These crispy chicken wings are truly our snack-time hero! Whether we’re whipping up a quick treat for the kids or assembling an appetizer platter to devour during the game, these wings always hit the spot.

Now, we’re usually fans of darker meat, opting for the juicy goodness of legs and thighs. But let me tell you, these chicken wings? They’re in a league of their own! Packed with vibrant flavors and boasting that irresistible crunch, they’ll have you coming back for more with every bite.

a plate of crispy air fryer chicken wings

And here’s the secret to their perfection: these chicken wings are dry-rubbed with a mouthwatering blend of spices and then cooked to absolute perfection in our trusty air fryer. That’s right — no deep frying required!

You are going to want to hit that save button immediately! We guarantee you’ll be adding this to your regular weekday meal rotation.

How to get these chicken wings extra crispy without the oil

Chicken wings are usually deep-fried in oil. They can be greasy, super unhealthy, and even sometimes soggy from excess oil. Plus, you have to use (essentially waste) all of that oil AND there is always a big mess from deep frying. Overall, we are not fans of that method.

However, we have found that using our air fryer for chicken wings has been a game-changer! It is low mess, and easy to clean. Not to mention the texture of the skin gets so irresistibly crispy! We cannot get enough of these delicious crispy chicken wings.

Why do we use the air fryer for these crispy chicken wings?

Air fryers are countertop cooking devices that circulate piping hot air onto the food in a fryer-style basket. There isn’t a need for too much oil, so it’s not technically “frying” the food, although it does result in super crispy bites that have such a satisfying crunch. 

That’s why we love the air fryer for this recipe. It’s a healthier way to cook, and you can make just about anything in the fryer — from Crispy Air Fried Potato Nuggets to reheated pizza that tastes almost like a fresh slice.

Plus, it’s a faster cook than a traditional oven. There’s less of it to heat up and the force of the hot air propelled thanks to the fan means that even if you’re running late, you’ll get your chicken wings in time for the big game…or just in time to feed hungry bellies!

Dry rub or marinade for these crispy chicken wings

When it comes to wings, a saucy marinade might be the first thing that pops into your mind. After all, wings dripping in barbecue sauce are a mainstay of the imagination. But a dry rub actually has some benefits over the sauce.

On a basic level, dry-rubbed wings are way less messy than saucy ones. But it goes deeper than that.

When it comes to cook time and getting a nice sear on your meat, the wetness of a sauce or a marinade needs to evaporate before the meat itself can cook. Dry rubs evade that problem neatly by being, well…dry. You’ll achieve a caramelized, crispy skin in no time. 

Another key difference between dry rubs and sauce is that you don’t need to marinate the rub. You simply throw it on right before cooking, and voilá — ready, set, eat!

crispy air fryer chicken wings

How to make Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Wash and dry your chicken wings. Make sure they’re completely dry so the spice blend has a chance to adhere to the skin.

These air fryer chicken wings are coated in a dry rub and air-fried until nice and crispy! They are packed with flavor and so easy! #chickenwings fooddolls.com

Add all your spices into a big bowl. Mix them together until the result is a vibrant, colorful blend.

Place the chicken wings in the fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 380 degrees F. Cook for 28-30 minutes, flipping halfway through. (Be sure not to crowd the basket.

When they are done they will have a heavenly crispiness on the outside! Serve with a side of ranch, carrots, and celery!

Love air fryer recipes?

Us too! Here are a few of our absolute favorites:

  • Our Air Fryer Cheesy Garlic Toast is a total flavor bomb recipe! It is the perfect side dish to any of our one pot pasta recipes!
  • We are big fans of falafel, so of course we made an Air Fryer Falafel recipe. It is just like the delicious street food, but slightly more healthy!
  • If you have a sweet tooth, look no further than our S’mores Stuffed Dates. They come together so quickly in the air fryer, we love them!

a bowl full of crispy air fryer chicken wings

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

5 from 6 votes
Author: Food Dolls
Servings: 24 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
These air fryer chicken wings are coated in a dry rub before air frying! They are crispy and full of flavor!

Ingredients  

  • 2 pounds chicken wingettes and drummettes
  • 1/2 Tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 Tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper more or less to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried mustard powder
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt more or less to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

Instructions 

  • Preheat air fryer to 380 degrees F.
  • Wash and dry your chicken wings. Make sure they’re completely dry so the spice blend has a chance to adhere to the skin.
    2 pounds chicken wingettes and drummettes
  • Add all your spices into a big bowl. Mix them together until the result is a vibrant, colorful blend. Toss the chicken with the seasonings, coating the wings completely
    1/2 Tablespoon smoked paprika, 1/2 Tablespoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon dried mustard powder, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Place the chicken wings in the fryer basket, and cook for 28 minutes, flipping halfway through. (Be sure not to crowd the basket.
  • Enjoy!

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Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 48kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.5g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 211mg | Potassium: 45mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 187IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Meet Alia & Radwa

Welcome to Food Dolls! Weโ€™re so glad you found us. We are Alia and Radwa, sisters who want to share simple and easy recipes with you. We hope you find recipes here that you enjoy making as much as we do! Learn more about us!

5 from 6 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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10 Comments

  1. I’m assuming when you say mix spices in a large bowl, we then mix the chicken wings with the spices in the bowl before putting the wings into the air fryer?