How to Make the Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Wings
American · Easy · 35 min · 4 servings
Ultra crispy chicken wings made in the air fryer with no oil required. They come out perfectly golden and juicy every single time.
Why this recipe works
This Air Fryer Chicken Wings recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 35 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 390 calories with 38g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 8 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 lb chicken wings split into drumettes and flats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 cup hot sauce for serving
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Dry and Season the Wings
Pat the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels. In a large bowl toss the wings with baking powder garlic powder smoked paprika onion powder salt and pepper until evenly coated.
Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes. This step ensures the wings start cooking immediately and get crispier faster.
Step 3: Air Fry the Wings
Arrange wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overlap them. Cook at 400 degrees F for 12 minutes then flip each wing.
Step 4: Flip and Finish Cooking
After flipping continue cooking for another 10 to 13 minutes until the wings are deeply golden and the skin is visibly crispy.
Step 5: Sauce and Serve
Toss the hot wings in your favorite sauce immediately or serve them plain alongside dipping sauces. Serve right away for maximum crunch.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- smoked paprika → regular paprika or cayenne for more heat
- hot sauce → honey garlic sauce for a sweet alternative
- baking powder → do not substitute this as it is key to crispiness
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Do not skip drying the wings as moisture prevents the skin from getting crispy
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket or the wings will not crisp evenly
- Do not skip the baking powder as it raises the pH of the skin and promotes browning
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 390 calories, 38g protein, 4g carbs, 24g fat, 0g fiber.
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