Nothing beats a plate of crispy, juicy, and flavorful chicken wings on game day!
Whether you’re hosting a party, enjoying a family dinner, or just craving a delicious snack, these Air Fryer Chicken Wings are a must-try.
Thanks to the air fryer, these wings are perfectly crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside—without deep frying! Plus, they’re ready in under 30 minutes, making them a quick and easy crowd-pleaser.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Extra Crispy Without Frying – The air fryer delivers restaurant-quality crispiness with little oil.
✅ Healthier Than Deep-Fried Wings – Less oil means fewer calories and less mess!
✅ Fast & Easy – No need to wait for the oven or deal with hot oil.
✅ Customizable Flavors – Toss them in buffalo sauce, BBQ, garlic parmesan, or honey mustard.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Chicken Wings:
- 2 lbs chicken wings (drums & flats)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder (for extra crispiness)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
For the Buffalo Sauce (Optional):
- ½ cup hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot recommended)
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon honey (for a touch of sweetness)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Optional Garnishes & Dipping Sauces:
- Fresh parsley or chives
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing
- Celery and carrot sticks
🍗 How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Step 1: Prep the Wings
- Pat dry the chicken wings using paper towels—this is key to getting crispy skin.
- In a large bowl, toss the wings with baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper until evenly coated.
- Drizzle with olive oil and mix well to ensure all the wings are coated.
Step 2: Air Fry the Wings
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space for air circulation.
- Air fry for 10 minutes, then flip the wings and cook for another 10–12 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Optional: For extra crispiness, air fry for an additional 3–5 minutes.
Step 3: Make the Buffalo Sauce (Optional)
- In a saucepan over low heat, melt butter and stir in hot sauce, honey, and garlic powder.
- Mix well and remove from heat.
Step 4: Toss & Serve
- Transfer the crispy wings to a large bowl.
- Pour the buffalo sauce over the wings and toss until fully coated.
- Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.
🔥 Tips for the Best Air Fryer Chicken Wings
✔ Pat the wings completely dry before seasoning—moisture prevents crispiness.
✔ Don’t overcrowd the air fryer—cook in batches if needed for even crisping.
✔ Use baking powder—it helps break down proteins and creates crispy skin.
✔ Flip halfway through cooking to ensure even crisping.
✔ For extra-crispy wings, cook for 5 more minutes at 400°F (200°C).
🍽️ Flavor Variations
Want to switch things up? Try these delicious sauce options instead of buffalo sauce:
1. Honey Garlic Wings
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon ginger
2. BBQ Wings
- Toss wings in your favorite BBQ sauce after air frying.
- Sprinkle with chopped green onions for extra flavor.
3. Garlic Parmesan Wings
- Toss wings in 2 tablespoons melted butter and ½ teaspoon garlic powder.
- Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and parsley.
🥶 How to Store & Reheat
Storing:
- Let wings cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
- Keep in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating:
- Air Fryer: Heat at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes until crispy.
- Oven: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes.
- Microwave: Not recommended—wings will become soggy.
❓ FAQ
1. Can I use frozen chicken wings?
Yes! Just increase the cooking time by 5–7 minutes, flipping halfway.
2. Do I need to use baking powder?
It’s not required but highly recommended for extra crispiness.
3. Can I cook these in the oven instead?
Yes! Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 40–45 minutes, flipping halfway.
4. How do I make these extra spicy?
Add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper to the seasoning or mix extra hot sauce into the buffalo sauce.
🌟 Final Thoughts
These Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings are the perfect game-day snack—they’re crunchy, juicy, and packed with flavor! Whether you prefer buffalo, BBQ, or garlic parmesan, they’re guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering.
🔥 Try this recipe today, and let us know how it turns out! 🍗🏈
Ingredients
For the Chicken Wings:
For the Buffalo Sauce (Optional):
Optional Garnishes & Dipping Sauces:
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Wings
Step 2: Air Fry the Wings
Step 3: Make the Buffalo Sauce (Optional)
Step 4: Toss & Serve