Name: Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 lb chicken wings; 1 large garlic clove (pressed); 1/2 tsp salt; 1/8 tsp Pepper; 1/2 tsp paprika; 2 Tbsp olive oil

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These Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings are so easy to make and taste absolutely delicious. The air fryer gives them a perfect texture and flavor, making them much better than deep-fried wings.

For some sides to go with these chicken wings, try this air fryer baked potato and some air fryer Brussels sprouts.

overhead image of crispy air fryer chicken wings on a white plate with chopped parsley on top

Table Of Contents

Why air fryer chicken wings are better than traditional fried wings
Here’s what you will need
How to make air fryer chicken wings
How does an air fryer make food crispy?
Can I use frozen wings?
Serving suggestions
Flavor variations
How to make Lemon pepper wings
How to make BBQ wings
How to make buffalo wings
Our favorite sauces for chicken wings
Can I stack them in the air fryer?
More Air fryer recipes to try!
Recipe Video Tutorial
Full Recipe Instructions

Why air fryer chicken wings are better than traditional fried wings

Air fryers are so great at giving us a healthier way to enjoy our favorite foods. Instead of frying chicken wings in tons of oil to get them crispy, this air fryer recipe produces crisp and juicy wings that taste great all on their own or with a sauce like 4-ingredient BBQ and buttermilk ranch. Whether you’re making them for a snack or meal, you can feel good about this healthier version of this finger food favorite. Serve them with your favorite sauce, like this Chick-Fil-A Sauce, or plate them with some air fryer French fries and asparagus for dinner. Crispy chicken wings are a versatile food that everyone can enjoy!

Here’s what you will need

The basic recipe only requires a few simple ingredients. For more variations, scroll down to the full recipe card.

Chicken wings– also known as part wings
spices: salt, pepper, paprika,
Olive oil– to help get the wings nice and crispy
Garlic– enhances flavors.

overhead image of air fryer chicken wing ingredients on a white background

How to make air fryer chicken wings

This is a quick breakdown. For the full recipe, scroll down to the printable recipe card.

Thaw and dry the chicken. Thaw the chicken wings and then pat away the moisture on each one with a paper towel.
Put together ingredients. Add the chicken wings, paprika, salt, pepper, and oil to a large bowl. Using clean hands, toss everything together until well incorporated.

Steps to make Air Fryer Chicken Wings, including creating a marinade of oil, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper and tossing them all together.

Marinate. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for 3 hours to marinate. If you don’t have time, you can also cook these wings right away.
Cook. Place the chicken wings in the air fryer basket, making sure to leave some room between them for air circulation. Cook them at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Crisp the wings. To get your chicken wings nice and crispy, cook them for another 8 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Serve.

Steps to make Air Fryer Chicken Wings, including placing the wings in the air fryer basket and cooking them.

How does an air fryer make food crispy?

Without using oil like traditional deep-frying, an air fryer cooks all sides of the food by circulating hot air quickly throughout the fryer. In a regular oven, you’d have to flip and turn food for even cooking, but the air fryer cooks all sides at the same time and the same amount. This is great because it lessens the cooking time, making your food crispy, cooked through, and not overdone.

Can I use frozen wings?

Yes. To fully cook them, add about 5 minutes at 390 degrees Fahrenheit to the initial cook time when using frozen wings.

Serving suggestions

Crispy chicken wings are great for a snack, but you can easily pair them with some other side dishes for a delicious meal. Try adding some cheesy baked orzo, parmesan roasted potatoes, air fryer zucchini fries, air fryer french fries, or mac and cheese to make your chicken wings really shine.

Flavor variations

Lemon pepper– ads a little citrus and tang
Barbecue– all you need is the basic seasoning and your favorite BBQ sauce
Buffalo– the best buffalo wings sauce is a simple as melted butter and franks red hot buffalo sauce.
Garlic parmesan– marinate them with extra garlic and toss them in grated parmesan cheese once they are done air-frying.

overhead image of bbq wings, buffalo wings, and lemon pepper wings on white plates

How to make Lemon pepper wings

For the full recipe, scroll down to the printable recipe card.

Add the chicken wings to a large bowl along with garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and olive oil. Then mix it up.
Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the chicken wings for 12 minutes flipping halfway through. Then pick the heat up to 400 and cook for another 8 minutes.
Then melt unsalted butter in a saucepan with garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon pepper seasoning and pour it over the crispy wings.

overhead image of crispy air fryer lemon pepper wings on a white plate with lemon wedges around

How to make BBQ wings

Mix the wings with oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika, and cook the wings the same exact way you did with the lemon pepper flavor. But at the end, brush barbecue sauce onto both sides of the wings and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 more minutes.

How to make buffalo wings

Toss the chicken wings with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and baking powder, then cook for 12 minutes at 390 degrees Fahrenheit flipping halfway through. Then cook at 400 degrees for 8 more minutes.
Then mix the buffalo sauce with melted butter and pour it over the wings.

overhead image of air fryer buffalo wings on with ranch and celery sticks beside them

Our favorite sauces for chicken wings

Chicken wings are twice as amazing with a tasty sauce. Here are a few great ones to try:

Homemade ranch– This tangy ranch is so good on plain or sauced chicken wings.
Easy BBQ sauce– This bbq sauce is easy to make and has a sweet and smoky flavor.
Copycat Chick-Fil-A sauce– This copycat recipe is a perfect mix of sweet, tangy, and smoky.

up close image of crispy air fryer chicken wings on a white plate with chopped parsley on top

Can I stack them in the air fryer?

No, you want to avoid stacking your wings. An air fryer works by circulating hot air on all sides of the chicken wings. If they are pressed together or stacked, the air will not get to those parts and your wings will come out undercooked. Make sure there is space between each chicken wing for the best results.

More Air fryer recipes to try!

Recipe Video Tutorial

Full Recipe Instructions

3 image collage of air fryer chicken wings. Buffalo. barbecue, and lemon pepper flavor

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings

These Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings are so easy to make and taste juicy and delicious. Cooked to perfection, their texture and flavor are much better than deep-fried wings.

5 from 9 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

marinate (optional): 3 hours

Servings:

Calories: 224kcal

Author: Dina

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

If your chicken wings are frozen make sure to thaw them thoroughly and Pat them dry with a paper towel.
Now Place the chicken wings, pressed garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and oil in a large bowl.
Using your clean hands, toss all the ingredients around until thoroughly combined. Then cover the chicken with plastic wrap and refrigerate for three hours to marinate. If you don't have time to marinate the chicken, you can still cook it right away.
Place the marinated chicken in the bottom of your air fryer basket and cook at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 minutes flipping halfway through.
Then cook for another 8 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit to get the outside of the skin nice and crispy.

Notes

Flavor Variations

LEMON PEPPER- Add the chicken wings to a large bowl along with 1 pressed garlic clove, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp paprika, and 2 tsp olive oil. Then mix it up. Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the chicken wings for 12 minutes flipping halfway through. Then pick the heat up to 400 and cook for another 8 minutes. Then melt unsalted butter in a saucepan with garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon pepper seasoning and pour it over the crispy wings.

BBQ– Mix the wings with 1 pressed garlic clove, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp paprika, and 2 tsp olive oil and cook the wings the same exact way you did with the lemon pepper flavor. But at the end, brush barbecue sauce onto both sides of the wings and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 more minutes.

BUFFALO– Toss the chicken wings with 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, and 1/2 Tbsp baking powder, then cook for 12 minutes at 390 degrees Fahrenheit flipping halfway through. Then cook at 400 degrees F for 8 more minutes. Then mix the buffalo sauce with melted butter and pour it over the wings.

Nutrition

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Dina

Hi, I’m Dina, so glad you stopped by! I believe life is too short for bad coffee and boring meals. With my easy to follow step-by-step recipes, you’ll be surprised at how quickly a wholesome and delicious meal can come together. I hope you find something you enjoy!