The air fryer has become a kitchen essential, transforming how we cook classic dishes like air fryer chicken wings. Not only does it offer a healthier alternative to traditional deep-frying your food, it also delivers wings that are perfectly crispy on the outside and soft and succulent on the inside. With minimal prep time and even faster cooking, air-fried chicken wings are a go-to for busy cooks and a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
General Air Fryer Chicken Wing Tips
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature (usually around 200°C) to ensure even cooking and optimal crispness.
- Marinate for Flavour: Marinate the wings for at least 30 minutes, or ideally overnight, for maximum flavour infusion and tenderness.
- Single Layer: Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t overlap for even air circulation.
- Shake or Flip: Shake the basket or flip the wings halfway through cooking to ensure they brown evenly on all sides.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Cook the wings in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, which can lead to uneven cooking and soggy skin. Try not to overlap the wings as it will cause uneven cooking.
- Check Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the wings reach an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F) for safe consumption.
- Let Them Rest: Allow the wings to rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more succulent bite.
- Pair your crispy chicken wings with air-fried veggies: Vegetables like broccoli, carrots, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and bell peppers all roast up beautifully with a bit of oil, salt, and pepper.
6 Delicious Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipes
1. Traditional Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken wings
- Salt and pepper to taste (you may want to use chicken salt instead)
Directions
- Preheat the air fryer to 200°C.
- In a bowl, add the chicken wings and the salt and pepper. Allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Arrange wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 15 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
2. Classic Buffalo Wings
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken wings
- Buffalo sauce
- Blue cheese dip and celery sticks for serving
Directions
- Preheat the air fryer to 200°C.
- Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels.
- In a large bowl toss the wings in the sauce until well coated.
- Arrange wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket (some fryer baskets have multi-layer trays so do not overlap wings on the trays).
- Cook for 15 minutes, then flip the wings and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Toss the wings in the remaining sauce and serve immediately with blue cheese dip and celery sticks.
3. Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken wings
- Lemon Pepper sauce
Directions
- In a large bowl, thoroughly coat the chicken wings with your prepared lemon pepper sauce. Ensure all parts of the wings are covered. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavours to infuse into the meat.
- While the chicken is marinating, preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F). This will ensure optimal cooking and crispness for the wings.
- Once marinated, remove the chicken wings from the marinade and discard any excess. There’s no need to pat them dry.
- Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them for even air circulation. Cook for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, carefully flip each wing to ensure even browning. Continue air frying for another 10-15 minutes, or until the wings are golden brown, crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F) on a meat thermometer.
- Once cooked, transfer the wings to a serving dish and garnish with fresh thyme and rosemary sprigs for added fragrance and visual appeal.
- Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
4. Spicy Korean Gochujang Wings
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken wings
- Spicy Korean Marinade
Directions
- In a bowl, add the chicken wings and the marinade. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 200°C.
- Arrange wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 15 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Garnish with fresh thyme and rosemary sprigs before serving.
5. Tandoori Chicken Wings:
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken wings
- Tandoori marinade
Directions
- In a bowl, combine the chicken wings with your prepared tandoori marinade. Make sure the wings are thoroughly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally for several hours or overnight to allow the flavours to fully incorporate.
- While the wings are marinating, preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
- Once the air fryer is preheated, arrange the marinated wings in a single layer in the fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
- Air fry the wings for 12-15 minutes, then flip the wings over. Continue cooking for another 10-12 minutes, or until the wings are cooked through (internal temperature of 75°C or 165°F), the skin is golden brown and crispy, and the marinade is slightly charred.
- Cooking time may vary depending on the size of the wings and your air fryer model, so adjust accordingly.
- Once cooked, remove the wings from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help the juices redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavourful wings.
6. Bourbon Bliss Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken wings
- Maple Bourbon Glaze
Directions
- Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This will help the glaze adhere better and create a crispier skin.
- Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
- Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Air fry for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, open the air fryer and carefully flip each wing. Generously brush the wings with the maple bourbon glaze, making sure to coat all sides.
- Return the wings to the air fryer and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the wings are golden brown and sticky, and the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F) on a meat thermometer. Brush with more glaze halfway through this cooking time for an extra layer of flavour.
- Once cooked, transfer the wings to a serving platter and drizzle with any remaining glaze. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the irresistible combination of sweet, smoky, and tangy flavours!
Want to take your chicken wings to the next level? If you’re looking for ideas on how to stuff your chicken wings with delicious fillings, be sure to check out BellyBelly’s Filling and Stuffing.
Not sure which air fryer is right for you? Check out this guide to find the Air fryer that matches your needs and budget.
