Description
This Air Fryer Chicken Wings recipe yields perfectly crispy, flavorful wings cooked quickly and easily without deep frying. Coated with a seasoned baking powder mix and tossed in your choice of buffalo or BBQ sauce, these wings are juicy inside with an irresistibly crunchy skin, ideal for a tasty appetizer or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Wings
- 10–12 chicken wings (fresh or frozen)
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil (for coating)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika (smoked paprika is great too!)
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1 tbsp baking powder (helps with crispiness)
Sauce (Optional)
- ¼ cup buffalo sauce or BBQ sauce (or both!)
- 1 tbsp melted butter (optional, for a creamy finish)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes to ensure it’s hot enough to crisp the wings properly.
- Prep the Chicken Wings: If using frozen wings, thaw completely. Pat dry with paper towels to remove moisture, which is key for crispiness. Toss the wings with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and baking powder in a large bowl to coat evenly.
- Air Fry the Wings: Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding to allow air circulation. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping at about 12 minutes for even cooking. For extra crispiness, cook an additional 5 minutes but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Make the Sauce (Optional): While wings cook, warm buffalo or BBQ sauce in a small pan. Stir in melted butter if using for a smoother, richer sauce.
- Toss in Sauce (Optional): Transfer cooked wings to a large bowl, pour the sauce over, and toss gently to coat each wing evenly.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley or extra seasoning. Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing and celery sticks for a classic presentation.
Notes
- Patting the wings dry before seasoning is essential for crisp skin.
- Don’t skip the baking powder; it’s the secret to extra crunch.
- Adjust cooking times based on wing size; meat temperature should reach 165°F (75°C).
- Try different sauces like honey garlic, teriyaki, or lemon pepper for variety.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
