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Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Wings

WRITER BYCassie
POSTEDSeptember 8, 2020
JUMP TO RECIPE

Making crispy chicken wings in the air fryer is foolproof and ridiculously easy. These wings have the classic crunchy skin we all know and love, and are irresistibly juicy on the inside. Enjoy them on their own, or with your favourite sauce.

chicken wings on a white plate.

Chicken wings are a staple for game days and parties. They're also great for a light dinner.

If you've never had much success in making perfectly crispy chicken wings at home, wait until you try them in the air fryer!

It really is so simple to make air fryer chicken wings. All you need is a few ingredients and 30 minutes.

Here's a few secrets of my secrets to getting foolproof crispy skin wings every time:

  • I thoroughly dry the wings with paper towel before adding a dry rub.
  • I use no oil - the wings render fat while cooking so it's not needed here.
  • I use baking powder to coat the wings. It does two science-y things here - helps brown the chicken and also reacts with any moisture left on the chicken to crisp it up.
  • I start with low heat, then finish with high heat - the fat in the chicken skin will be rendered and drained without overcooking the meat.

You can serve these chicken wings as they are with your favourite sauce, or cover them in the optional buffalo sauce for a bit of a kick!

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE...

  • No-fail crispy chicken wings
  • Quick and easy
  • Perfect to enjoy as is or with your favourite sauce

New to air frying?  Be sure to get your free printable Air Fryer Cooking Chart filled with cooking times & temperatures for all your favourite foods, plus tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your air fryer.

chicken wing on a metal tray.

INGREDIENTS

chicken wing ingredients on a wooden board, including baking powder, garlic powder etc.

Here's what you'll need to make crispy chicken wings in your air fryer (full measurements listed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post)...

  • Chicken Wings - I use a mixture of flats and drumettes (they're sold as "chicken wing nibbles" in Australia)
  • Baking Powder - NOT baking soda ... please don't mistake the two.
  • Garlic Powder
  • Paprika
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Optional Buffalo Sauce Ingredients

  • Butter
  • Franks Hot Sauce
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Brown Sugar
  • Garlic Powder
  • Paprika
chicken wings in a pile on a white plate.

INSTRUCTIONS

Dry the wings as much as you can with paper towel - less moisture left on them, the more crispy the skin!

Add chicken wings to a bowl with the baking powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper and toss with your hands to ensure everything is evenly coated.

chicken wings in a bowl with baking powder and spices.
chicken wings in a glass bowl.

Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket with a little space in between each wing. Don't crowd your wings - you may need to cook in batches if you have a smaller air fryer.

chicken wings in an air fryer basket.

Cook on 150C / 300F for 15 minutes, then 200C / 400F for 10-15 minutes until cooked through. You can confirm this by using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the wings are 74C / 165F (you only need to test the biggest one!). If serving as is, you can serve immediately with your favourite sauce.

cooked chicken wings in an air fryer basket.

For the optional buffalo sauce - mix the ingredients in a small saucepan on medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced and thickened.

Add your wings to the saucepan and toss to coat in the buffalo sauce. Return the wings to the air fryer on 200C for 2 minutes or so to crisp up once more with the sauce. Serve immediately.

cooked chicken wings in an air fryer basket.

Tips for Making This Recipe

  • If you love extra spicy wings, add some cayenne pepper to the wings before you cook them!
  • If you have an oven-style air fryer with multiple racks I'd encourage you not to make multiple racks of chicken wings at the same time if the ultimate goal is to get crispy chicken wings. Fat from the chicken slowly drips off the top rack onto the others and definitely impacts the overall crispiness.
  • I highly recommend investing in a meat thermometer. You can get a decent cheap one for around $10-$15 but it takes all the guess work out of whether meat is cooked or not. You'll want to check the internal temperature of the wings are 74C / 165F before serving. You only need to test the biggest one - and you insert the thermometer in the meatiest part of the wing, away from the bone.
  • Feel free to double or triple the recipe.
chicken wings on a white plate.

MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES

  • Air Fryer Whole Chicken
  • Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
  • Air Fryer Karaage Chicken
  • Air Fryer Sausages
  • Air Fryer Carrot Fries
  • Air Fryer Sweet & Salty Kale Chips
  • Air Fryer Baked Apples
  • Air Fryer Corn Dogs
  • Air Fryer Tilapia
  • Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
  • OR see all Air Fryer Recipes

Want more great Air Fryer recipes?  Be sure to join our Facebook Group – Air Fryer Fun.

If you’ve tried these Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Wings I’d love to hear how you enjoyed them! Pop a comment and a star rating below! 

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RECIPE

Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Wings

Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Wings

Prep Time

5 minutes

Cook Time

30 minutes

Total Time

35 minutes

Making crispy chicken wings in the air fryer is foolproof and ridiculously easy. These wings have the classic crunchy skin we all know and love, and are irresistibly juicy on the inside. Enjoy them on their own, or with your favourite sauce.

4.43 Stars (47 Reviews)

servings

4

Scale

Ingredients

Optional Buffalo Sauce

Instructions

1

Dry the wings as much as you can with paper towel - less moisture left on them, the more crispy the skin! Add chicken wings to a bowl with the baking powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper and toss with your hands to ensure everything is evenly coated.

2

Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket with a little space in between each wing. Don't crowd your wings - you may need to cook in batches if you have a smaller air fryer.

3

Cook on 150C / 300F for 15 minutes, then 200C / 400F for 10-15 minutes until cooked through. You can confirm this by using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the wings are 74C / 165F (you only need to test the biggest one!). If serving as is, you can serve immediately with your favourite sauce.

4

For the optional buffalo sauce - mix the ingredients in a small saucepan on medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced and thickened.

5

Add your wings to the saucepan and toss to coat in the buffalo sauce. Return the wings to the air fryer on 200C for 2 minutes or so to crisp up once more with the sauce. Serve immediately.

Notes
  • If you love extra spicy wings, add some cayenne pepper to the wings before you cook them!
  • If you have an oven-style air fryer with multiple racks I'd encourage you not to make multiple racks of chicken wings at the same time if the ultimate goal is to get crispy chicken wings. Fat from the chicken slowly drips off the top rack onto the others and definitely impacts the overall crispiness.
  • I highly recommend investing in a meat thermometer. You can get a decent cheap one for around $10-$15 but it takes all the guess work out of whether meat is cooked or not. You'll want to check the internal temperature of the wings are 74C / 165F before serving. You only need to test the biggest one - and you insert the thermometer in the meatiest part of the wing, away from the bone.
  • Feel free to double or triple the recipe.

Did you make this? Tell us about it!

Nutrition Facts

Servings:4
Serving Size:1

Amount Per Serving:

calories

378kcal

carbohydrates

13g

protein

19g

fat

28g

saturated fat

10g

polyunsaturated fat

15g

cholesterol

93mg

sodium

886mg

fiber

1g

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Cook It Real Good focuses on making the most of simple ingredients. Learn to cook fast, easy meals that don't sacrifice taste. Oh and the less washing up, the better!

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4.43

12 comments & reviews

Grace

Grace

September 17, 2020

These are, by far, the best wings I've ever had! They were so crispy and the spice was perfect. They weren't greasy like take out wings, and the buffalo sauce was unbelievable. I will definitely make these next time company comes over. Don't stray from the recipe because they truly were perfect as is.

Cassie

Cassie

September 17, 2020

You made my day with this comment Grace 🙂 so glad you enjoyed these wings!

Grace

Grace

September 16, 2020

These are, by far, the best wings I've ever had! They were so crispy and the spice was perfect. They weren't greasy like take out wings, and the buffalo sauce was unbelievable. I will definitely make these next time company comes over. Don't stray from the recipe because they truly were perfect as is.

Marilyn wilson

Marilyn wilson

October 31, 2020

I can't wait to try these wings!

Cassie

Cassie

October 31, 2020

I can't wait for you to try them!!

Margie

Margie

November 30, 2020

What brand of air fryer do you recommend? Want to try this recipe

Cassie

Cassie

November 30, 2020

Hey Margie - I'm in Australia and I have 2 air fryers, one is the 3.3L from Kmart, the other a Bellini 3-in-1 from Target. I love both and highly recommend them. Having said that, it's rare I talk to someone who doesn't like their air fryer brand so I'm not sure you can really go wrong with whatever you choose!

Wanda

Wanda

February 7, 2021

Did you flip them?

Cassie

Cassie

February 8, 2021

I don't but you can halfway if you find the bottom isn't crisping up nicely!

Jenette B

Jenette B

March 13, 2021

Oh my stars! I LOVE LOVE LOOOOOOVE these wings. When I coat them I add different spices I like to the mix. They come out SO CRISPY! My husband loves them... lol as do i!

Tracey

Tracey

April 15, 2021

Made these tonight and all I can say is ... bloody delicious! Super easy to make and tastes so good!

Cassie

Cassie

April 15, 2021

I'm so happy to hear that Tracey! Definitely one of my faves 🙂

Penny

Penny

June 16, 2021

We loved this recipe! These wings were crunchy and full of flavor. The only thing I did different was add a sprinkle of rice flour. I cooked these in my 3.2 litre Aussie Kmart air fryer for 10 mins at 150c and then 10 mins at 200c but checked them a couple of times. I cooked them skin side up and I didn’t turn them. The sauce I made as per recipe and it was amazing. I don’t normally leave reviews but this recipe was so delicious.

Lori

Lori

November 10, 2021

These are so tasty, crisp and easy! Will be my go-to air fryer wing recipe from now on

Firzana

Firzana

November 17, 2022

Wow I made these and they were so crispy and crunchy they tasted amazing with and without the buffalo sauce

Must try

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