Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Extra Crispy!)
Do you love crispy, flavorful wings but want to avoid the extra calories from deep frying? Air Fryer Chicken Wings are for you! This recipe not only delivers on taste but also simplicity, making it a perfect choice for both novice and experienced cooks. Enjoy wings that are just as delicious as restaurant-style ones but with the ease and health benefits of home cooking.
Why You Will Love Making This Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe
If you’re a fan of chicken wings but looking for a healthier, hassle-free method, then air frying is the way to go. Here’s why you’ll absolutely love making air fryer chicken wings:
- Healthier Option: By using an air fryer, you’re cutting down on the oil and calories compared to traditional deep frying, without sacrificing that irresistible crunch.
- Quick and Convenient: Air frying wings is faster than oven baking and doesn’t require preheating a large oven. Perfect for a quick snack or a busy weeknight dinner.
- Crispy Perfection: Expect evenly cooked, perfectly crispy wings every time, thanks to the air fryer’s excellent heat circulation.
- Easy Cleanup: One of the best parts? Less mess! The air fryer basket is typically non-stick and dishwasher safe, making your post-cooking cleanup a breeze.
- Make Them Your Own: Experiment with different spices and sauces – the air fryer does a great job of cooking up whatever flavor combination you’re craving.
- Perfect for Gatherings: Whether it’s game day or a family get-together, these wings are sure to be a hit with your guests.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make the BEST Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Whipping up a batch of air fryer chicken wings is so easy. Here’s how you can get those perfectly crispy wings in no time:
Preparing Your Air Fryer
Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. This step is crucial for getting that crispy texture right from the start.
Seasoning the Wings
In a large bowl, add the chicken wings along with a good pinch of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and mixed herbs. Drizzle the avocado oil over the wings and toss them well, ensuring each wing is evenly coated with the seasoning.
Arranging the Wings in the Air Fryer
Carefully arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Remember, overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking, so you might need to cook in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
Cooking Wings in an Air Fryer
Place the basket in the preheated air fryer and cook the wings at 400°F (200°C) for 15-17 minutes. Flip the wings halfway through the cooking time to make sure they get crispy and golden brown all over.
Serving Your Wings
Once they’re cooked to crispy perfection, let the wings rest for a few minutes before serving. This brief resting time helps them stay juicy inside while keeping the outside wonderfully crispy.
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
To make sure your air fryer chicken wings are absolutely top-notch, here are some tips and tricks that can take your wing game to the next level:
- Pat Wings Dry: Before seasoning, pat the wings dry with a paper towel. This helps to remove excess moisture, ensuring they get really crispy.
- Don’t Skip the Oil: Even though we’re air frying, a bit of oil is key. It helps the seasoning stick and contributes to the crispy texture. Avocado oil is great due to its high smoke point. To use a little less, try a cooking spray. For extra flavor, replace half of the oil with melted butter and mix them together.
- Single Layer: Avoid stacking the wings in the air fryer. As with any air fryer recipe, cooking them in a single layer ensures even cooking and crispiness.
- Flip Halfway Through: Flipping the wings halfway through cooking helps every part of the wing have a chance to crisp up beautifully. Don’t skip this step!
- Temperature and Timing: To begin, stick to the 400°F (200°C) temperature and the 15-17 minutes cooking time. Keep in mind, however, that cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken wings and the model of your air fryer. Adjust as needed.
- Seasoning Variations: Feel free to experiment with different spices and ingredients like cayenne pepper, onion powder, lemon pepper for lemon pepper wings, or even a buffalo sauce after cooking for some variety.
- Can I cook frozen chicken wings in the air fryer? Absolutely! Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. No need to thaw them first.
How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Got some leftovers? Lucky you! Here’s how you can store them to maintain their deliciousness for later enjoyment:
- Cool and Airtight: Allow the chicken wings to cool to room temperature and then place the cooled wings in an airtight container.
- Refrigerate or Freeze: You can keep the wings in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you want to store them for longer, freeze them. They can last in the freezer for up to a month.
- Reheating Tips: To reheat, simply pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes until they’re heated through and crispy again. If they’re frozen, let them thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Our Top 3 Money-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Everyone loves to save a bit of cash, especially when it comes to delicious meals like air fryer chicken wings. Here are three money-saving tips to keep in mind:
- Buy Wings in Bulk: Often, buying chicken wings in larger quantities can save you money. You can store the extra wings in the freezer for future use.
- DIY Your Seasonings: Instead of buying pre-made seasoning mixes, make your own with spices you likely already have in your kitchen. It’s cheaper and you can customize the flavors to your liking.
- Skip the Pre-Made Sauces: Making your own sauces, like buffalo or BBQ, can be more cost-effective and healthier. Plus, homemade sauces can be tailored to your taste preference, and you can make them in batches for future use.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Deciding what to serve with your crispy air fryer chicken wings can be just as fun as making them. Here are some great ideas that complement the wings perfectly:
Fresh Veggies and Dips
Nothing beats the classic combo of celery sticks and carrot sticks with a side of blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing. It’s a refreshing contrast to the savory wings and adds a nice crunch. As for dips, wings themselves can also be dipped into hot sauce, barbeque sauce, chipotle sauce, or ketchup for a little extra heat or sweetness.
Homemade Coleslaw
A tangy, creamy coleslaw can be a fantastic side to balance the rich flavors of the chicken wings. Plus, it’s super quick and easy to whip up!
Loaded Potato Skins
If you’re feeling a bit more indulgent, loaded potato skins with cheese, bacon, and a dollop of sour cream can be a hearty addition to your wing feast.
More Air Fryer Recipes You Will Love
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Air Fryer Homemade Fries
- Tuna Casserole
- Cheeseburger Casserole
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Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Extra Crispy!)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon mixed herbs
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil or any high-smoke-point oil
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Add the chicken wings to a large bowl then add salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and mixed herbs.2 pounds chicken wings, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon mixed herbs
- Drizzle the avocado oil over the chicken wings and toss to ensure they are coated evenly.2 tablespoons avocado oil
- Once preheated, arrange the chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook the wings in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Place the air fryer basket in the preheated air fryer and cook the chicken wings at 400°F (200°C) for 15-17 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. The chicken wings should be crispy and golden brown.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken wings from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve and enjoy your air fryer chicken wings!
Notes
- Pat Wings Dry: Before seasoning, pat the wings dry with a paper towel. This helps to remove excess moisture, ensuring they get really crispy.
- Don’t Skip the Oil: Oil helps the seasoning stick and contributes to the crispy texture. Avocado oil is great due to its high smoke point. To use a little less, try a cooking spray. For extra flavor, replace half of the oil with melted butter and mix them together.
- Single Layer: Avoid stacking the wings in the air fryer. As with any air fryer recipe, cooking them in a single layer ensures even cooking and crispiness.
- Flip Halfway Through: Flipping the wings halfway through cooking helps every part of the wing have a chance to crisp up beautifully.
- Temperature and Timing: To begin, stick to the 400°F (200°C) temperature and the 15-17 minutes cooking time. Keep in mind, however, that cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken wings and the model of your air fryer. Adjust as needed.
- Seasoning Variations: Feel free to experiment with different spices and ingredients like cayenne pepper, onion powder, lemon pepper for lemon pepper wings, or even a buffalo sauce after cooking for some variety.
- Can I cook frozen chicken wings in the air fryer? Absolutely! Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. No need to thaw them first.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Cool and Airtight: Allow the chicken wings to cool to room temperature and then place the cooled wings in an airtight container.
- Refrigerate or Freeze: You can keep the wings in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you want to store them for longer, freeze them. They can last in the freezer for up to a month.
- Reheating Tips: To reheat, simply pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes until they’re heated through and crispy again. If they’re frozen, let them thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
