Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for making air fryer chicken wings crispy, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Chicken Wings – Buy them trimmed, or separate whole chicken wings at the joint (to make wingettes and drumettes) before cooking. I usually get them trimmed to avoid the extra fuss. This recipe is for fresh or thawed chicken, so if your wings are frozen, follow my recipe for air fryer frozen chicken wings instead. Olive Oil – I always add olive oil to help the seasoning adhere to the wings better and get them more crispy. You can use avocado oil as a substitute if you like. I tested the recipe without oil as well, though, and it still works, so you can skip it if you want to. Baking Powder – This is my surprising “secret” ingredient that makes the crispiest wings! This is because it soaks up extra moisture, helping to dry the skin. Be careful not to use baking soda, which won’t work and will leave an aftertaste. (I grabbed it by mistake once and that was, um, not a good experience!) Also, I’ve found aluminum-free baking powder works best to avoid any metallic taste. Sea Salt & Black Pepper – For simple seasoning. See more flavor ideas below if you want a more complex taste!
How To Cook Chicken Wings In The Air Fryer
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
How Long To Cook Chicken Wings In The Air Fryer?
Air fry chicken wings for 15 minutes at 250 degrees F first, then flip and air fry for 15-20 more minutes at 430 degrees F. The total time is 30-35 minutes.
Bring the chicken to room temperature if you have time. This is not required, but I noticed that letting them sit out for 20-30 minutes before cooking helps them cook more evenly. Dry the skin. Moisture is the enemy of crispy skin, so patting dry with paper towels helps you achieve maximum crispiness. I actually do this with all my chicken recipes, even ones without skin, because it also (somewhat counterintuitively) helps lock moisture inside. Use the right salt ratio. A good rule of thumb for meat and poultry is a teaspoon of salt per pound of meat, but since chicken wings have mostly bones, only about 1/3 of their weight is actually meat. This air fryer chicken wing recipe is for 2 pounds of wings, which is about 11 ounces of meat, and that’s why I used 3/4 teaspoon of sea salt. Adjust accordingly if you make a bigger or smaller batch. The baking powder is crucial. This is the main trick for extra crispy skin! Don’t skip it. Don’t crowd the air fryer basket. This ensures that the air can flow through and crisp up the skin. It’s okay if the wings touch a little, but try not to have their entire sides touching. If you have patience to have them not touching each other at all, even better. Check internal temperature. Crispy chicken wings are usually a sign that they are done, but the best way to know for sure is to use a meat thermometer. Confirm that the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees F, and make sure not to touch the bone when measuring.
Starting at lower heat makes the meat super juicy, and increasing the heat later gets them extra crispy. It’s the best of both worlds! (This method came out better than starting out at high heat.)
Seasoning Variations
Air fryer wings are already flavorful plain, but you can also mix these up with a variety of seasonings or sauces. Here are some of my favorites that I’ve tried:
Simple Spices – Don’t want to make any special seasoning or sauce? Use basic spices like garlic powder or paprika. Lemon Pepper – Season with my lemon pepper seasoning, or try my baked lemon pepper wings. Buffalo – Cook the crispy wings in the air fryer as written below, and finish by tossing in a mixture of butter and buffalo sauce (or your hot sauce of choice). See my buffalo wings recipe for the perfect ratio! You can also use the same sauce for my air fryer buffalo cauliflower. Cajun – Use Cajun seasoning for a spicy, flavorful kick. I make this less often because my kids can’t take the heat, but my husband loves it! You’ll need to skip the salt if your seasoning is salted like mine. Garlic Parmesan – Cook the wings as usual and toward the end, toss in the sauce from this garlic parmesan wings recipe. (I like to also add some Italian seasoning with this one.)
No matter what seasoning or sauce you use, I recommend keeping the baking powder on the skin — it’s the key to super crispy skin!
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat: The best way is to reheat wings in the air fryer again! Somehow even after doing it a gazillion times, I’m still always amazed at how they turn out almost like they were cooked fresh. Just air fry for a few minutes at 350 degrees F, until hot and crispy. Freeze: To freeze for later, arrange the drumettes and wingettes in a single layer on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a zip lock bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Chicken wings are a delicious and easy way to cook up a tasty meal in no time. Here are some of my favorite pairings that will perfectly complement them:
Dipping Sauces – If nothing else, I have to have a sauce! I serve my air fryer chicken wings with blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing (pictured above) most often, but sometimes I opt for teriyaki sauce or BBQ sauce when I want some sweetness. Raw Veggies – Carrots and celery sticks are classic sides. You can also use cucumber, radishes, or bell pepper strips. I’ll be honest, on busy nights I’ve made a little veggie spread with these wings and called it dinner. 😉 Air Fryer Veggies – Chicken and vegetables are the two foods I cook in my air fryer more often than anything else! Make your entire meal using one appliance by pairing this air fryer wings recipe with air fryer eggplant, crispy air fryer brussel sprouts, or air fryer zucchini chips. Fries – Make some air fryer french fries, or try lighter rutabaga fries. Sometimes I even make a mix of both! Other Apps – Making these for a party? I like to make a spread with a dip, such as Rotel dip or spinach dip, and a bite-sized appetizer, like zucchini pizza bites or Caprese skewers.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
If you like these quick, easy, and crispy chicken wings, you might also like some of these other cuts I’ve made in the air fryer:
My Favorite Air Fryer
I have this air fryer and love it! The pictures above are from an older one I used to have, but I like this new one so much better because I can fit more wings in it. If you want to make an even bigger batch at once, this version has a space for two racks. I keep it in storage and pull it out when we have company to make larger batches! Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. Nutrition info does not include the optional olive oil. 📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Keto Cheat Sheet System and Keto Ebook Bundle!
