Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Nothing is more satisfying than cooking up a batch of wings without deep frying. The air fryer’s fan and heating mechanism create a frenzy of forceful hot air that swirls down and around the wings, crisping up the skin to golden perfection (and without the added calories of frying oil). Self-contained air fryers are not the only option for cooking at home: look for multi-cookers and ovens that have an air fryer setting. You can buy chicken wings that are already split or do the work yourself with whole wings – don’t forget to save the tips for making chicken stock.
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer 3.5-quart or larger
- 1 Tongs Heat-resistant for flipping wings
- 1 Microwave-Safe Bowl For melting butter
- 1 Whisk For combining sauce
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl For tossing wings with sauce
Ingredients
Main
- 2 pounds chicken wings split at the joint and tips removed
- Kosher salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup hot sauce such as Frank's RedHot
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing for serving
Instructions
- Pat the chicken wings dry and sprinkle generously with salt. Place the wings in the basket of a 3.5-quart air fryer so they are not touching (if necessary to fit, line up the drumettes standing upright along the sides). Set the air fryer to 360 degrees F and cook for 12 minutes, then flip the wings with tongs and cook for 12 minutes more. Flip the wings again, increase the heat to 390 degrees F and cook until the outsides are extra-crispy, about 6 minutes more.
- Meanwhile, warm the butter in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave until melted, about 1 minute. Whisk in the hot sauce.
- Toss the wings with the butter mixture to coat in a large bowl and serve with dressing on the side.
Notes
Achieving truly crispy air fryer wings hinges on a few key elements: First, always pat the chicken wings extremely dry. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Second, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary, ensuring a single layer for optimal hot air circulation. The two-stage cooking process with increasing heat is crucial: the lower temperature cooks the wings through, while the higher temperature crisps the skin to perfection. Consider preheating your air fryer for 5 minutes before adding wings for a more consistent crisp. For enhanced flavor, a light dusting of garlic powder or smoked paprika with the salt before air frying can elevate the wings even further. Remember to save those wing tips for your next batch of chicken stock!