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
Excellent thanks for sharing!! Crispy and good but I would lighten up on seasoning next time because it was too salty for my taste.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Michelle!
Thanks for the recipe, at the end, I tossed my homemade sauce on them. My son said they are better than the ones at the sports bar.
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Jim!
Mine didn’t brown, but Overall the wings were still delicious and the seasoning was perfect!
I’m so happy to hear that, Terri! Thank you so much for sharing that with me!
Hit there , I used my Instapot duo + air fryer and I did not get the crispness. The wings were still soft and didn’t brown. Could it be the instapot air fryer needs different time setting? Or maybe I crowded the basket?
Hi Terri, I haven’t tried it in the duo, and if it is different than a standard Air fryer, that could be the culprit. I recommend looking into the instructions manual to see if they advise any different settings.
For those people who have an air-fryer oven in a full size oven/stove combo, I have one also, mine has a preset to heat the air-fryer @425 degrees which takes about 5 minutes I have learned that 20 – 25 minutes with a turn halfway will cook just about everything JUST RIGHT. If you experiment and write down how long it takes for fish fillets, chicken, burgers, etc. the 425 temp is good it’s time that you’ll learn.
Over the last year with trial and error I have ours pretty much solved.
In fact the nice thing about an air-fryer oven that size is I can cook 2 large trays of something if I need a lot, or I can put chicken wings on one shelf and a tray of french fries on the second shelf.
Thank you so much for sharing that with us!
Hi! Thanks for the recipe! I have a setting on my oven for “airfry” I have experimented a few times with the time. The best for me is 400 for 35 min. flip and 35. min longer. My Hubby Loves Them! Thank you!!
Thank you for sharing that with us, Shelly! I’m so glad it was enjoyed.
I am doing these tonight. Not my first time, we love them. I sauce them with Guy Fieri’s Burbon brown sugar BBQ sauce for the last 4 minutes, YUMMY. 😎
Sounds delicious!
So good!! I only made chicken wings for the second time tonight following the first time in the oven last week. These were delicious in my air fryer. I don’t know why I’ve always hesitated using 400° temperature but it really did a great job. The wings were super crispy on the outside and juicy tender on the inside. Who knew wings could be so good and so simple. And ready quickly! Thank you very much.
You’re welcome and I’m happy that you loved this recipe!
I have the ninja foodi 10 in 1 digital air fryer oven pro and was wondering if the air fryer time and temperature in the recipe will work as it was posted
Hi Charlie, I have not used a one to know the difference but based on what I’ve researched, I think so.
I have the same air fryer and every recipe I try I always wonder the same thing. So far I’ve followed them all as posted with success.
I’ve used this recipe with variation a couple of times. For me best success is drying with paper towel, put them seasons on without the oil yet and let sit in fridge for about 20 minutes. This pulls more moisture from the skin. Pat dry, spritz (don’t toss) in olive oil. They will come out crispy and if you want to add a wing sauce do so with about 5 minutes to cook, toss and eat.
Thanks for sharing, Vincent.
i’m really exited to make this!! when you cook chicken with skin, does oil splatter everywhere? i have the same model and my oven is so dirty and the oven always starts to smoke because the oil splatters on the coils. any tips? thanks in advance!
Hi Elaine! I don’t really have this problem but I supposed you could try to place a piece of parchment paper over to help reduce splatter.
I have used so many of yourr recipes and love everyone of them. Most are so simple, but yet so delicious. I love watching your videos, your are funny and fantastic chef. Don
Thank you, Don! I’m so glad to hear that.
I make these wings every Monday in my Kalorick air fryer and they turn out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Thank you for this recipe awesome!
You’re very welcome, Sandra! 🙂
Can I cook from frozen?
Also, can I just salt or garlic salt and toss in Buffalo sauce or bbq?
Hi Karen. I think it could work but I have not tested this to provide instructions. You’d have to experiment with it.
I make Chicken Thighs under the broiler in our oven with lemon pepper and garlic salt on them. If fresh or completely dethawed i cook them three to four times on 10 minutes flipping them over every other time. The skin is crispy and the meat is tender. My kids call it “Skin Chicken”. We love it! The fat cooks out of the skin. Its very good to make in the Summertime.
Just bought a chefman and tried your wings…still cooking and on my 2nd 16 mins at 400….so not working all that great – the air fryer or me??? Right now the only advantage of the air fryer in this heat is my oven is not on. Overall I’d say I’m disappinted in the air fryer.
Hi Jane, It’s hard to say without being there. I recommend ensuring your air fryer is working correctly and heating to the right temperature.
Mine took the regular 25 min on my Gourma air fryer. They are very good though! With it being 31 Celsius here today, it’s perfect to not heat up my oven.
I bought a samsung oven and it has air fryer on it never used it as it is a regular oven will this recipe work in there? I got rid of my airfryer it took up to much room..and then when I got a new oven I saw it had air fryer on it…anybody try it?
Hi Jody! It is more difficult to achieve the same level of crispiness, you may have to bake them longer.
I made the air fryer chicken wings last night…..I love em!!!! But, they didn’t get all over crispy. Would it help if I use less oil?
Hi Tricia, did you skip any steps or make any substitutions? It is important to thoroughly pat dry chicken wings with paper towels. Also, be sure to use the basket in the air fryer so that the air circulates well. I hope that helps.
Perfect wings, I did modify a Tony bit. We are not a fan of lemon pepper, so omitted that. I cooked an additional 10 minutes due to my specific airfryer. I then tossed in my favorite Buffalo sauce, perfect wings
Sounds good, Angie! Happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe.
These turned out nice. I did back off on the seasoning for the second pound. We found them a bit salty with the spices all in. Cheers Natasha.
Hi Adrian, feel free to lessen some of the spices according to your preference.
Well, this recipe is a keeper! Made these wings today in my Cuisinart air fryer, and they turned out perfect. My husband loved them, too. Thanks for a great recipe.
I’m so happy it was a hit, Connie! That’s so great! Thank you for sharing that with me!