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
Can I add baking powder to this? I loved your recipe for the oven baked one that included baking powder and wondering if I can use baking powder with the air fryer recipe?
Hi Suzie, I have not tested that but I read from one of our readers that they added baking powder and liked the result!
Natasha,
I have added baking powder (not baking soda) to my wings. The baking powder makes the skin crispier. Then you can season them Buffalo style or other sauces. I’m pleased with the results.
That’s great to hear, Joe! Thank you for sharing.
Natasha,
I have chicken legs, any idea for timing?
Same recipe is ok?
Hi BB! I haven’t tested them in the air fryer to advise on the time. This is one of our go-to chicken leg recipes HERE. You’ll have to experiment with it. They take longer to cook than breast meat and wings and you’ll have to cook them until they reach an internal temperature of 170 degrees F.
I thought you has recipe that used baking powder on the wings.
Hi Gayle! That would be my buffalo wings recipe HERE. 🙂
I made these following the recipe. I have the same air fryer. I found them too salty for me and will reduce the garlic salt in the future. I use a separate timer and I would also add two more minutes to get fall of the bone chicken.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Richard!
Will definitely try. Love all your recipes. I have a traditional oven with a built in air fry feature. I th7nk it takes a little longer. Heard about trucks with these ovens?
It depends on your oven/air fryer. It might take a little longer, I suggest checking it before adding more time.
Delicious & so easy followed your recipe and wouldn’t change anything. Thank you for sharing.
You are very welcome! So glad you enjoyed it.
Omitted the garlic salt for garlic powder since it’s what I had. Loved them.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us. Sylvie!
I love the simplicity of this wing recipe and how juicy they turned out. Next time I would use garlic powder or at least 1/2 of the garlic salt and I’ll have to figure out how to make them crispy – it’s an older air-fryer, maybe I just need to raise the temperature or raise the rack I cooked them on.Sorry about the babbling lol
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Vicky!
Hi, Natasha, I absolutely love all your recipes and look forward to seeing more. I do have a question about the nutrition information. Why do they not show the carbs any more? I’m diabetic and that is extremely important information.
I’m happy to know that you’re enjoying them, Candy. I’m not able to include all the nutritional benefits because of the time constraint I have but when I need a quick answer though; I have used Calorie Count website (their recipe analyzer is free).
I have an oven with regular bake setting, convection setting and an air fryer setting. Hoping to try this with the air fryer setting, since hubby has a heart condition, loves wings, and I can use salt free seasonings. . Fingers crossed I can make it work!
Hi Peggy! This will work with the air fry setting but it will take a little longer and may not be quite as crisp. I hope you love the recipe!
I made these in the air fryer as directed and they turned out perfect! My husband loved them. Thank you for sharing the recipe!
I’m so glad you both enjoyed it, Sarah! Thank you so much for sharing that great review with me.
Made this as written and then added your Buffalo sauce mixture. Perfect and crispy! I used Costco wings and did two batches.
Thank you for following the recipe as written and for using our buffalo sauce. Great to hear that you liked it!
My gourmia air fryer has many choices such as ROAST, FRIES, BROIL, DEHYDRATE, BACON, AIR FRY, and WINGS.
What one do I use for chicken wings.
Do I cook a roast on “roast” or “air fry”
Hi Sheila! I am not familiar with that brand. I assume it would be the air fry mode, I am not sure what the “wings” setting is. You may want to check the user guide or website for clarification.
I have the Gourmia basket and I do pretty much everything on air fry and my chicken always turns out amazing. Same with baked potatoes and so on.
I too used garlic powder and it turned out great. Maybe the people who aren’t getting crispy wings have them too close together in the air fryer. I have a very small one (for the two of us) and had to do four batches for 2 pounds. Just takes some patience, but worth it!
Hi Kelly, I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe! I think you’re right about the spacing, and it’s similar to crowding meat in a pan. Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Thank you for this fast, easy & delicious recipe! My family raved over these, and although I’ve never really cared for chicken wings, I couldn’t stop eating them. We’ll be enjoying these on a regular basis!
Shelley
You’re so welcome, Shelley! I hope your family will love all the recipes that you will try.
I cooked mine for 25 minutes at 420 degrees. They got done but never got crispy.
Hi CD! I’m sorry to hear that. I have had good results with baking them at 400˚F for 8 minutes per side. I would be more than happy to help troubleshoot. Did you use an air fryer or the air fryer mode on your large oven? If you are using the air fryer mode on your oven, they will take longer to crisp up. Did you double or increase the recipe? If so, they will also take longer to crisp up. Lastly, make sure to pat them dry to remove any excess moisture. I hope that helps.
I’m making these now and my chicken was still raw after 8 minutes. I’m thinking I have a crappy air fryer. 😕
Just to be sure – it’s (at least) 8 minutes PER SIDE if it’s in an actual air fryer. If in an oven on an “air fryer setting” then it may be longer.
Thank you Natasha for giving more opportunities with air fryer recipes now .I have been following you for years and my family love all the recipes I tried. This chicken wings taste amazing with no mess and very quick. We enjoyed a lot.
Hi Anila! I’m so glad to hear that. Thank you for sharing.
These wings are seriously some of the best wings Ive ever had (and I’m kind of a wing snob!). We w do take wings anymore. These are healthier and easier on your pocket! Just two tips…
Buy a high quality wing (we get fresh air chilled from Costco).
Also, i have an extra large basket air fryer ….I cook for 22 mins total time (flipping half way through) and I have to make two batches but well worth the wait.
Thank you for the wonderful feedback!
Very good. We both loved but following a commenters advice and doing with garlic powder next time instead of garlic salt. Thanks for sharing with us!
You’re so welcome! We’re happy to know that you enjoyed this recipe!
Best wings I’ve ever attempted to air fry. So flavorful and just came out perfect. Easy peasey to prep and make. Thank you next wing try is your Buffalo wing air fryer recipe. So far your my ROCKSTAR. Easy and tasty recipes.
So glad you loved them, Debbie! Thank you.