Last Updated 09-26-2024
This Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings recipe is a game changer! With a handful of spices and an air fryer, you can cook up wings that are crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and seasoned to perfection. Whether you’re planning a game-day feast, a casual dinner, or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, this recipe has you covered.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe for Air Fryer Wings
I recently gave my parents an air fryer for Christmas, because I love mine so much, and I knew they loved it too. These Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings were one of the first recipes they tried, and it’s a real winner!
These wings turned out great. My husband loved them. Will definitely be making these again.
Maureen
Really, you’re getting two recipes in one here, since you won’t use all of the dry rub for one batch of wings. If you keep it tightly covered, the dry rub will store for up to two years!
Which means you can store it in an airtight container and use it on burgers, chicken breasts, steak, pork chops, and of course, more wings!
You’ll use 2-3 tablespoons of the dry rub for every two pounds of chicken wings, so you’ll definitely have plenty leftover to use another time.
My biggest tip for getting super crispy wings is to rinse them in cool water and then pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels before you season them and add them to the air fryer.
These were hands-down the best wings I’ve ever had! The seasoning is perfect, and my family was happy to eat these wings straight from the air fryer.
Of course, we do love adding sauce to our wings, and this recipe is perfect for that! You can dip the wings in your favorite sauces, or put the wings in a big bowl and toss with your favorite sauce to coat.
Buffalo sauce is always a hit around here, and barbecue sauce is a favorite of my youngest son. But the possibilities are endless, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
A side of Ranch or blue cheese dressing is obviously a must! And it goes without saying these wings are perfect for game day.
If you’ve been searching for the perfect air fryer wing recipe, look no further–these Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings are exactly what you’ve been looking for!
My family loved this!
Joseph
What Should I Serve with Chicken Wings?
Ranch and blue cheese dressing, along with carrot sticks and celery, are a must with wings, of course. But since these wings feature a dry rub instead of a sauce, you can dip them in anything you want.
These are some of our favorite dips and sauces to serve with these crispy chicken wings.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Chicken Wings – You can use whole wings or drumettes and flats. Just make sure they’re nice and dry before seasoning for optimal crispiness!
- Olive Oil – A little olive oil helps the seasoning stick and help crisp up the skin. You don’t need much, just enough to coat the wings.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder – These are the foundation of the dry rub. Think of Don’t skip them—no one likes bland wings!
- Ground Cumin – Cumin adds a warm, earthy flavor that ties everything together. It’s that secret ingredient no one can quite place but everyone loves.
- Brown Sugar – The brown sugar helps balance the heat and gives the wings a caramelized crust (my favorite part)!
- Salt and Pepper – Obvious and simple, but essential. Season to taste.
Tips for Making Crispy Air Fryer Wings
- The key to crispy wings is to pat the wings as dry as possible with paper towels before adding any oil or seasoning. Wet wings equals sad, soggy skin, and nobody wants that.
- Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t crowd the basket! Crowding will make the wings steam instead of crisp. If you’re making a lot of wings, cook them in batches for best results.
- Make sure to preheat your air fryer. Just like an oven, preheating helps ensure even cooking right from the start. It might seem like an extra step, but it’ll help you get that perfectly crispy texture in less time.
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Step 1
Prep the Wings: Rinse your chicken wings under cold water, then pat them dry with paper towels until they’re as dry as possible. This step is crucial if you want crispy wings!
Step 2
Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes. This will help your wings cook evenly and get that perfect, crispy skin.
Step 3
Season the Wings: Place the wings in a large bowl and drizzle with the olive oil. Toss to coat evenly. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, cayenne, and brown sugar. Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of the seasoning mix over the wings and toss until they’re well coated. I like to use my hands—it’s the best way to ensure every wing is fully seasoned!
Step 4
Cook the Wings: Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. Work in batches if necessary. Cook at 400°F for 17-20 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through the cooking time to ensure both sides get crispy and golden. The wings should reach an internal temp of 165°F.
Step 5
Serve and Enjoy: Remove the wings from the air fryer and let them rest for a couple of minutes. If you like your wings saucy, toss them in your favorite wing sauce, but be careful not to soak them.
Recipe FAQs
FAQS
Can I use frozen chicken wings?Yes, but you’ll need to add extra time to the cooking process. Air fry the frozen wings at 400°F for about 5 minutes first to thaw them, then drain any excess liquid, pat them dry, and season them with the dry rub. After that, cook as directed in the recipe for another 17-20 minutes.
Can I make these wings in the oven?Yes. You can bake the wings in the oven if you don’t have an air fryer. Preheat your oven to 425°F, place the wings on a wire rack set over a baking sheet, and bake for 35-45 minutes, flipping halfway through. They won’t be quite as crispy as air-fried, but they’ll still be delicious!
Can I use different seasonings?Absolutely! This recipe is super versatile, so feel free to switch up the seasonings to suit your taste.
What kind of wings should I use?Whole wings will work, or you can split them into flats and drumettes. It’s all about personal preference. Just be sure to adjust cooking time slightly if the pieces are much smaller or larger.
Can I make these wings ahead of time?Yes, you can prepare and season the wings ahead of time, then store them in the fridge for up to a day before cooking them. Just cook them as instructed in the recipe when you’re ready to serve them. To reheat cooked wings, just pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp them up again.
Be sure to save this Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
More Air Fryer Recipes to Try
- Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Chimichangas
- Air Fryer Herb Garlic Chicken Wings
- Crispy Air Fryer Potato Chips
- Easy Air Fryer Cheese Taquitos
- Air Fryer Pasta Chips
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Instructions
- Rinse the 2 pounds chicken wings and pat dry with paper towels. Add wings to a large bowl and toss with the 2 tablespoons olive oil to coat well.
- Combine the 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon pepper, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 2 tablespoons brown sugarin a small bowl and whisk until well combined. Add 2-3 tablespoons of the seasoning mixture to the wings and toss to coat well.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Working in batches, if necessary, add the wings to the air fryer in a single layer and cook for 17-20 minutes, flipping once halfway through cooking time.
Video
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Nutrition
Hello! I’m Danelle. Thanks for visiting.
Uptown foodie meets real life at Let’s Dish, where I share all my favorite recipes. Making meal time easy, but doing it in style!
Joseph
My family loved this!
Dana Greer
Best chx wings!
Maureen
These wings turned out great. My husband loved them. Will definitely be making these again.