Let me show you how I make crispy air fryer chicken wings with simple seasoning and an easy foil trick. And yes, I finally found the time and temperature that works best for getting the chicken wings just right.
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Check out my crispy air fryer chicken wings recipe video below and see exactly how I make them. If you enjoy the video, give it a like and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more easy air fryer recipes.
Why you’ll love these air fryer chicken wings
These chicken wings are quick and easy to make, and you only need a few basic seasonings. There is no breading, no complicated prep, and no big pile of dishes waiting for you afterward.
I also love that this air fryer chicken wings recipe works just as well for an easy dinner as it does for movie night or game day. Add your favorite sauce on the side, and you’re good to go.
Crispy outside, juicy inside
The skin gets golden and crisp around the edges, while the chicken underneath stays juicy. The salt, garlic powder, and black pepper keep the flavor simple, which means you can eat the chicken wings as they are or add whatever sauce you’re craving.
Barbecue sauce is my favorite with these… although buffalo sauce, ranch, or a garlicky dip would disappear pretty quickly around here too.
The foil trick I use
Instead of laying a completely flat piece of foil in the basket, I pinch the foil into little raised ridges.
Those ridges lift the chicken wings slightly above the juices that collect underneath as they cook. I also love this trick because once dinner is over, I can throw away the foil instead of scrubbing all those cooked-on drips from the basket.
Note: Check your air fryer manual before using aluminum foil. Keep the foil securely weighed down by the food, never let loose foil reach the heating element, and avoid blocking airflow more than necessary.
Air fryer chicken wings ingredients
You really do not need much for this one.
- 8 chicken wings
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Cooking oil spray, as needed
- Barbecue sauce, for serving, optional
- Aluminum foil, if your air fryer manufacturer allows it
Easy seasoning swaps
The salt, garlic powder, and pepper combination is what I use most often, but chicken wings are pretty forgiving when it comes to seasoning.
If you feel like changing things up, try smoked paprika, onion powder, Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or a little cayenne for some heat. You can really use whatever seasoning you’re in the mood for here.
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Aluminum foil
- Tongs
- Small brush, if you are brushing on the oil instead of spraying it
How to make chicken wings in an air fryer
Step 1: Shape the foil.
First, to help the chicken wings get crispy and make cleanup easier, tear off a sheet of aluminum foil and pinch it in a few places to create raised ridges.
You want the foil to look a little wavy rather than completely flat. Those raised areas help keep the chicken wings slightly above the juices while they cook.
Fit the foil securely inside the air fryer basket and keep the edges tucked safely away from the heating element.
Step 2: Add a little oil.
Next, give the foil a quick spray or brush with cooking oil before the chicken wings go in. It makes life much easier when you flip the chicken wings later because the skin is less likely to cling to the foil.
Step 3: Season the chicken wings.
Spread the chicken wings out so they are easy to season. Sprinkle over the salt, garlic powder, and black pepper, then flip the chicken wings and season the other side too.
You can really use whatever seasoning you’re in the mood for here, so if you like your chicken wings smoky, spicy, extra garlicky, or a little of everything, go for it.
Step 4: Arrange them in the basket.
Place the chicken wings over the foil in one layer, leaving a little space between them. The hot air needs room to move around the chicken wings if you want the skin to crisp instead of steam.
If all 8 chicken wings will not fit comfortably, cook half first and then cook the other half.
Top Tip: Do not squeeze extra chicken wings into the basket just to save time. A little space around them helps the hot air reach more of the skin, which gives you a much better shot at crispy air fryer chicken wings.
Step 5: Cook the first side.
Here’s the time and temperature I’ve found works best for these chicken wings. Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the chicken wings for 12 minutes.
By then, the skin should already be picking up some color and starting to crisp. Flip each chicken wing over with tongs so the second side can cook evenly too.
Step 6: Finish cooking.
Cook the chicken wings for another 12 minutes on the second side. In the Ninja air fryer I’m using, fresh chicken wings this size usually take about 24 minutes in total.
That timing has worked really well for me. If your chicken wings are much larger, they may need a few extra minutes.
Chicken wings in air fryer time
For this recipe, the sweet spot in my air fryer is about 24 minutes total at 400°F (200°C), with a flip after the first 12 minutes.
So if you have ever wondered how long to cook wings in an air fryer, that is a very good place to start for fresh chicken wings around this size.
Different air fryers can run a little hotter or cooler, so your exact cooking time may vary slightly.
What temperature to cook chicken wings in an air fryer
I use 400°F (200°C).
That higher heat helps the outside brown and crisp while the chicken cooks through inside. In my opinion, it is much better for wings than cooking them low and slow.
Related Recipe: If you also want to make chicken thighs in your air fryer, check out this really clever trick I learned from a street food chef. It works perfectly in the air fryer and makes such a difference to how the chicken thighs turn out.
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Simple and crispy air fryer chicken wings with juicy meat, golden skin, and minimal cleanup.
4
servings10
minutes24
minutes650
kcal1
hour10
minutesIngredients
8 pieces 8 chicken wings
½ teaspoon ½ (3 g) salt
½ teaspoon ½ (1.5 g) garlic powder
¼ teaspoon ¼ (0.6 g) ground black pepper
cooking oil spray, as needed
barbecue sauce, optional
aluminum foil, for lining
Directions
- Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil and create ridges across it. Place in the air fryer basket.
- Spray or brush the foil lightly with cooking oil.
- Lay chicken wings in a single layer and season with salt, garlic powder, and black pepper on both sides.
- If needed, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 12 minutes on one side.
- Flip the wings and cook for another 12 minutes.
- Check for desired crispiness and cook extra time if necessary for larger or frozen wings.
- Serve hot with barbecue sauce, if desired.
Equipment
Ninja Air FryerCheck it out on Amazon here
Recipe Video
Notes
- Change Up the Seasoning: Keep the salt, garlic powder, and black pepper as your simple base, or swap in smoked paprika, lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, or a little cayenne. If you use a salty seasoning blend, cut back on the added salt so the chicken wings do not end up too salty.
- Keep the Skin Crispy: Leave a little space between the chicken wings so hot air can move around them. Crowding the basket traps steam around the skin and can make the wings softer instead of crisp.
- Store Leftovers Safely: Refrigerate cooked chicken wings in an airtight container within 2 hours and use them within 3 to 4 days. For food safety, reheat leftovers to 165°F.
- Reheat in the Air Fryer: For crispier leftovers, arrange the chicken wings in one layer and reheat them in the air fryer instead of the microwave. Around 350°F to 375°F for about 5 minutes is a good starting point, then add another minute or two if needed.
Nutrition Facts
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 650kcal
- Fat: 46g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Protein: 55g
Can I cook frozen chicken wings?
You can, but the timing will be different.
Frozen chicken wings usually need longer because the air fryer first has to thaw and heat the center before the outside can really start crisping. For the most predictable result with this recipe, I prefer starting with fresh or fully thawed chicken wings.
How to reheat air fryer chicken wings
Air fryer chicken wings are actually really good reheated… much better than microwaving them, in my opinion.
Put the chicken wings back into the air fryer at about 350°F (175°C) for 4 to 6 minutes, turning once if needed. They should heat through while the skin starts crisping again.
Try not to overcrowd the basket when reheating either.
How to store leftovers
Let any leftover chicken wings cool, then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 to 4 days.
I would not store them wrapped in the cooking foil because all those juices can make the skin soften. Move the chicken wings into a clean container instead.
Serving ideas for crispy air fryer chicken wings
You can keep dinner really simple and serve these with fries, potato wedges, coleslaw, corn on the cob, or a big salad.
For dipping, barbecue sauce is an easy favorite, but ranch, blue cheese dressing, buffalo sauce, honey mustard, or garlic sauce all work really well too.
How can you not have a sauce with chicken wings?!
More easy air fryer recipes
If your air fryer gets as much use as mine does, have a look through my other easy air fryer recipes too… there are plenty more simple dinner ideas waiting for you.
- How I Mastered Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks – These air fryer chicken drumsticks come out juicy and tender inside with beautifully crispy skin. They’re an easy choice for a quick family dinner.
- How To Cook Ribs in Air Fryer – Learn how to make tender, flavorful ribs in the air fryer without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s a simple way to enjoy ribs any night of the week.
- Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Recipe – This air fryer pork tenderloin is juicy, well-seasoned, and easy to prepare. It makes a simple main dish that works well with your favorite sides.
And if you make these crispy air fryer chicken wings, leave me a comment below or ask me a question about the recipe. You can also leave your question in the YouTube comments, and I’ll try to respond to every comment and question I can.