Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe: Crispy & Juicy

If you are looking for an easy way to upgrade weeknight dinners or impress guests with minimal effort, keep reading to discover steps that will help you master air fryer chicken wings at home.

Why Make Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer?

Here are the key reasons chicken wings in the air fryer stand out compared to other cooking methods:

• The air fryer delivers extra-crispy chicken wings while keeping the meat juicy inside.
• Requires very little oil, making air-fried chicken wings a healthier alternative to deep frying.
• You can cook chicken wings quickly, usually in under 20 minutes, depending on wing size and air fryer capacity.
• Air fryers use powerful hot air circulation to cook chicken wings more evenly than a traditional oven.

Ingredients You Need for Crisp Air Fryer Wings

The simple pantry staples below come together to make the best air fryer chicken wings with minimal effort.

• Defrosted chicken wings (drums and flats). If using frozen wings, thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

How Do You Cook Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer Step by Step?

If you’re wondering how to cook chicken wings in air fryer, follow these simple steps for wings that turn out crisp on the outside and juicy inside.

1. Prepare the wings

Make sure the wings are fully defrosted, then split them into drums and flats. Pat them dry all over. Removing moisture helps the skin crisp up properly.

2. Season the wings

Place the wings in a large bowl and add olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss well to evenly coat all the wings. You can also swap in your favorite seasoning blend if desired.

3. Preheat the air fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 200°C for a few minutes to ensure even cooking chicken wings in an air fryer.

4. Air fry the wings

Place the wings in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch each other. Cook at 200°C for 10 minutes..

5. Flip and continue cooking

Gently open the air fryer and turn the wings over with care. Close the basket and continue cooking at 200°C for another 8–10 minutes, until golden and crispy.

6. Serve

Once the wings are golden and crispy, transfer them to a serving plate and serve immediately with your favorite dips or side dishes.

How Long to Cook Chicken Wings in Air Fryer?

Air fryer chicken wings typically take 15 to 20 minutes to cook depending on their size, thickness, and the air fryer model used. More powerful air fryers heat up faster and circulate hot air more efficiently, allowing wings to cook evenly and become crispy sooner. Smaller or lower-powered models may need closer to the full 20 minutes to achieve the best texture and golden results.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Wings?

Air fryer chicken wings crispy pair well with both classic sides and lighter options such as:

• Classic dips like blue cheese dressing, ranch, cilantro lime dip, or homemade buffalo sauce
• Fresh celery and carrot sticks for a traditional restaurant-style pairing
• Corn on the cob, made in the air fryer or Instant Pot for an easy, flavorful side
• French fries, potato wedges, or tater tots cooked in the air fryer
• Sweet potato fries are a healthier alternative with great texture
• Creamy mac and cheese for a hearty, comfort food combo
• Simple wedge salad or coleslaw to balance the richness of the wings

How Do You Store and Reheat Air Fryer Chicken Wings?

Crispy air fryer chicken wings taste best when freshly cooked, but leftovers can still be enjoyed if stored and reheated properly.

• Storage
  Let the wings cool first, then place them in an airtight container. They’ll keep in the fridge for up to four days. If you don’t plan to eat them soon, freezing is a better option. Frozen wings hold up well and give you more time before quality drops.

• Reheating
  The air fryer is the best way to reheat chicken wings while keeping the skin crispy. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C. Lightly grease the basket, add the wings (no thawing needed for frozen wings), and reheat them, flipping every three minutes, until they are heated through.

Conclusion

Air fryer chicken wings are a convenient way to get crispy skin and juicy meat at home with minimal oil and effort. With proper drying, simple seasoning, and the right cooking time, wings cook evenly and develop great texture, making them suitable for everyday meals or sharing with friends.

An air fryer that heats evenly also helps, so you’re not checking and rechecking every batch. If you’re upgrading your small appliances for the kitchen, a well-built Midea air fryer can make wing nights simpler and more consistent.

FAQs

Why aren’t my wings getting crispy in the air fryer?

Excess moisture is the most common cause. Be sure to thoroughly pat the wings dry with paper towels before adding any seasoning, as moisture can hinder the skin from achieving the desired crispiness.

Add a small amount of baking powder to the seasoning, as it raises the pH of the chicken skin and helps it brown more quickly, creating a golden, crispy texture in the air fryer.

Should you use baking powder for extra crispy wings?

Yes, baking powder is one of the most effective ways to get extra crispy chicken wings air fryer. It raises the pH of the chicken skin, helping moisture evaporate faster and creating tiny bubbles on the surface. When cooked at high heat in the air fryer, those bubbles turn into a golden, crunchy crust. Just make sure to use baking powder, instead of baking soda.

Can you cook frozen wings in the air fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen wings in the air fryer, but they will not be as crispy as thawed wings. Frozen wings release extra moisture, which makes it harder for the skin to crisp and for seasonings to stick.

If cooking from frozen, make sure the wings are separated, add about 5 to 8 extra minutes to the cooking time, and season them once the surface has thawed after the first few minutes. For crispy wings air fryer, thawing the wings first is still the best option.