• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Skip to content
Preppy Kitchen logo
  • About
    • Meet John Kanell
    • Press
  • Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Breakfast
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Breads
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • Casseroles
    • Instant Pot
    • Appetizers
    • Drinks
    • Holiday
  • Cookbook
  • Shop
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Press
  • All Recipes
  • Cookbook
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Follow us on

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Cooking Method » Air Fryer » Air Fryer Chicken Wings

    Air Fryer Chicken Wings

    Published: July 28, 2023 · Modified: Jul 28, 2023 by John Kanell

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    These delicious Air Fryer Chicken Wings come together so quickly as no marinating is required! They are just as crispy as deep-fried wings but come together much more easily! Tossed in a simple sauce afterward, these wings are so flavorful and a family favorite.

    A plate with multiple air fryer chicken wings with a platter of more in the background with a glass of ice water.
    144 shares
    • Share
    • Reddit
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pinterest graphic of a platter with multiple air fryer chicken wings with dip and celery sticks.
    Pinterest graphic of a plate with a couple of air fryer chicken wings with a glass of ice water and a plate of more wings in the background.
    Pinterest graphic of a close view of air fryer chicken wings tossed in a buffalo sauce with a bowl of dip.
    Pinterest graphic of an air fryer chicken wing dipped into a creamy white sauce.
    Pinterest graphic of a plate with air fryer chicken wings with a platter of more in the background with a glass of water.

    Making chicken wings in the air fryer is such a game-changer! You get irresistibly crispy chicken wings without deep frying them or heating up the entire kitchen with your oven. The wings come out perfectly cooked every time with a tender and juicy interior. It’s so effortless to make, and cleaning up is a breeze.

    I also love how quickly this air fryer chicken wings recipe comes together. You toss them in a simple combination of salt, pepper, and garlic powder before being air fried for 16 minutes. They come together quicker than traditional chicken wings, making them perfect for when you need an appetizer or snack quickly. Want another easy recipe that’s great for game day or as an appetizer? Try my buffalo chicken dip, pretzel bites, or guacamole recipe.

    What You Need to Make This Recipe

    Ingredients needed to make air fryer chicken wings.

    Chicken wings — this air fryer recipe uses split wings, which means the wings and split into flats and drumettes. You can do this yourself or save yourself time and purchase “party wings.”

    Oil — you don’t need a ton of oil to make the chicken wings crispy in the air fryer, but you’ll still need a tablespoon.

    Seasoning — I season the chicken wings with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Feel free to use your favorite seasoning combination.

    Hot sauce — feel free to use your favorite hot sauce. You can go as spicy or as mild as you’d like!

    Butter — when combined with the hot sauce, it turns into a buffalo sauce!

    How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Wings

    Set of two photos showing seasoning added to the chicken and tossed to combine.

    1. Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels and place in a large mixing bowl with the olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.

    2. Toss until the chicken is well coated with spices.

    Set of two photos showing wings in the air fryer flipped and tossed in buffalo sauce.

    3. Working in batches if needed, add the wings to the air fryer basket in an even single layer with a bit of space between each and air fry, flipping halfway through, until browned and crisp.

    4. Mix the hot sauce and butter in a large bowl while the wings cook. Whisk to combine. Toss cooked wings with the sauce.

    A platter of multiple air fryer chicken wings with dip and celery sticks.

    Pro Tips for Making This Recipe

    • Make sure to dry the wings thoroughly before air frying them, as any moisture can prevent them from becoming crispy and instead cause them to steam.
    • Don’t skip flipping the chicken wings, as it helps them brown evenly in the air fryer.
    • Never overcrowd the air fryer basket. You want the hot air to be able to circulate all around each chicken wing so they crisp up perfectly. If all of your wings fit in the basket but seem crowded, you can still cook them all at once, but they won’t become as crispy.
    • If they still have them, you can cut the wing tipoff and discard them. They may burn in the air fryer.
    • Depending on the size of the wings, the most accurate way of seeing if you’ve finished cooking the wings is by checking the internal temperature. Smaller wings will take less time to cook.
    A plate with a couple of air fryer chicken wings with a glass of ice water, a plate of more wings, and a board with celery and carrots in the background.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you air fry frozen chicken wings?

    Yes, you can air fry wings from frozen, but the seasoning may not stick well on frozen chicken. As frozen wings tend to stick together, you’ll need to separate them as they cook so they’ll cook evenly. I highly recommend you thaw the chicken wings before air frying them.

    How do I store leftovers?

    Keep leftover chicken wings in the fridge in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. You can reheat the wings in the microwave, but for crispier leftovers, use the air fryer to heat them back up.

    Can I freeze leftovers?

    You can definitely freeze leftover air-fried chicken wings. Once the wings are at room temperature, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

    What else can I toss the wings in?

    If you’re not a fan of buffalo sauce, you can toss the wings in your favorite sauces like bbq sauce, blue cheese dressing, or ranch dressing. You can also change the seasoning to lemon pepper or toss the wings in melted butter with garlic and parmesan! The options are endless.

    If you love this recipe try these out!

    • A plate with three chicken wings and celery with more in the background along with an iced drink.

      Chicken Wings

    • Overhead view of of a platter of fried chicken on a wooden board with two forks and a stack of plates beside it.

      Fried Chicken

    • A plate of chicken nuggets with a bowl of ketchup.

      Chicken Nuggets

    • A plate with a bacon wrapped chicken breast with a side of baby potatoes. A glass of wine and platter of chicken in the back.

      Bacon Wrapped Chicken

    • A plate with chicken fajitas on a tortilla in front of a pan of fajitas.

      Chicken Fajitas

    If you’ve tried this Air Fryer Wings recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!

    A close up view of a platter of air fryer chicken wings.
    Print
    5 from 4 votes

    Air Fryer Chicken Wings

    Made with only a handful of ingredients, these simple but delicious Air Fryer Chicken Wings are so crispy and delicious! They come together so quickly in the air fryer!
    Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 16 minutes minutes
    Total Time 26 minutes minutes
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 639kcal
    Author John Kanell

    Equipment

    • Air fryer
    • mixing bowl

    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds chicken wings split into drums and flats (900g)
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ⅓ cup hot sauce like Frank’s Red Hot (80ml)
    • ¼ cup unsalted butter melted (56g)

    Instructions

    • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Pat the chicken wings dry and place in a large mixing bowl with the oil, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Toss until the chicken is well coated with spices.
    • Working in batches if needed, add the wings to the air fryer basket in an even layer with a bit of space between each and cook, flipping halfway through, until browned and crisp, about 16 minutes.
    • While the wings cook, combine the hot sauce and butter in a large bowl. Whisk to combine.
    • Toss cooked wings with the sauce.

    Video

    Notes

    • Make sure to dry the wings thoroughly before air frying them, as any moisture can prevent them from becoming crispy and instead cause them to steam.
    • Don’t skip flipping the chicken wings, as it helps them brown evenly in the air fryer.
    • Never overcrowd the air fryer basket. You want the hot air to be able to circulate all around each chicken wing so they crisp up perfectly. If all of your wings fit in the basket but seem crowded, you can still cook them all at once, but they won’t become as crispy.
    • If the wings still have the tips, you can cut those off and discard them. They may burn in the air fryer.
    • Depending on the size of the wings, the most accurate way of seeing if you’ve finished cooking the wings is by checking the internal temperature. Smaller wings will take less time to cook.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 639kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 51g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 205mg | Sodium: 987mg | Potassium: 390mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 721IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg
    *Nutrition Disclaimer
    Have you Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @preppykitchen and tag #preppykitchen!
    « Blueberry Buckle
    Air Fryer Donuts »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Preppy Kitchen!

    Thanks for stopping by! I’m John Kanell, a husband, dad to twins Lachlan and George, Los Angeles native, and an avid baker and cooker of all things delicious thanks to a life long education from my mother. This blog is where I share all of my kitchen creations!

    Search

    Follow Us On

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Preppy Kitchen Newsletter

    Sign up to receive recipes, recommendations and tips straight to your inbox!

    Buy My Book

    Preppy Kitchen Cookbook

    As Seen On

    As seen on Elle Décor, People, Food Network and more

    Top Recipes This Month

    • A stack of peanut butter cookies on a small wooden board

      Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

    • A photo of a vanilla cupcake on a cupcake stand with vanilla buttercream frosting beautifully piped on top.

      Buttercream Frosting

    • An Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookie next to a glass of milk

      Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

    • An Espresso martini on a gray surface with coffee beans scattered around

      Espresso Martini

    • A plate with multiple cake pops on it with one with a bite taken out.

      Cake Pops

    • A cake stand with a slice of red velvet cake cut out and placed on a plate in front.

      Red Velvet Cake

    • Lemon bars dusted with powdered sugar on a green and white plate.

      Lemon Bars

    • A group of pink macarons on a serving tray next to flowers

      Macaron Recipe

    • photo of moist Vanilla Cupcakes in pink paper wrappers

      Moist Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

    • A slice of vanilla cake on a plate in front of the cake on a cake stand.

      Vanilla Cake Recipe

    Footer

    As Seen On:

    Elle Décor, People, Country Living, Better Homes & Gardens, Food Network, Woman's Day, forkly, Yummly, the Bump, Buzz Feed, Home and Family and New York magazine.

    The Brand

    • About John
    • Press

    Preppy Kitchen Logo

    Dessert Recipes

    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Cupcakes
    • Pies
    • All Desserts

    Main Course Recipes

    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Casseroles
    • InstantPot
    • Soups
    • Salads

    COPYRIGHT © 2015–2023 PREPPY KITCHEN | PRIVACY POLICY

    144 shares