This easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings recipe is a healthier and much simpler alternative to classic deep fried wings. They’re crispy, flavorful, and all done in a matter of minutes! Check out my step-by-step instructions to give you the perfect chicken wings every time.
Air Fryer Wings
In this recipe you’ll learn how to cook your chicken wings in any type of air fryer. I used a Ninja Foodi which has both pressure cooking and air frying capabilities, but I’ve also included instructions if you’re using a traditional air fryer. The recipe I have here is for my favorite recipe, salt and pepper chicken wings.
There’s no need to submerge your wings in a vat of hot greasy oil to get the perfect crispy chicken! I think everyone should have an air fryer in their home. With only a drizzle of oil you’ll be enjoying wings that not only taste better than at your favorite pub, but they are much better for you as well.
Ingredients in Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe
This recipe is so simple! If you love your wings saucy or even with a dry seasoning, you can add that at the very end.
Detailed measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page. For this recipe you’ll need:
- Water – You can also use chicken broth, but water will work just fine for the pressure cooking step.
- Chicken wings – Make sure to find wings that already have been separated into drums and flats. This will save you lots of prep time.
- Salt and pepper – While you can toss your wings in any flavor you like, cooking them with some seasoning will give the wings great flavor.
- Olive oil – You can also use other high-temp oils such as avocado, peanut, safflower, or sunflower.
How to Air Fry Chicken Wings
Detailed measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Pressure cook the wings: Pour the water into the pressure cooker and add the air frying basket. Toss the wings with salt and pepper then dump them into the basket, seal with the pressure cooking lid, and cook on high pressure for 3 minutes.
- Air fry the wings: Drizzle the oil over the wings and close the air frying lid. Cook on 425F for 20-25 minutes until they are crisp. Gently stir them every 7-10 minutes.
It’s really that simple! You’ll have deliciously crisp wings without all the extra oil and hassle of deep frying them.
Can I Make Air Fryer Chicken Wings Without the Pressure Setting?
My Ninja Foodi air fryer comes with a pressure cooker setting that I like to use to make sure my wings are fully cooked before starting the air fryer process so all I have to worry about is the crispy skin.
If your air fryer doesn’t have a pressure cooking setting, that’s fine too! Follow these steps for perfect wings:
- Toss the wings with salt, pepper, and oil. Add them to the basket or lay them flat on the racks, depending on what type of air-fryer you have. Air fry at 375F for 25 minutes. If you have a basket, give it a shake every 5-10 minutes. If they are on a rack, turn them after 12 minutes.
- Turn the temperature up to 400F. Check on them every 5-7 minutes until they are your preferred doneness.
Can I Use Frozen Wings?
Yes you can! The only trouble you may run into is if the wings have frozen together to form a block which will be difficult to fit into the fryer basket.
- For the Ninja Foodi: Increase the pressure cooking time to 10 minutes, then air fry as per the recipe instructions.
- For a traditional air fryer: Start with an extra step by air frying the wings at 350F for 10 minutes. Then you can follow the air frying instructions as they’re written.
How to Thaw Chicken Wings
There are a few different methods you can try out if you’re stuck with frozen wings. Give these a try:
- Microwave: If your microwave has a defrost function, this is my favorite way to effectively and quickly thaw my chicken wings.
- Water bath: Fill a large bowl with room temperature water and add the wings to a large freezer bag. You can expel the air by holding the unzipped bag from the top and slowly lowering the wings into the bowl of water to force all the air out. Once you get to the top, zip the bag before any water can get in. Change the water every 30 minutes until the wings have thawed.
- Overnight: If you have time to plan ahead, you can transfer your wings from the freezer to the fridge the night before you plan on making them.
What Can I Toss My Wings With?
This is where you can start to get creative! I like to serve wing with just salt and pepper, and an array of sauces and seasonings that people can choose from to customize their own serving of wings.
Give these ideas a try!
Saucy wings:
- Buffalo sauce with blue cheese dip
- Honey garlic
- Teriyaki sauce
- Red Chimichurri
- BBQ sauce
- Curry sauce
Dry wings:
- Garlic and parmesan
- Lemon pepper
- Cajun seasoning
- Jamaican jerk
- Taco seasoning
How to Store Leftover Wings
Store leftovers in an airtight container and they will last 4 days in the fridge. You can use one of two methods to reheat your wings and keep them crisp:
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 350F and make for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- Air fryer: Yes that’s right, your air fryer can reheat as well! Add the wings to your air fryer and cook at 350F for 5 minutes. Increase the temperature to 400F and cook for another 5 minutes, or until heated through.
Keep in mind that if you’ve tossed them with a sauce, it will dry up a bit with the reheating process. Don’t worry, though! The wings will still taste amazing. You will just have to toss them with a little bit of fresh sauce.
How to Freeze Leftover Wings
To prevent your wings from freezing together, place them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and cover them with plastic wrap. Freeze them for 1 hour, then transfer them to a large freezer bag or airtight container. They will last 6 months frozen.
To reheat:
- Oven: Bake your wings at 375F for 30-35 minutes or until heated through.
- Air fryer: Cook at 375 for 15 minutes, then increase the temperature to 400F and cook for another 10-15 minutes.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Wings
You can serve your wings classic pub style with celery sticks, carrot sticks, and a creamy dip such a ranch or blue cheese.
Putting together a spread for your family and/or friends? Try these recipes!
- Skillet Pizza Dip
- Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad
- Cowboy Caviar
- Mini Corn Dogs
- Easy Potato Salad
- Chile Con Queso
More Delicious Chicken Wing Recipes To Try!
- Crispy Baked Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings
- Vietnamese Style Chicken Wings
- Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings
- Coca Cola Wings
- Sticky Chinese Chicken Wings
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Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 3 lbs chicken wings thawed
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- 1 tsp pepper or to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Pressure cook the wings: Pour the water into the pressure cooker and add the air frying basket. Toss the wings with salt and pepper then dump them into the basket, seal with the pressure cooking lid, and cook on high pressure for 3 minutes.
- Air fry the wings: Drizzle the oil over the wings and close the air frying lid. Cook on 425F for 20-25 minutes until they are crisp. Gently stir them every 7-10 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 350F and make for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- Air fryer: Yes that's right, your air fryer can reheat as well! Add the wings to your air fryer and cook at 350F for 5 minutes. Increase the temperature to 400F and cook for another 5 minutes, or until heated through.
David R Campbell says
Could I use my IP for pressure cooking the 3 minutes and follow up with the Air Fryer? Or would the IP time be different?
Joanna Cismaru says
You can! That’s exactly how I would do it!
David R Campbell says
Thanks. I’ll try your recipe this weekend using both devices and will report back. 🙂