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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
Lee
0What more can I say other than YUMMM! This has become my go to recipe for making keto friendly wings. Easy to prep, quick to cook, crispy and delicious.
Karen Beavers
0First time ever fixing wings in an air fryer. Absolutely excellent nice and crispy. Fryer fryer only went to 400 so I did the second fry for 25 minutes.
Cheryl
0Do you think this will work for frying fish too? Thanks.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Cheryl, Yes, I have an air fryer cod recipe.
Julie
0The wings turned out perfectly, moist in the inside and crunchy skin!
Cheryl
0These were amazing! Thank you so much.
Marc-André Pilon
0These ARE the most crispy wings i ever made. I made this recipe at least 5 times this month. Thank you so much for your help!
Jeannie
0Can you cook them from frozen?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Jeannie, Here is a recipe for Frozen Chicken Wings.
Al Vega
0I’m in the process of cooking them now. I know that these wings are going to be crispy & delicious!!
LT
0I just used this recipe as a base with wings last night. (Added different spices) It was fantastic and crispy to boot! My air fryer goes to 450, may try 430 next time just to see, but we scarfed them down. Thank you so much for testing and sharing!
Kandace
0Do you think you could add apple cider vinegar to the mixture the wings are tossed in? If so, how much would you use?
Savannah
0Marinate them overnight. I used buttermilk, pickle juice and spices.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Kandace, I have never added that to this recipe.
Scott Halpin
0Great recipe with one tweak we use aluminum free baking powder. Super crispy every time!
Winston F Reed
0Basically no air fryers that I have seen go as low as 250 degrees. Most start at 350.
Gina Oltman
0Mine goes to down 275. Cooked at 275 for 15 minutes then 425 for 30 minutes. Not crispy…going to go hotter next time.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Gina, Sorry to hear that! Mine always get crispy using this method, but they won’t if the air fryer basket is too crowded. Did you leave space between the wings?
Lynda
0How can you get 2 lbs of wings in a 7 quart airfryer? I have a 7 quart airfryer and 1 lb fills it up with a little bit of space between the wings…
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Linda, I currently have this air fryer and can fit 2 pounds of wings in it. The pictures in this post are an older one I had, but you can see pictures of the newer one in my air fryer frozen chicken wings post. It’s not a big deal if they don’t all fit in yours though, you can just air fry them in batches.
Josh
0Mine goes down to 225
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Winston, Here is the air fryer I recommend.
Judy
0Horrible! All I could taste was the baking powder – and I made to sure to use aluminum free baking powder! So disappointing.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Judy, Maybe you would be interested in my other air fryer chicken wing recipe.
Kenobiwan
0Absolutely delicious! I always add olive oil to coat, and a couple tablespoons (or more; to taste) of old bay, though you could sub Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, or any other spices you like. Add sauce after for delicious messiness. Don’t forget to air fry with foil because these are messy.
janice sanz
0BEST air fryer chicken wing recipe ever. We aren’t kids, but three seniors in this house. And I have been cooking for what seems like ever, so I’m very picky. Thanks a bunch!!
Patty
0Didn’t make yet but how do you do these with air fryer temp. In oven that is air fryer?
Kenobiwan
0I’ve made these a few times and I use an air fryer toaster oven. Foil over a pan bc they will get messy. You can probably get a similar result with a traditional basket air fryer but the toaster oven variants are superior in nearly every way except the space they take up. If your regular oven has an air fryer mode, use that. Basically the convection fan is what makes the magic.
You should be able to set your air fryer’s temp regardless of type. Start low, finish high. That’s a key to getting wings (or any thick or bone-in chicken) that is fully cooked but not burnt, while ensuring a nice crispy, roasty outer crust.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Patty, I’m not exactly sure what you are asking about the air fryer temperature…
Christina
0I made this tonight and my husband and I loved it!! The perfect crunch!
janice sanz
0This is a terrific way to make crisp, flavorful, chicken wings. They turned out better than any others I tried. And such a simple recipe. Can’t beat it. Thanks SO much!!
Linda K.
0CRISPY BUFFALO WINGS FOR THE WIN!
These wings are delicious. We loved that they were crispy without breading. I used buffalo sauce, but I may experiment with different sauces next time. My air fryer only goes up to 400 degrees. It worked out, though. I selected 400 for 20 minutes after flipping the wings and they were done. I’ll be searching Maya’s recipes for a similar thigh recipe next.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0So glad you liked them, Linda! I do also have a recipe for air fryer chicken thighs.
Debra
0When I made these, I had to change the temp to 300 degrees at first, then 425 degrees. They came out perfect. I also used 1.5 lbs of wings, not 2 lbs.