This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
I have made these crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings so many times I can almost do it with my eyes closed. They’re the perfect wings with the best blend of seasonings and a homemade buffalo sauce that will make everyone crave second and third helpings!
“Best wings ever!! Just made them to have watching super bowl. So crispy and awesome taste! Thank you for sharing this recipe!” – Barb
Why I Love This Recipe
First, there is no need for hot oil because you are making this a healthier version, and it’s cooked with hot air.
Second, you’ll still have delicious wings without all of the extra fats and calories from oil.
If you’ve never made a batch of homemade wings in your air fryer, you are in for a treat. These crispy chicken wings are second to none and you’ll never want to order them from a restaurant again. It’s the perfect appetizer or quick weeknight dinner.
If you love air fryer chicken like I do, you may also enjoy these naked air fryer chicken tenders. They are full of flavor and don’t have any breading.
Table of contents
We are going to go over all of our favorite tips and tricks to show you how to make the best chicken wings in the air fryer. Skip the grill and the oven, these are the best!
What you’ll need to make Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer.
- Air Fryer – I love to use the Cosori air fryer
- Favorite Wing Sauce – I’m a Louisiana girl, so I love to use a base hot wing sauce with either Tabasco or Louisiana Hot Sauce
- Others – Silicone pad, nonstick cooking spray, or olive oil
Ingredients for Crispy Air Fryer Wings
- 12 whole wings – once you’ve cut these up you’ll have 24 wings
- favorite sauce – I love to make my own homemade sauce with a little cayenne pepper, butter, and hot sauce
- garlic powder – adds a little additional flavor to the wings
- olive oil – I always coat the wings in a little oil before adding any additional seasonings.
- baking powder – coating wings with baking powder helps to achieve a crispy texture. Baking powder raises the pH level of the skin, promoting browning and crispiness.
- salt – to taste
- pepper – to taste
Variations
- Classic Buffalo – Toss cooked wings in buffalo sauce made from melted butter and hot sauce.
- Garlic Parmesan – Mix melted butter, minced garlic, and grated parmesan cheese for a savory twist.
- Sweet and Spicy – Drizzle wings with a mix of honey and sriracha or hot honey after cooking for a sweet heat.
- Lemon Pepper – Combine lemon zest with cracked black pepper and a touch of melted butter or oil after air frying.
- Asian-Inspired – Toss in a mix of soy sauce, sesame oil, and a pinch of brown sugar for a sticky, umami-rich glaze.
How to Make Chicken Wings in Air Fryer
Step 1: Cut the wings into pieces so that you have 24 wings.
Step 2: Place the wings in a large bowl and add olive oil, garlic powder, and baking powder. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate, then allow the wings to marinate for 30 minutes.
Step 3: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/ 200°C for 4 minutes. Prepare the air fryer basket if needed after preheating.
Step 4: Add the seasoned wings into the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Step 5: Air Fry Wings at 400°F/ 200°C for 20 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through. Add an additional 2 minutes for extra crispy skin. Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure the inside internal temperature is 165 degrees F.
Step 6: Carefully remove the air fryer wings from the air fryer, toss in your favorite sauce, and serve with your favorite sides.
These are seriously the best air fryer chicken wings, and they’re so easy to make with simple ingredients.
NOTE: This recipe was made using the Cosori Air Fryer. If you’re using a different air fryer, you may need to adjust your cooking time accordingly. Smaller wings will cook faster than larger wings.
Pro Tips to Make Crispy Wings in the Air Fryer
- Marinate or Dry Brine for Flavor: Marinate your wings for at least 30 minutes, or dry brine them with salt overnight. Both methods help infuse deep flavor and improve texture.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Always preheat your air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes before adding the wings. This ensures even cooking and a crispier finish.
- Pat dry: Use paper towels to pat the chicken wings dry before getting started.
- Incorporate Baking Powder – Add a small amount of baking powder to your seasoning mix. It helps draw moisture to the surface, leading to irresistibly crispy skin.
- Single layer: Keep the wings in a single layer with a little room between them so they cook evenly and the skin can get crispy.
- Adjust Cooking Time and Temp: For that perfect golden-brown texture, cook the wings at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The extra time makes a big difference in the final crunch.
- Sauce Comes Last: If you’re tossing your wings in sauce (like buffalo, BBQ, or honey garlic), wait until after air frying to keep them crispy and not soggy.
Recipe FAQs
Place any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat the wings, place them in the preheated air fryer and air fry at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 minutes, or until heated through. It is best to eat wings fresh on the day you cook them.
My favorite dipping sauce is Ranch dressing, but you can also serve these with BBQ sauce, or a side of blue cheese dressing.
You can also use a dry rub and additional spices to change the flavors if desired.
I love to serve mozzarella sticks, carrot sticks, fresh celery sticks, potato skins, jalapeño poppers, or mini cheese puffs.
You need to cook frozen chicken wings in air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for between 23-25 minutes. Make sure to check the wings and break them apart after the first few minutes, and then continue to cook and flip them as needed.
This easy recipe is seriously super simple and always makes the best wings. For more air fryer recipes, check out some of our favorite wing recipes below.
More Chicken Wing Recipes
Appetizers
Frozen Chicken Wings in Air Fryer
Chicken
Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings
Appetizers
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
Here are some great sides to serve along with these yummy chicken wings!
Air Fryer Side Dishes
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Potato Skins
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Parmesan Brussel Sprouts
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Steak Fries
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
I am a HUGE fan of chicken wings, especially on game day. Air Frying wings are, in my opinion, the BEST way to make juicy, crispy, chicken wings.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a STAR ⭐️ RATING in the COMMENTS 📝 SECTION below.
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 12 wings, whole
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup buffalo hot sauce
Instructions
- Cut the wings into pieces so that you have 24 wings.
- Place the wings in a large bowl and add olive oil, garlic powder, and baking powder. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate, then allow the wings to marinate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Prepare the air fryer basket after preheating.
- Add the seasoned wings in a single layer to the air fryer basket.
- Air Fry Wings at 400°F (204°C) for 20 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through. Air fry an additional 2 minutes for extra crispy skin. Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature is 165 degrees F.
- Carefully remove the air fryer wings from the air fryer, cover with your favorite sauce, and serve with your favorite sides.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Excellent recipe. Thank you so much. I then transferred them onto the bbq so as to save space cooking everything else. Worked a treat.
Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed it. ๐
Works great and has super flavor. I cook it often as a quick snack. One variation I used when I ran out of an ingredient was Creole seasoning. It reheats very well.
Yes! As a Louisiana girl, I can also say that gives them great flavor!
Best wings ever!!! Just made them to have watching super bowl. So crispy and awesome taste! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Best I have made! Thank you!
Thank you! I am so glad you liked them!
I have made this several times and keep tweaking it a bit. My air-frier has a rotisserie basket. This time I cooked @12 pieces at 380 for 20 minutes and then another 15 at 400. My chicken pieces are from Costco with each package containing 12-15 pieces (mix of small drums and winglets). I’m going to add a little more baking soda than called for in the original recipe per number of final pieces. Wasn’t crispy enough for me. I had 36 individual pieces and added 2 teaspoons per the recipe.
My air fryer is not the same as used in the recipe, so you need to adjust as each unit is different. Make a written record each time you cook and eventually you will find the sweet spot for your fryer.
Greg