If you love chicken wings but don’t want to deal with deep frying, you should try making them in an air fryer. Air fryer chicken wings are the way to go. Not only is a healthier and easier way to cook crispy and juicy wings without using a lot of oil. Here are some tips on how to make air-fryer chicken wings:
- Choose fresh or thawed chicken wings. Frozen wings will take longer to cook and may not crisp up as well.
- Pat the wings dry with paper towels. This will help remove excess moisture and make the skin crispier.
- Season the wings with your favorite spices or rubs. You can use garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne, or any other seasonings you like. alternatively, You can also marinate the wings in a sauce for more flavor. (More Flavor inspirations below)
- Preheat your air fryer to 300°F. This will help the wings cook evenly and faster.
- Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd them or they will steam instead of fry. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Air fry the wings for 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. This will help render the fat and make the skin crispy.
- Increase the temperature to 400°F and air fry for another 20 to 25 minutes, flipping them halfway through. This will make the wings golden brown and cooked through. You can check the internal temperature of the wings with a meat thermometer. It should reach at least 165°F.
- Toss the wings with your favorite sauce or serve them plain. You can use buffalo sauce, barbecue sauce, honey garlic sauce, teriyaki sauce, or any other sauce you like. You can also serve them with ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, celery sticks, or carrot sticks.
Flavor Variations:
- Buffalo
- Barbecue
- Miso
- Sesame
- Lemon pepper
- Garlic parmesan
- Teriyaki
- Honey mustard
- Jerk
- Korean fried chicken
Enjoy your air-fryer chicken wings!
What type of Air Fryer should I use for this recipe?
If you like using the air fryer as much as I do, checkout these other Air Fryer ideas:
According to some chefs and recipes, some of the most popular things to air fry are:
- French fries: These are the classic crispy and fluffy potato sticks that can be seasoned with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, or any other spice you like. They use much less oil than deep-frying and cook faster than baking.
- Brussels sprouts: These are the mini cabbages that can be transformed into a delicious side dish with some olive oil, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese. They get charred and caramelized in the air fryer in no time.
- Cauliflower tots: These are the low-carb and veggie-packed alternatives to tater tots that can be made with grated cauliflower, cheese, eggs, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. They get crunchy and golden in the air fryer without any frying.
- Bagels: These are the chewy and doughy rings that can be topped with cream cheese, lox, eggs, or anything else you like. They can be made with a simple dough of flour, yogurt, baking powder, and salt and then air fried until puffy and crackly.
- Fish and chips: These are the classic British pub fare that can be made healthier and easier in the air fryer. You can coat the fish fillets with a batter of flour, egg, beer, and seasonings and then air fry them until flaky and crispy. You can also make the chips in the air fryer with some oil and salt.
- Gnocchi: These are the soft and pillowy potato dumplings that can be tossed with your favorite sauce or pesto. You can also air fry them until they become crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside for a different texture and flavor.
- Crunchy chickpeas: These are the protein-packed snacks that can be seasoned with any spices you like, from cumin to curry to chili powder. They get crunchy and nutty in the air fryer and make a great addition to salads or bowls.
- Steak: This may sound surprising, but you can actually make a juicy and flavorful steak in the air fryer. You just need to season the steak well with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and rosemary and then air fry it for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. You can also make a pan sauce with the drippings for extra flavor.
- Bacon: This is another meat that can be cooked perfectly in the air fryer without any splatter or mess. You just need to lay the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook them for about 10 minutes, depending on how crispy you like them. You can also save the rendered fat for other uses.
- Chicken nuggets: These are the kid-friendly bites that can be made with chicken breast, egg, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. They get crispy and tender in the air fryer without any frying or oil. You can also make your own dipping sauces to go with them.