These Air Fryer Chicken Wings have crisp, salty skin and a tender, juicy center. They’re tossed with a simple savory spice rub and a surprising ingredient that helps create irresistible crispiness. They take less than 20 minutes to cook, and there’s no marinating time required. You can use this recipe with a variety of sauces to coat or dip the wings.
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Air Fryer Chicken Wings Video
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Cooking Chicken wings in the air fryer is brilliant, and you will make wings way more often if you try this air fryer method. Cooking chicken wings in the air fryer is one of the fastest ways to get crisp skin and juicy meat. Baking powder helps dry the skin without adding flavor, while the circulating hot air makes the wings blistered and crisp. Did I mention this method is super FAST?
The air fryer cook time is three times faster than my Baked Chicken Wings, Baked Buffalo Wings, or Lemon Pepper Wings when cooked in a traditional oven. There’s no need to preheat the air fryer, which saves you prep time and makes this the fastest crispy chicken wings recipe. All you need is your favorite wing sauce for dipping (more on that below).
Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Chicken Wings – cut into flats and drummettes. I love the big packs of organic chicken wings from Costco.
- Oil – helps the spices stick to the wings and helps with browning.
- Spice Rub – the best and most versatile chicken seasoning, all you need is salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Baking powder – my secret ingredient to make the wings extra crispy because it dries out the chicken skin.
How to Split Chicken Wings
If your chicken wings are sold whole (and they are less expensive this way), you will need to cut them for even crisping. To cut a chicken wing, locate the joint between the wing tip, the middle section (drumette), and the end section (the flat). Use a sharp knife to cut into the joint between these sections to create three pieces. You’ll only use the drumettes and flats. Wing tips don’t have any meat and tend to burn, so save those for chicken stock or discard them.
How to Air Fry Chicken Wings
- Prep Wings – Pat the chicken pieces dry with a paper towel and set into a large bowl. This is the key to extra crispy chicken wings.
- Drizzle with oil and toss to coat.
- Season – In a small bowl, stir together the seasonings and baking powder (if using), then toss the wings to evenly coat.
- Air Fry – Arrange the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry right away. You can let them marinate if you’re making them ahead, but there’s no need to pre-marinate chicken wings. Air Fry at 400˚F for 8 minutes, then shake the basket to flip and air fry for another 8-12 minutes. They should be crispy and golden brown when ready.
How Long to Cook Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer
Air fry chicken wings at 400˚F for 16 to 20 minutes, flipping or shaking the basket halfway through. Smaller wings may be done closer to 16 minutes, while larger wings may need the full 20 minutes. The wings are ready when the skin is crisp and golden, and the thickest part of the chicken reaches at least 165˚F on an instant-read thermometer. If you let them reach 175˚F to 185˚F, they will have even more flavor and texture.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Wings
- Pat dry to remove excess moisture, so the skins get crisp instead of steaming.
- Let Air Circulate – leave some space between the wings and air fry in a single layer for optimal crispiness on all sides.
- Use a little baking powder – for extra crispy wings, about 1 tsp per pound of wings helps dry out and blister the skin for an extra golden and crispy skin. I also did this with my crispy Baked Chicken Wings.
- Sauce after cooking: wait until the wings are cooked to add any sauce. If you add sauce too early, the wings lose crispiness.
What to Serve with Air-Fried Chicken Wings
I love serving this restaurant style. My husband used to work at a Chilis restaurant, and they served their wings tossed in Buffalo Chicken Wing Sauce paired with fresh celery and blue cheese dressing – classic! They also pair really well with these dips and sides:
- Ranch Dressing or Avocado Ranch
- Veggie Dip
- Potato Wedges
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Coleslaw or Caesar Salad
- Corn on the Cob
- Baked Potatoes
We love crispy chicken like my Chicken Schnitzel, Popcorn Chicken or General Tso’s Chicken, but the air fryer is our new best friend for chicken wings because it’s so much faster, requires less oil, and is memorably crispy!
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken wings, split into flats and drummettes*
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt, or add to taste*
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp baking powder, optional (do not use baking soda)
Instructions
- Thoroughly pat dry chicken wings with paper towels and place in a mixing bowl.
- Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat.
- Season – In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, paprika, garlic and onion powder, and baking powder (if using), then sprinkle over the chicken and toss to evenly coat wings with seasoning.
- Air Fry – Place in air frying basket, spacing evenly, and air fry at 400˚F for 16-20 minutes, flipping halfway. Air-fry until chicken wings are crisp and golden brown on the outside. They should reach 165˚F on an instant-read thermometer, and they will taste even better if you let them reach 175˚F to 185˚F.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
If you’re looking for quick and simple meal ideas, you’ll love these air fryer recipes:
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Crispy Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Easy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Air Fried Pork Chops
- Crispy Air Fryer Bacon (my fave method!)
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Whole Chicken
I really like your posts and videos. They give me new ideas and new ways to do the everyday cooking that we love. These chicken wings will definitely help me with using my air fryer. Bless you and yours!
Thank you, Lois for your good comments and feedback!
love this receipe- can you recommend a reheat method if i make them ahead?
Hi Marie, we always ate them fresh & I honestly haven’t tested that yet to advise. If you do an experiment, please share with us how it goes.
Alton Brown had suggested steaming the wings for 10 minutes to cook them and then roasting (or in this air frying) at a very high temp of 425 to 450 for about 5 minutes to crisp them. What is your opinion of that option?
Hi Jack, that’s another process but I haven’t tested that yet to comment. I bet that will work well too.
DRY with little flavor! I did use a high quality chicken wing not store bought. Followed to the t, disappointed I spent good money on the wings for nothing!
I’m so sorry to hear that Patricia. The most common reason is overcooking the meat. If you try this recipe again I would see about decreasing the time and adding more seasoning to your preference.
These are my favourite homemade chicken wings. I did use no salt seasoning because we have high blood pressure.
Am doing a sample test before the game. Just an excuse to have a couple.
Sounds great, Sue. Enjoy and I hope everyone loves it too!
Excited be making your air fryer chicken wing recipe tonight will let you know the results.Also looking forward to receiving your other air fryer recipes 😃
I hope you love it, Maria!
Hello Natasha,
I plan on making this recipe for Super Bowl Sunday. I will let you know how they turn out.
LeAnn Bitler
I hope you love them, LeAnn! I can’t wait for your great review!
These are so gooood. My whole family likes them. My husband doesn’t even like wings and loved these.
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, L!
So I want to do this in my convection oven what do I change to make it work.
Hi Jennifer, The forced circulating hot air makes the skin super crisp, which is challenging to achieve in a conventional/ convection oven, and the center is perfectly cooked, tender, and juicy, but you can see the notes we have on the recipe under the section: “Can I Bake these in a traditional oven?” I hope this helps!
Sorry way too salty for me and my family so bummed. Definitely modify salt or in thus case the garlic salt.
Extra-virgin olive oil only has a smoke point of 375F. Both times that I made these wings according to your specs, my smoke alarm was set off. I have made sure my air fryer is clean and in a ventilated area, to no avail. I’m going to try it with cold-pressed canola oil next time, or maybe extra-virgin avocado oil, which have higher smoke points.
That’s odd. Mine does not do that. Maybe you had it too close to the burners? Also, make sure you are not using extra-virgin olive oil.
I spent a little extra when we bought our new stove and got the convection option. One less small appliance to find room for. It works great for crimping food.
Excellent! Haven’t been a fan of my air fryer but this recipe changed me. If I only use the fryer for these wings, family will be happy. Simple recipe but so tasty.
I’m so glad you loved it, Amy! Thank you for the wonderful review!
I am new to this. I have just received a 3.8 litre Air Fryer with an 8×8 basket. I guess it is a small Air Fryer. It was a gift. The temperature only goes up to 390. Do you think I could use this recipe. What do you suggest I do with the first batch when the second is cooking.
Hi Linda! That’s pretty close to 400 degrees! I bet that could still work! It may take slightly longer to air fry.
Hi Natasha, I have a microwave air fry oven. would this recipe work in it ?
Hi Carla, I don’t have any way to test that since my microwave doesn’t have that option. Sorry I can’t be more help with that question.
This is my go to recipe for lemon pepper wings in the airfryer. I eliminate the garlic salt and just use the lemon pepper seasoning. Too salty with the garlic salt!
Hello there, great to hear that this is now your go-to recipe. That’s right, just feel free to adjust any seasonings according to your preference.
I used the rotisserie basket and cooked the wings for 30 minutes. They turned out really good served with bleu cheese dressing for dipping. I will check out your other air fryer recipes as I get more familiar with using the fryer. Thank you!
Great to hear that the recipe was a success, Lori. Thank you for the review!
My new favourite wing recipe. I made this in my oven and baked the wings for 45 minutes. Actually I added a few more minutes since my wings weren’t quite thawed. I was nervous about the long baking time but trusted the recipe and they turned out nice and crispy!!
That’s so great! I’m happy you found a new favorite, Shana!
Made these, they were awesome. When they were done I tossed them in some Buffalo sauce. Guys love them while watching the games.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Brenda! I’m so happy you enjoyed that.
Wings turned out nice and crisp! They were a bit too salty. Would cut down on the garlic salt next time.
Thanks for your review, Kristen.
The air fryer
Chicken wing recipe is fantastic! Made them for the first time, turned out perfectly
Cooked and spiced!
Thanks for your review, Lisa. Glad you loved it!