Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings

These crispy air fryer chicken wings are juicy on the inside, perfectly golden on the outside, and ready in under 30 minutes. They’re ideal for game day, parties, or an easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds chicken wings, split into flats and drumettes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (for extra crispiness)
• Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper for heat

Instructions

1. Prep the wings: Pat the chicken wings very dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps them crisp up.
2. Season: In a large bowl, toss the wings with olive oil. In a small bowl, mix together salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, baking powder, and cayenne (if using). Sprinkle the seasoning over the wings and toss until evenly coated.
3. Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3–5 minutes, if your model requires preheating.
4. Arrange the wings: Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each piece. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
5. Air fry: Cook at 380°F (193°C) for 18–20 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the wings halfway through, until the wings are golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C).
6. Extra crispy option: For even crispier wings, increase the temperature to 400°F (204°C) for the last 3–5 minutes of cooking, checking often so they don’t burn.
7. Serve: Transfer the wings to a plate and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce such as ranch, blue cheese, or buffalo sauce.

Tips & Variations

• Make them saucy: Toss cooked wings in buffalo, BBQ, or honey garlic sauce right after cooking.
• Dry rub only: For extra crispiness, stick to the dry rub and serve sauces on the side.
• Frozen wings: You can cook frozen wings in the air fryer; add 5–8 minutes and check for doneness.
• Reheating: Reheat leftover wings in the air fryer at 360°F (182°C) for 4–6 minutes until warmed through and crisp.