🍗 Sticky Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in a sticky, slightly charred glaze — these air fryer chicken wings are pure finger-licking goodness. No deep fryer, no greasy mess, and ready in just 25 minutes. Perfect for game night, quick dinners, or whenever a wing craving hits.

Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 2–4

🛒 Ingredients

For the Wings:

• 2 lbs chicken wings (drums and flats)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Sticky Sauce:

• ⅓ cup BBQ sauce (or hot sauce for heat)

• 1–2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• Optional: splash of hot sauce or apple cider vinegar

🔥 How to Make Them

Step 1: Dry the Wings (Very Important!)

Pat the wings completely dry with paper towels.
This step is the secret to crispy skin in the air fryer.

Step 2: Season

In a large bowl, toss the wings with:

• Olive oil

• Salt

• Paprika

• Garlic powder

• Black pepper

Coat evenly but lightly.

Step 3: First Cook

• Preheat air fryer to 380°F (195°C).

• Arrange wings in a single layer (cook in batches if needed).

• Air fry for 18 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Step 4: Make the Sticky Sauce

While wings cook, whisk together:

• BBQ sauce

• Honey (or brown sugar)

• Soy sauce

• Optional hot sauce or vinegar

Taste and adjust sweetness or heat.

Step 5: Sauce & Finish

After the initial 18 minutes:

1. Remove wings and toss in the sticky sauce.

2. Return to air fryer.

3. Increase temperature to 400°F (200°C).

4. Cook for 3–5 more minutes until caramelized and slightly charred.

Watch closely so the sauce doesn’t burn.

🍽 Serve With

• Ranch or blue cheese dip

• Celery sticks

• Fries or potato wedges

• Coleslaw

💡 Tips for Extra Crispy Wings

• Don’t overcrowd the basket.

• Always flip halfway through cooking.

• For even crispier skin, add ½ teaspoon baking powder to the seasoning mix.

• If sauce burns easily, brush it on during the last 2 minutes instead of tossing fully.

❓ FAQ

Can I use frozen wings?
Yes, but thaw completely and dry thoroughly first.

How do I reheat leftovers?
Air fry at 375°F for 4–5 minutes until hot and crispy again.

Can I make them less sweet?
Use hot sauce instead of BBQ and reduce the honey.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes — cook in batches to maintain crispiness.