How To Cook Frozen Chicken Wings In An Air Fryer (Recipe & Video)

From Frozen To ‘Finger-Lickin’ Goodness: How To Cook Frozen Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer.

Are you staring at a bag of frozen chicken wings with the sad realization that you forgot to defrost them for dinner? Don’t panic, don’t cry, and don’t call for takeout just yet! With the help of an air fryer, you can turn those icy poultry appendages into crispy, flavorful goodness in no time.

So put on your culinary superhero cape and get ready to save the day (and your appetite) with this guide on how to cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer.

Can You Air Fry Frozen Chicken Wings?

Yes, you can indeed air-fry frozen chicken wings! In fact, I do it all the time. Also, many air fryer manufacturers specifically advertise the ability to cook frozen foods, including chicken wings.

However, there are some misconceptions about whether cooking frozen chicken wings in an air fryer is safe or advisable.

One common concern is that the chicken wings won’t cook properly if they are frozen. While it’s true that frozen food may take slightly longer to cook than thawed food, air fryers are designed to circulate hot air around the food, which helps to cook it evenly.

Read more here about how air fryers work and cook food.

To ensure that your raw frozen chicken wings cook evenly in the air fryer, you may need to increase the cooking time slightly or shake the basket periodically during cooking to ensure that the wings are evenly exposed to the hot air.

Also, make sure that the chicken wings reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before consuming, and use a food thermometer to check the temperature of the thickest part of the wings.

Here’s How To Cook Frozen Chicken Wings In An Air Fryer:

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F or 200°C for a few minutes before adding the frozen chicken wings. This step can actually help the air fryer cook the wings evenly.

Step 2: Place the frozen chicken wings in the air fryer basket and cook them at 400°F or 200°C for 10 minutes to defrost. Once the wings are defrosted, remove them from the air fryer basket and place them in a mixing bowl.

If any water is left in the bottom of the air fryer basket, dry it with the kitchen towel.

Step 3: Coat the defrosted chicken wings with your favorite seasonings or dry rubs like salt, chili powder, or garlic powder. You can also use your favorite sauce or marinade to add flavor to the wings. Mix well until the wings are fully coated.

Step 4: Place the coated chicken wings back in the air fryer and air fry at 400°F or 200°C for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, flip the wings over and air fry them for another 10 minutes till crispy and golden brown.

Step 5: Once the wings look golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve them hot with your favorite dipping sauce like ketchup, BBQ sauce, or anything you like really.

Tips For Cooking Frozen Chicken Wings In An Air Fryer

First things first, let’s talk about that dripping water. You know, the liquid that collects in the bottom of the air fryer basket when cooking/defrosting frozen wings. Just dry it up with a paper towel after the initial 10-minute cooking to defrost the wings.

Now, onto the seasoning issue. One of the keys to getting those spices to stick to the wings and get them nice and crispy is to dry off the wings as much as possible before seasoning them. This can be achieved by patting them down with a paper towel.

Although chicken wings don’t really need any oil to cook as they are already quite fatty, I sometimes still use a light oil coating to help the seasoning stick. And if you’re using a dry rub, try mixing it with a bit of cornstarch or baking powder to help it adhere better.

Check out my other air fryer chicken recipe here, where I show you how to make a try rub with baking powder for extra crispy chicken wings.

How Long To Cook Frozen Chicken Wings In An Air Fryer?

For frozen chicken wings, I recommend a temperature of 400°F or 200°C, and a total time for air frying is 35-40 minutes, as I explain in the recipe below. This temperature and cooking time is perfect for the wings to cook all the way through and have a nice crispy texture on the outside.

Just remember to air fry the wing in a single layer in the air fryer basket. So, if you have a small appliance, cook them in batches.

Now, for breaded wings, you will need to cook them a little longer, about 40-45 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time.

Remember, cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of your wings, so be sure to keep an eye on them as they cook. You can always check the internal temperature of the wings with a meat thermometer to ensure they are fully cooked with the minimum safe internal temperature of 165°F.

Read Also: Making Hard Boiled Eggs In An Air Fryer – Useless Hack Or Game Changer?

In Conclusion

Cooking raw frozen chicken wings in the air fryer is a convenient and delicious way to enjoy this classic dish without sacrificing taste or texture. Don’t be afraid to try it straight from the freezer – it’s really okay!

You can have perfectly cooked and seasoned wings without thawing them first. So the next time you’re in the mood for some crispy and flavorful chicken wings, grab a bag from your freezer, fire up your air fryer, and get cooking!