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The Crispy Skin On These Air Fryer Chicken Wings Blew Me Away
These air fryer chicken wings were actually one of the first air fryer recipes I ever cooked. And they blew me away so much that I was completely hooked on this appliance ever since. Here’s why they seriously renewed my love for wings:
- The crispiest skin you’ll ever have – I only like chicken wings when they are crisp, otherwise they’re not even worth it. That crispy skin is my top priority whenever I make them, whether it’s baked chicken wings or slow cooker chicken wings. But cooking wings in the air fryer? It beats all the other methods in crispness by a landslide.
- Juicy, flavorful, and tender inside – The crispy skin might be the best part, but let’s not forget about the inside. These wings come out super juicy.
- Just a few simple ingredients – You can certainly jazz them up with spices and sauces (see my variations below), but when I’m in a rush, I love a simple recipe with as few ingredients as possible.
- Fast and easy – These air fryer wings only need a few minutes of your hands-on time, and cook much faster than the oven. I usually prepare my side dish (or other appetizers if I’m going that direction) while they cook.
I love these crispy air fryer chicken wings for game day or when we’re hosting a party, but let’s be real, I’d recommend them for any day. Make them with me!
Reader Review
“Easy to prepare and delicious results! This is now the only chicken wings recipe I use.” –Cristine
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Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for making air fryer chicken wings crispy, what each one does in my recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- Chicken Wings – I buy them already trimmed into wingettes and drumettes. Feel free to separate whole chicken wings at the joint yourself if you like.
- Olive Oil – Although the air fryer doesn’t require as much oil, I always add some for flavor and extra crispness. Avocado oil works, too. That being said, I tested this recipe without oil as well, and yes, you can skip it if you want to.
- Baking Powder – My surprising “secret” ingredient for the crispiest air fryer chicken wings! It soaks up extra moisture, helping to dry the skin. Be careful not to use baking soda, which won’t work and will leave an aftertaste. (I grabbed it by mistake once and that was, um, not a good experience!) Also, I’ve found aluminum-free baking powder works best to avoid any metallic taste.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper – If you want a more flavorful seasoning, see my variations below.
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How To Cook Chicken Wings In The Air Fryer
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- Dry and season. Pat the chicken wings very dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Place them in a large bowl and toss with baking powder, oil, salt, and pepper. I find tongs helpful for mixing easily.
- Air fry wings at lower heat first. Arrange the chicken wings in the air fryer basket, in a single layer. Air fry for half the time at lower heat (see my times and temperatures below).
- Crank up the heat to get them crispy. Flip the wings over, increase the air fryer temperature, and continue air frying until crispy.
My Recipe Tips For Crispy Skin
- Bring the chicken to room temperature if you have time. This is not required, but I noticed that letting them sit out for 20-30 minutes before cooking helps them cook more evenly.
- Drying the skin is key. Moisture is the enemy of crispy skin, so patting dry with paper towels helps you achieve maximum crispiness. I actually do this with all my chicken recipes, even ones without skin, because it also (somewhat counterintuitively) helps lock moisture inside.
- The baking powder is crucial. This is my main trick for extra crispy skin! Don’t skip it.
- The right salt ratio is most important for flavor. While you can customize spices any way you like, I feel strongly about the salt! My rule of thumb is a teaspoon of salt per pound of any meat, but since chicken wings are mostly bones, I use about 1/4 to 1/2 that amount. If you use my air fryer chicken wings recipe and want to scale it, the amount on the recipe card will update for you!
- Don’t crowd the air fryer basket. This ensures that the air can flow through and crisp up the skin. It’s okay if the wings touch a little, but try not to have their entire sides touching. Cook in batches if needed!
- My air fryer recommendations: I have and love this air fryer. The pictures above are from an older one I used to have, but I like this new one so much better because I can fit more wings in it. If you want to make an even bigger batch at once, this version has a space for two racks. I keep it in storage and pull it out when we have company to make larger batches!
- Checking internal temperature is optional. I almost never say this, but air fryer chicken wings are pretty much guaranteed to be done by the time they get crispy. If you want to check, though, aim for 165 degrees F with a meat thermometer.
- Why change the temperature part-way through? Starting at lower heat makes the meat super juicy, and increasing the heat later gets them extra crispy. It’s the best of both worlds! I’ve tested starting out at high heat, as well as several temperature combos, and in my experience the two-temp approach I use in this recipe turned out the best.
- Can you cook them from frozen? Yes, you just need a special method! Follow my recipe for air fryer frozen chicken wings.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Super Crispy)
By
Make extra crispy air fryer chicken wings with my easy recipe! These turn out crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside every time.
Instructions
[ See step photos See my tips ]Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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Pat the chicken wings very dry with paper towels. (This will help them get crispy.)
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In a large bowl, toss the wings with baking powder, olive oil, sea salt and black pepper.
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Place the chicken wings in the air fryer in a single layer, without touching too much. (Cook in batches if they don't fit.)
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Air fry chicken wings for 15 minutes at 250 degrees F.
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Flip the wings over. Increase the air fryer temperature to 400 degrees F. Air fry for 15-20 minutes, until chicken wings are done and crispy.
Did you make it? Leave a review or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 4-6 chicken wings, or 1/4 of the entire recipe
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get super crispy air fryer chicken wings every time, with a juicy inside.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat: The best way is to reheat wings in the air fryer again! Somehow even after doing it a gazillion times, I’m still always amazed at how they turn out almost like they were cooked fresh. Just air fry for a few minutes at 350 degrees F, until hot and crispy.
- Freeze: Arrange the wings in a single layer on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a zip lock bag and keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can reheat right from frozen, although the result is better if you thaw first.
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I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Seasoning Variations
Air fryer chicken wings are flavorful all on their own, but below are some of my favorite sauces and seasonings. Just don’t skip the baking powder — it’s a must for crispy skin!
- Simple Spices – When I want to level up these air fryer wings in a simple way, I just add garlic powder and paprika in addition to the salt and pepper. Takes all of 5 seconds.
- Lemon Pepper – I love homemade lemon pepper seasoning, but store-bought is just fine. These taste just like my baked lemon pepper wings, but crispier!
- Buffalo – Cook the crispy wings in the air fryer as usual, and finish by tossing in a mixture of butter and buffalo sauce (or any other hot sauce you love). My buffalo wings recipe has the perfect ratio! I also use the same sauce for my air fryer buffalo cauliflower.
- Cajun – I use Cajun seasoning less often because my kids can’t take the heat, but my husband loves it! You’ll need to skip the salt if your seasoning is salted like mine.
- Garlic Parmesan – Cook the wings as usual and toward the end, toss in the sauce from my Crock Pot garlic parmesan wings. I like to also add some Italian seasoning with this one.
Serving Ideas
I’ve served these crispy air fryer chicken wings for many kinds of occasions, from an appetizer at parties to the main dish at dinner (why not?). Try them with:
- Dipping Sauce – If nothing else, I have to have sauce! I serve my air fryer chicken wings with blue cheese or ranch dressing (pictured above) most often. If you want some sweetness, try my teriyaki sauce, BBQ sauce, or even jalapeno honey (that’s what I’m using in my picture in the circle at the top).
- Crudites – Carrots and celery sticks are classic, but I’ve totally made these wings a busy-night “girl dinner” with cucumbers, radishes, or bell pepper strips.
- Air Fryer Veggies – Make your entire meal using one appliance by pairing my air fryer wings recipe with air fryer eggplant, air fryer brussel sprouts, or air fryer zucchini.
- Fries – Make some air fryer french fries, or try my lighter rutabaga fries or air fryer sweet potato fries. Sometimes I even make a combination!
- Other Apps – For a party, I like to make a spread with a dip, such as Rotel dip or spinach dip, and a bite-sized appetizer, like zucchini pizza bites or Caprese skewers.
344 Comments
Michele
0This are the wings I’ve been hunting for! Delicious and so very easy to make. My son begged me to make them again tonight, and he’s a supremely picky eater.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I’m so glad to hear that, Michele! Always such a win when the picky eaters ask for them again. 🙂
Carlo
0I followed this recipe to a tee for eight guests last night. I do not have an air fryer but my oven has an air fryer setting which I used. Doubled the recipe as I had over 4 lb of chicken wings. They turned out fantastic!
This is definitely a keeper that will be repeated.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you so much, Carlo! Glad to hear the oven with air fryer setting worked for you.
K. Palmer
0This is the best chicken wing recipe that I have found! Very nice and crisp but juicy on the inside. Being from Buffalo originally, I have tried many recipes and this is the closest ever to deep fried! I have wings every week so this is perfect! Thank you for sharing!
Judy
0I will cook the wings this way from now on… delicious.
Rhonda Winchester
0I have made this recipe twice now, and it is quickly becoming a weekend favorite! My air fryer tops out at 400 degrees, so I just do the second part at 400 for 22 minutes. I also add 1/2 tsp of paprika and garlic powder to the other seasonings, add the dry ingredients to a gallon baggie and shake to mix, then the oil and wings and shake it all up again before air frying. Served with a side of ranch dressing and buffalo sauce. Delicious!
Dee
0Baking soda and baking powder have the same bitter taste if you use too much. The better option is corn starch. Leaves no bitter taste if you use too much. I use when I make korean bbq. Comes out crispy and very juicy. I especially like to put it in ground beef or chicken it retains the water making it very juicy not dry.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Dee, If you use too much maybe, but in this recipe I don’t find that to be the case. Feel free to use cornstarch if you prefer.
Bob
0The wings come out very crispy and juice a great recipe, we Love it. The Becks Dover Pa
Jeremy C
0Flats – My Ninja starts at 300 so 12 min to start and it tops out at 400 so 26 minutes to finish. PERFECT CRISPY BITES OF HEAVEN! Only thing I did, and yours were perfect the way they were, I threw lemon pepper instead of S&P! Wish I could post the picture!!!
Drums are next!!!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0So glad you like them, Jeremy! Lemon pepper sounds delicious for seasoning these air fryer wings! I don’t have a way for readers to upload pictures here right now, but you can post it on Instagram or Facebook and tag me @wholesomeyum. 🙂
Janice Sanz
0Truly great recipe. I now use it every time I make wings!! Thanks
Dawn
0Cooking now. My air fryer only goes up to 400. Doing it in 3 batches for 4 lbs of wings. May need to start the second batch a little higher to make up for it, but we’ll see how the first batch turns out. Excited to try this!
Marie
0Best air fryer chicken wings I have ever had. Your recipe is spot on. Crispy and moist, just delicious. Thank you so much!
Maribeth
0I have used so many great online recipes, but have NEVER left a rating or comment, but I am compelled to thank you for this. Easy recipe, easy clean up, and Delicious! Crispy and juicy just a promised. In the words of my teenager son, “are there any more?” LOL. Thank you again.
MBW
John Habart
0First time I’ve ever cooked raw chicken wings and they turned out better than I could have hoped for using your recipe. I usually buy the precooked frozen wings, but these are better than any of those, and about 60% of the cost. I added a little cayenne to the mix for a little kick.
Penny Rine
0This recipe sounds easy and delicious. I’m going to give it a try tonight. Thanks for the recipe ?
Dianne
0What level middle or bottom for wings. Toaster oven
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Dianne, I have never made these in a toaster oven.
Mary Ann
0I made them twice now.
And they are Definitely Delicious!*****
Tracey
0I have been using this recipe for a while and produces nice and crispy results every time. I change up the seasoning sometimes but works great.
Becky Nilan
0Made this recipe for the first time tonight and is now my go to recipe for wings. It was as advertised. Crisp and delicious
Susan
0Very crispy and tasty!
maureen robbins
0Kudos! I love wings. Rarely can I get just “plain, crispy, dry” wings. Crispy is the key. I frequently make these wings. And I mean frequently! I might grow wings myself. Not by choice…
Kimberly
0Maya, I have been making so many of your wonderful recipes. This air fryer chicken wing recipe made the best crispy wings I have ever made! I am making a 5 pound batch again today. Thanks so much for all of your recipes. You make Keto so easy!