If you’re looking for a tasty and easy air fryer chicken wings recipe, you’ve come to the right place. This recipe yields perfectly crispy and flavorful wings that make for an ideal game-day appetizer or side dish.
While an air fryer is a great device for hands-off cooking, your dishes might come out a bit dry if you cook them for a little too long. But worry not; as long as you follow my instructions, I promise that the chicken wings will be perfectly moist on the inside.
Plus, I also include 3 yummy sauces that go exceptionally well with your chicken wings. If that sounds good to you, scroll down and give today’s recipe a try!
Why Air Fryer Chicken Wings Are An Absolute Must-Try
It’s not an exaggeration to say that fried chicken wings are a universally loved treat. However, making them at home isn’t always easy, and you usually have oil splattering all over the kitchen.
Well, not anymore, as today’s recipe will solve all the problems with traditional fried chicken wings recipes.
First, it requires only a few cooking tools, meaning the clean-up will be easy as pie. In addition, by using the air fryer, you will reduce the amount of oil to a minimum. As a result, the wings will be much healthier, and better yet, no more greasy kitchen afterward!
The thing I love most about this recipe is that you won’t need to sacrifice flavor for convenience. Your air-fried wings will be delightfully crunchy outside and moist and juicy inside. Toss them with the 3 types of sauces that I’ve included in this post, and you’ll never miss deep-fried chicken wings ever again!
What Tools Are Required for Preparing Air Fried Chicken Wings?
As mentioned before, the tools required for this recipe are surprisingly simple. I believe you won’t have any trouble gathering all of them.
Which Ingredients Make Up Air Fried Chicken Wings?
Besides chicken wings and a few spices to season them, you’ll also prepare the ingredients for the homemade sauce.
What Steps to Follow for Air Fried Chicken Wings?
I won’t let you wait anymore. Here’s my secret recipe for the juiciest and crunchiest air fryer chicken wings.
Step 1: Cut and Season the Chicken Wings
First, wipe the chicken wings completely dry. Locate the joints and cut right into them to separate the wings into two parts: the drumettes and the wingettes.
Put the wings in a large mixing bowl and season them with the following ingredients:
Toss well to ensure all wings are evenly coated with the seasoning mix.
Step 2: Air Fry the Chicken Wings
Preheat the air fryer to 385 degrees F for 5 minutes. Then, spray a thin layer of cooking oil on the basket.
Place the seasoned wings into the basket. Don’t add too many wings at once, or you might overcrowd the air fryer.
Select “chicken mode” and air fry the wings at 385 degrees F for 20 minutes. Use the tongs to flip the chicken halfway through cooking.
Continue air frying the wings at 385 degrees F for the remaining time. After 20 minutes, increase the temperature to 400 degrees F and cook the wings for another 5 minutes to crisp up their skins.
Step 3: Finish with Style: Plain or Dressed with Sauce
Once the wings are fully cooked, remove them from the air fryer. They are delicious on their own, but for those who prefer a richer flavor, consider adding one of three delightful sauce options.
Option 1: BBQ Sauce
Once the wings have cooked for 20 minutes, pause the air frying process (do not cook for an additional 5 minutes). Generously brush your favorite BBQ sauce over both sides of each wing.
Return the wings to the air fryer and cook at 400°F for another 2 minutes. This short blast of heat helps the sauce caramelize slightly, adding a depth of flavor.
After removing the wings from the fryer, garnish them with toasted sesame seeds for an extra layer of texture and taste.
Option 2: Honey Buffalo Sauce
To make the honey buffalo sauce, mix together:
Pour the sauce over the chicken wings. Toss to coat.
Option 3: Honey Garlic Sauce
Add to a bowl and mix well:
Pour the honey garlic sauce on the wings and toss to coat. Sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds or scallions on top.
A Few Important Notes
Don’t overlook the following notes just because the recipe is simple. Trust me; they’ll come in handy.
No More Greasy Chicken Wings
Air fryer chicken wings are an excellent recipe for people who want to eat healthier as they use very little oil. The best part is that there’s virtually no difference in their crispness compared to other cooking methods.
The next time that you crave some delicious chicken wings, give today’s recipe a go. I’m sure you’ll be extremely pleased with the result. Please like and leave your thoughts on this post in the comment section. More importantly, don’t forget to share it with others.
Super Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Knife
- Chopping Board
- Tongs
- Basting Brush
- Mixing Bowl
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 2.2 pounds of chicken wings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 1.5 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon pepper
For the BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
For the honey buffalo sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 4 tablespoons Sriracha sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
For the honey garlic sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
Instructions
Air Fry the Chicken Wings
- First, pat or wipe the chicken wings completely dry. Locate the joints and cut right into them to separate the wings into two parts: the drumettes and the wingettes.
- Put the wings in a mixing bowl and season them with olive oil, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss well to coat.
- Preheat the air fryer to 385 degrees F for 5 minutes. Spray a thin layer of cooking oil on the basket.
- Place the seasoned wings into the basket.
- Select the chicken mode and air fry the wings at 385℉ for 20 minutes. Use the tongs to flip the chicken halfway through cooking.
- Keep air frying the wings at 385°F until the 20 minutes are up. Then, raise the heat to 400°F and cook for 5 more minutes.
- Once done, take the chicken wings out of the air fryer. You can enjoy them as they are, or add more flavor with three different sauce options.
Option 1: Coat the Wings with BBQ Sauce
- After air frying the chicken for 20 minutes, instead of continuing to cook for 5 minutes, brush your favorite BBQ sauce on both sides of the wings. Then, air fry them again for 2 minutes at 400°F.
- Once finished, take them out, sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds on top, and they're ready to eat.
Option 2: Cover the Wings with Honey Buffalo Sauce
- Combine melted unsalted butter, Sriracha sauce, and honey to make the honey buffalo sauce.
- Drizzle this sauce over the fully cooked chicken wings and toss them to evenly coat. Enjoy your flavorful wings!
Option 3: Smother the Wings with Honey Garlic Sauce
- Add honey, melted unsalted butter, and minced garlic to a bowl and mix well. Mix these well, then pour the honey garlic sauce over the wings, making sure they're well coated.
- For a final touch, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds or scallions on top. Enjoy your tasty treat!
Video
Notes
- The total time is enough to make 6 servings.
- The size of the wings will affect the cooking time. Smaller chicken wings will cook faster.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket, or the wings won’t cook evenly. Cook in multiple batches if necessary.
- Feel free to customize the seasoning by adding your favorite spices.
- Make sure that you pat the wings completely dry before seasoning them. Otherwise, they won’t be able to absorb the spices fully.
- Excessive moisture also causes the wings to lose their crispness.
- You can buy chicken wings that have already been cut into wingettes and drumettes to save time.
- The wing tips are edible, so you don’t have to cut them off.
Nutrition
Tien – Alden
Content Writer
Expertise
Home Cooking, Recipe Development, Food Editor, Beverage Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Asian Food Content Creator
Education
Saigon Tourism College
Advanced Culinary Workshop, Beijing
Vietnamese Traditional Cooking School
American College of Vietnam
Alden is a skilled chef with expertise in Asian cuisines, known for blending traditional Vietnamese and Chinese cooking with contemporary innovations. Alden’s passion for Asian flavors and her creative approach to both food and beverages inspires fellow chefs and those aspiring to enter the field.