Craving crispy chicken wings without all the oil and mess? These air fryer chicken wings come out golden, juicy, and ultra crispy—no deep fryer needed! Whether you like them tossed in buffalo sauce, honey garlic, or served plain with dipping sauce on the side, these wings are a game day favorite and perfect for parties, snacks, or quick dinners.
The best part? They’re done in about 25 minutes, and the skin gets crispy-crackly perfect in the air fryer—every single time.
🛒 What You’ll Need
- 2 lbs chicken wings (split into flats and drums, tips removed)
- 1 tbsp baking powder (NOT baking soda – this helps them crisp!)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
Optional Sauces:
- Buffalo sauce (¼ cup hot sauce + 2 tbsp melted butter)
- BBQ sauce
- Honey garlic glaze
- Or serve plain with dipping sauces
👩🍳 Pro Tips for Crispy Air Fryer Wings
- Pat wings dry before seasoning—this helps them crisp up beautifully.
- Don’t crowd the air fryer basket—cook in batches if needed for even crisping.
- Baking powder (not soda!) gives that golden, bubbly skin—don’t skip it!
- Toss in sauce after cooking, not before, to keep them crispy.
- Want EXTRA crispy wings? Air fry for 5 more minutes after tossing in sauce!
🔄 Flavor Variations
- Lemon pepper wings – toss with lemon zest, pepper & garlic butter
- Sweet chili wings – use Thai sweet chili sauce
- Garlic parmesan – toss hot wings with melted butter, garlic, and Parmesan
- Dry rub – add cayenne, cumin, or chili powder to the seasoning blend
🔪 Tools You’ll Need
- Air fryer (basket-style or dual drawer)
- Paper towels
- Mixing bowl
- Tongs
- Small saucepan (if heating sauce)
🕒 Make Ahead & Storage Tips
- Season wings ahead and refrigerate up to 24 hours
- Cooked wings can be stored in fridge up to 3 days
- Reheat in air fryer at 375°F for 5–6 minutes to crisp them back up
- Not recommended for freezing after cooking (texture changes)
🔥 How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Wings
1️⃣ Prep & Season the Wings
- Pat wings dry with paper towels.
- In a bowl, toss with baking powder, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper until well coated.
2️⃣ Air Fry the Wings
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 2–3 minutes.
- Place wings in a single layer in the basket (don’t overcrowd).
- Cook for 12 minutes, flip wings, then cook 12 more minutes until golden and crisp.
- Optional: Increase temp to 400°F and cook an extra 3–5 minutes for extra crispiness.
3️⃣ Toss in Sauce (Optional)
- In a large bowl, toss cooked wings with your favorite sauce—buffalo, BBQ, honey garlic, etc.
- Serve immediately with ranch, blue cheese, celery & carrots.
🧊 Leftovers & Reheating
- Fridge: Store in airtight container for up to 3 days
- Reheat: Air fry at 375°F for 5–6 minutes
- Best served fresh for that ultra-crispy finish
🍗 Crispy, Juicy, and Finger-Lickin’ Good
These air fryer chicken wings are your ticket to crispy perfection—no deep fryer, no mess, and no waiting on takeout. Dress them up or keep them classic, and enjoy them for game night, movie night, or a quick dinner everyone will love!
Tried them? Let me know your favorite sauce combo or dry rub! 🔥🧄🌶️
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