If you love crispy, restaurant-style chicken wings, but want a healthier and easier way to make them at home, then these Air Fryer Chicken Wings are just what you need! They turn out crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with flavor—all without the mess of deep frying.
Air frying cuts down on oil but keeps all the delicious crunch, making these wings lighter, yet just as satisfying. Whether you like them coated in buffalo sauce, honey garlic, BBQ, or just seasoned to perfection, these air fryer wings are quick, simple, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Let’s dive into how to make the best crispy air fryer chicken wings at home!
Why Air Fryer Chicken Wings?
✅ Extra Crispy Without Deep Frying – No need for excessive oil, yet they get crispy like fried wings!
✅ Quick & Easy – Cooks in under 30 minutes, no need to heat up the oven!
✅ Healthier Option – Less oil, fewer calories, and just as delicious!
✅ Perfect for Any Occasion – Great for game nights, parties, or weeknight dinners.
✅ Customizable – Toss them in buffalo, garlic parmesan, BBQ, lemon pepper, or any sauce you love!
Ingredients (in grams)
For 2-3 servings, you’ll need:
- 1 kg (2.2 lbs) chicken wings (split into drumettes and flats)
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon (5g) salt
- 1 teaspoon (5g) black pepper
- 1 teaspoon (5g) garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon (5g) onion powder
- 1 teaspoon (5g) smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon (2g) baking powder (for extra crispiness)
For Buffalo Sauce (Optional):
- 60ml (¼ cup) hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot recommended)
- 30g (2 tablespoons) butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) honey (optional, for a slight sweetness)
For Garlic Parmesan Sauce (Optional):
- 30g (2 tablespoons) butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon (5g) garlic powder
- 20g (¼ cup) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon (5g) dried parsley
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Wings
- Pat the chicken wings dry using paper towels. Removing excess moisture is key to getting crispy wings.
- In a large bowl, toss the wings with olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and baking powder. Mix well so each wing is evenly coated.
Step 2: Cook in the Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 3-5 minutes.
- Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd—cook in batches if needed.
- Air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Wings are done when they are golden brown, crispy, and reach an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F).
Step 3: Toss in Sauce (Optional)
- While the wings are cooking, prepare your sauce of choice (Buffalo, Garlic Parmesan, or BBQ).
- Once the wings are done, transfer them to a bowl and toss them with your favorite sauce.
- Serve immediately with celery, carrot sticks, and ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving – Based on 3 Servings)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Protein: 38g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
- Sodium: 700mg
(Note: Nutrition values vary based on sauce choices and portion sizes.)
Tips & Tricks for the Crispiest Air Fryer Chicken Wings
✔️ Pat the Wings Dry – Removing moisture ensures they crisp up properly.
✔️ Use Baking Powder – This is a game-changer! It helps dry out the skin, making the wings extra crispy.
✔️ Don’t Overcrowd the Basket – Arrange wings in a single layer so they cook evenly. If needed, cook in batches.
✔️ Shake the Basket Halfway – This helps the wings crisp up on all sides.
✔️ Toss in Sauce After Cooking – Don’t add sauce before air frying, or the wings will turn soggy.
✔️ Reheating Leftovers? – Pop them back in the air fryer at 180°C (360°F) for 5-7 minutes to bring back the crisp!
Best Wing Sauce Ideas
🔥 Classic Buffalo Wings – Toss in Frank’s RedHot sauce, melted butter, and a dash of honey for a spicy kick!
🧄 Garlic Parmesan Wings – Coat in butter, garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese for a cheesy, savory flavor.
🍯 Honey BBQ Wings – Mix BBQ sauce with honey for a sweet, smoky twist.
🍋 Lemon Pepper Wings – Drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle lemon zest + black pepper for a zesty bite.
🌶 Sweet Chili Wings – Toss in Thai sweet chili sauce for a sticky, sweet heat.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Wings
🥕 Veggie Sides – Celery, carrot sticks, or cucumber slices for a refreshing crunch.
🥗 Salads – A light green salad balances out the richness of the wings.
🍟 Fries – Serve with classic French fries, sweet potato fries, or tater tots.
🧀 Dipping Sauces – Ranch, blue cheese dressing, or sriracha mayo take these wings to the next level.
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