of tasty appetizers!
- Fried Olives (air fryer recipe)
- Carne Asada Fries
- Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Wonton Taco Cups
- Tortellini Party Snacks
- Buffalo Chicken Wontons
- BBQ Little Smokies (crockpot recipe)
RATE THIS RECIPE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Flavor testers gave these crispy chicken wings high marks. They loved the crunchy skin and the tender juicy meat. They said they rivaled the wings from popular take-out restaurants.
If you agree this recipe’s a keeper, give it a 5-star rating in the comments. Then be a recipe hero. Share it with friends. 📌 Pin it to Pinterest.
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Total Time: 30 Minutes
- Yield: 5 Servings 1x
Description
These crispy chicken wings are are crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside. Make them in 30 minutes. Perfect as an appetizer or dinner. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken wings
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, or as desired
- 1 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
- Cooking spray: canola oil or olive oil (for fryer basket only)
- Optional: Your favorite dipping sauce.
Instructions
- Rinse the chicken wings in cold water. Eliminate all moisture – this is very important! Dry them between paper towels. Get those wings super dry!
- Place the dried chicken wings in a zip-top bag. Add baking powder, salt and pepper. Zip the bag closed. Shake and massage it to fully distribute the baking powder and spices over the wings. Every piece should be coated.
- Spray down the cooking basket with canola oil. Arrange the wings in a single layer in the basket. (Do not spray chicken wings with oil.)
- Air fry for 10 mins at 475°F. Use tongs to flip the wings over.
- Air fry for 8 mins at 475°F.
- Crips things up really well: Air fry for 2 mins at 500°F. When pressing down on the skin, you should hear a nice crisp crunch.
Notes
Can chicken wings be stacked in the air fryer? No. Never stack the wings! Always place them in a single layer with a little room in between. For crispy chicken wings, the heating element must be able to direct heat onto the individual pieces and circulate hot air around them.
Can I air fry frozen wings? No. Chicken wings need to be defrosted before air frying. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. In a time crunch, purchase fresh poultry!
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 20 Minutes
- Category: Appetizers, Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Air Fryer Chicken Wings, Fried Chicken Wings, Crispy Chicken Wings
FRIED CHICKEN WINGS 👉🏻 JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Do you have an air fryer? Have you ever tried making chicken wings? Do you prefer them as an appetizer or a dinner entree? Share your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you.
Is there anyone who has actually made wings using this recipe? That’s the only reason I am here. I have no interest in reading how everyone thinks they look good or who is going to run out and get an airfryer.
★★★★★
Hi Lara. In preparation for creating this recipe I went to Costco and picked up two big packages of chicken wings. I wanted to have enough wings to work with when developing this new recipe. I tried spraying the wings with oil. Tried no oil on the wings. I experimented with flipping the wings at various points in the cooking process. I tried various temperatures. I wanted to make sure the recipe I would share here was the best way to create crispy crunchy wings!
I have an air fryer and this is a life changer for me. Your chicken wings look delicious.
This is such a better option than deep frying. It seems so much cleaner too.
I don’t have an air fryer (yet) but I am going to get one as a birthday gift for myself. I have saved a lot of recipes already and I think your crispy chicken wings recipe will be the first one I will try.
★★★★★
An air fryer is on my wishlist this year. So tired of wasting time and gas using the oven to prepare a batch of chicken wings.
These Air Fryer Chicken Wings look so good that I can’t believe that they are made in the Air Fryer! I must try it!
★★★★★
Those wings look so good! I don’t have an air fryer but I have been thinking to get one!
★★★★★
These air fryer chicken wings looks delicious. I haven’t tried anything in air fryer. looks like crispy and delicious and I need to buy this air fryer now!
★★★★★
This is so easy to prepare! My sister always asks for chicken wings, she really likes it. I will make this for her.
★★★★★
I want an air fryer but I know that the small one just won’t work. I’d love a new oven that has that feature. Over the years, I always bake my foods as much as possible without adding oil.
These look so good. I love chicken wings. I also really love using the air fryer. I haven’t tried making these yet though.
Both my husband and son are huge fans of chicken wings. Now all I need is an air fryer so I can make this dish.
My body can’t handle deep fried foods anymore, so I haven’t enjoyed chicken wings in a really long time. I need to get my air fryer back from my friend so I can try your recipe. It sounds really good and will probably give me my fix for my wing cravings!
Wait, quicker and healthier wings? I need an air fryer asap! These look fantastic for game day or upcoming holiday parties!
★★★★★
I can’t believe how quick and easy these wings are. They’re a family favorite.
★★★★★
These look so good! I love wings! I just need to get an air fryer now.
★★★★★
I don’t have an air fryer, but these crispy chicken wings might just be the reason I get one!
★★★★★
Another vote for the air fryer! And what an easy, scrumptious chicken wing recipe. These will disappear on every game day event…thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
All the more reason to use the air fryer now!
I have an air fryer on my wishlist, but still haven’t gotten one yet. Definitely need to now! These chicken wings look incredible. Love the ideas for the optional seasonings.
★★★★★
I love serving chicken wings on game day. I haven’t tried making them in the air fryer yet but I’m going to use your recipe this weekend! Looks so yummy!
★★★★★