Air Fryer Fried Chicken Wings

Serves: 4-6 | Prep Time: 10 Minutes | Cook Time: 20-25 Minutes

Air fryer fried chicken wings are the ultimate crispy, juicy, and flavorful snack or meal. Whether you’re hosting a game day gathering or just craving some crispy chicken wings at home, the air fryer makes it easy to cook up a batch that’s perfectly crispy on the outside while remaining tender and juicy on the inside. This recipe ensures you get the best texture with less oil compared to traditional deep frying. The result? Crispy, golden, and delicious chicken wings with minimal mess and fuss.

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Chicken Wings:

• Crispy Texture: Thanks to the air fryer’s powerful convection heat, your wings will have that perfect, crispy texture without the need for deep frying in hot oil.
• Healthy Alternative: Air frying uses significantly less oil, making these wings a healthier alternative to traditional fried wings.
• Quick and Easy: With a prep time of just 10 minutes and a cook time of 20-25 minutes, you can enjoy these wings in less than an hour.
• Versatile Flavors: The wings can be seasoned with a variety of spices, and you can coat them in your favorite sauces for added flavor.

This detailed recipe will guide you step-by-step on how to achieve the best crispy fried chicken wings using the air fryer. Ready to make some finger-licking goodness? Let’s dive in!

Ingredients for Air Fryer Fried Chicken Wings:

• For the Chicken Wings:

  • 10-12 chicken wings (drumettes and flats)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil for a neutral flavor)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika for a milder flavor)
  • 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for a spicy kick)
  • 1/4 tsp ground cumin (optional, for added depth of flavor)

• For the Coating:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch (helps achieve extra crispy wings)
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder (for crispiness)

• Optional Sauces for Dipping:

  • 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (for a classic spicy kick)
  • 2 tbsp melted butter (to make the sauce richer)
  • 1 tbsp honey (for a sweet balance with the buffalo sauce)
  • 1/4 cup ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing (optional)

• For Garnish (Optional):

  • Fresh chopped parsley or green onions for garnish
  • Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)

Instructions for Making Perfect Air Fryer Fried Chicken Wings:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Wings

1. Rinse and Dry: Start by rinsing the chicken wings under cold water to remove any impurities. Once rinsed, pat the wings dry thoroughly with paper towels. The drier the wings, the crispier they will become when cooked in the air fryer. Excess moisture can prevent the wings from crisping properly.
2. Trim the Wings: If necessary, separate the drumettes and flats of the chicken wings. Some people prefer to remove the tips of the wings, but that’s completely optional.

Step 2: Coat the Wings with Olive Oil

1. Toss in Olive Oil: In a large mixing bowl, drizzle the chicken wings with 1 tbsp olive oil. Use your hands or tongs to toss the wings, ensuring they’re all evenly coated in oil. The oil helps the seasoning stick to the wings while also helping them crisp up in the air fryer.

Step 3: Season the Wings

1. Spice Mix: In a separate small bowl, mix together 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper. If you want your wings to have a little extra flavor, feel free to add a dash of ground cumin or any other seasoning of your choice (such as chili powder, Italian seasoning, or lemon pepper).
2. Season the Wings: Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the chicken wings and toss them again to ensure every wing is evenly coated with the spices.

Step 4: Prepare the Coating

1. Make the Flour Coating: In another bowl, mix 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, and 1/2 tsp baking powder. The cornstarch helps to create that crispy, crunch texture, and the baking powder helps the wings stay extra crispy.
2. Dredge the Wings: Lightly dredge each seasoned wing in the flour mixture. Shake off any excess flour before placing the wings in the air fryer. Don’t coat the wings too thickly; a light dusting is all you need for crispy results.

Step 5: Preheat the Air Fryer

1. Preheat Your Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. Preheating ensures that your wings cook evenly and crisp up nicely when placed in the fryer basket.

Step 6: Cook the Chicken Wings

1. Place the Wings in the Air Fryer: Arrange the coated wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure the wings are not overcrowded. This will ensure the air can circulate around the wings and help them crisp up evenly. You may need to cook the wings in batches if your air fryer basket is small.
2. Air Fry the Wings: Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the wings for 20-25 minutes. Flip the wings halfway through cooking (around 10-12 minutes) to ensure even crispiness on both sides. Cooking time may vary depending on the size of your wings and the brand of your air fryer, so make sure to check for golden-brown crispiness.

Step 7: Prepare the Optional Buffalo Sauce

1. Make the Sauce: While the wings are cooking, you can make a quick buffalo sauce to toss them in after they’re done. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup buffalo sauce, 2 tbsp melted butter, and 1 tbsp honey. Stir until well combined. The honey helps balance the heat from the buffalo sauce, making it perfect for dipping.

Step 8: Toss the Wings in Sauce (Optional)

1. Sauce the Wings: Once the wings are crispy and fully cooked, remove them from the air fryer. Place the cooked wings in a large mixing bowl. Pour the buffalo sauce over the wings and toss them gently to coat them evenly. If you prefer your wings without sauce, simply serve them as is, or pair them with dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Step 9: Garnish and Serve

1. Garnish the Wings: Garnish your crispy fried chicken wings with freshly chopped parsley or green onions for a pop of color and flavor. You can also serve them with lemon wedges on the side for a refreshing citrusy zing.
2. Serve: Serve your wings with your favorite sides like celery sticks, carrot sticks, or a fresh salad. Pair them with cold drinks like soda, beer, or iced tea for the ultimate meal.

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Fried Chicken Wings:

1. Do Not Overcrowd the Air Fryer Basket: The key to crispy wings is allowing enough space between them for the air to circulate freely. Overcrowding can result in uneven cooking and soggy wings.
2. Use a Light Coating of Oil: A light misting of oil on the wings and in the air fryer basket helps them crisp up beautifully. Too much oil can lead to greasy wings.
3. Adjust Seasonings to Taste: If you like spicier wings, add more cayenne pepper or hot sauce. For a milder version, reduce the cayenne or use sweet paprika instead of smoked paprika.
4. Use Cornstarch for Extra Crispiness: Cornstarch is a must for achieving that crispy, crunchy texture that we all love about fried wings.

Serving Suggestions:

• Dipping Sauces: Offer a variety of dipping sauces such as buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, or blue cheese dressing.
• Sides: Serve with a side of French fries, coleslaw, or a green salad to complete the meal.
• For a Spicy Twist: Add more hot sauce or drizzle your wings with sriracha for an extra kick.

Conclusion:

Air fryer fried chicken wings are a game-changer for anyone who loves crispy wings but doesn’t want the mess or excess oil of deep frying. With this recipe, you can achieve perfectly crispy, juicy wings that are bursting with flavor. Whether you enjoy them as an appetizer, main course, or snack, these air fryer wings are sure to satisfy your cravings!