These Air Fryer Chicken Wings come out unbelievably crispy on the outside while staying tender and juicy inside. This popular recipe is ready in just 30 minutes and is incredibly easy to make. Toss the wings in a Buffalo sauce, and you have a quick, crowd pleasing meal or appetizer everyone will love.
I absolutely love my air fryer, and I love wings even more. The air fryer cooks chicken wings super fast, and thanks to the natural fat in the skin, the meat inside stays incredibly moist, tender, and delicious every single time. It’s honestly the best way to get crispy wings without deep frying.
I make wings all the time, whether it is baked chicken wings, lemon pepper chicken wings, or garlic parmesan chicken wings, but the air fryer version might be my favorite. They turn golden and crisp on the outside while staying juicy inside, and they are ready in just minutes. If you’re a wing lover like me, this will quickly become your go-to method.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Crispy and juicy every time thanks to the hot air circulation.
- Quick to cook with wings ready in about 20 minutes.
- Healthier than deep frying with no extra oil needed.
- Naturally low carb and perfect for keto or gluten free meals.
- Endless flavor options like Buffalo, garlic parmesan, or lemon pepper.
- Foolproof method that makes perfect air fryer chicken wings every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a few simple ingredients to make the crispiest air fryer chicken wings. Everything is easy to find and you probably already have most of it in your kitchen. Here’s what goes into this quick and delicious recipe.
- Chicken wings – Use about 2 pounds of chicken wings, then cut them into wingettes and drumettes. Buying whole wings and cutting them yourself is cheaper and surprisingly easy.
- Baking Powder – A key ingredient that helps the skin become extra crispy in the air fryer. Make sure you use aluminum-free baking powder to avoid any aftertaste.
- Salt and pepper – Simple seasoning that brings out the natural flavor of the wings.
- Garlic powder – Adds a touch of savory flavor. I keep it simple since the wings get coated in Buffalo sauce, but you can use my chicken seasoning for even more flavor.
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Want to learn how to make crispy chicken wings in the air fryer?
There’s one simple trick that makes all the difference, and you probably already have it in your pantry: aluminum free baking powder. It may sound strange, but baking powder helps draw moisture from the skin, creating that irresistible crispy coating without frying.
Make sure you use baking powder, not baking soda. Baking soda will ruin the wings, while baking powder makes them beautifully crisp.
Start by patting the wings very dry using a clean towel or paper towels. Removing surface moisture is one of the most important steps for getting the skin crispy. Season the wings with baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Always use fresh, thawed wings. Frozen wings will not crisp properly, so let them defrost in the refrigerator before cooking.
Cook the wings at a slightly lower temperature first so the meat cooks through and stays juicy, then increase the heat to crisp up the skin. Even with this two step method, the wings are ready in about 30 minutes.
Finish by tossing the hot wings in your favorite low carb Buffalo sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy every crispy bite.
How to Serve Crispy Chicken Wings?
The original Buffalo wings were created in the 1960s by Teressa Bellissimo at a restaurant in New York.
She coated unbreaded, deep fried wings in a spicy butter and hot sauce mixture, then served them with blue cheese dressing, celery sticks, and carrot sticks. The combination was so good that it quickly became a classic.
Today, crispy wings are one of the most loved game day foods and one of the most popular dishes served in restaurants and bars. You can enjoy them the same way at home:
- Toss the wings in warm Buffalo sauce
- Serve with blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing
- Add celery and carrot sticks on the side
- Pair with your favorite dipping sauces or extra hot sauce
Simple, satisfying, and always a crowd pleaser.
Can I Use Frozen Wings in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can use frozen wings in an air fryer. To do this safely and get the best texture, preheat the air fryer first, then place the frozen wings in the basket in a single layer. Cook them for a few minutes until they begin to thaw and separate.
Once they are partially defrosted, pat them dry if possible, then toss with a little oil and your seasoning mix. Return the wings to the air fryer and continue cooking until they are crispy, golden brown, and fully cooked through.
Tip: Frozen wings take a little longer to crisp, so expect to add an extra 5 to 10 minutes to the total cooking time.
Other Chicken Recipes You Might Like
Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Wings with Buffalo Sauce
Description
Ingredients
For the Wings
- 2 pounds chicken wings cut into drumettes and flats
- 1/2 tbsp aluminum free baking powder not baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
For the Buffalo Sauce
- 1/8 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1/4 cup Frank’s Original Red Hot Sauce
- 1 tsp keto sweetener or brown sugar adjust to taste
Instructions
For Buffalo Sauce:
- In a medium bowl, mix the melted unsalted butter, Frank’s Red Hot, and sweetener. Keep warm.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Pat the chicken wings very dry with paper towels. Removing moisture is key for crispy skin.
- In a small bowl, mix baking powder (aluminum free), salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Sprinkle over the wings and toss until every piece is evenly coated.
- Place wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 380°F (190°C) for 13 minutes, then flip and cook another 13 minutes.
- Increase temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 5 to 8 minutes until the wings are crispy, golden, and the skin is lightly browned.
- Transfer the hot wings to a bowl and toss with warm Buffalo sauce. Serve immediately.
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.
Love the idea on how to cook wings instead of drowning them in oil.