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.
Table of Contents
- How to get these chicken wings extra crispy without the oil
- Why do we use the air fryer for these crispy chicken wings?
- Dry rub or marinade for these crispy chicken wings
- How to make Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Common Questions about Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Love air fryer recipes?
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe
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
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
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
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!
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
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
When they are done they will have a heavenly crispiness on the outside! Serve with a side of ranch, carrots, and celery!
Common Questions about Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Always start with thawed wings – frozen wings won’t crisp up properly and cook unevenly! Let them thaw completely in the fridge overnight, then pat them super dry with paper towels before seasoning. That extra drying step is crucial for achieving maximum crispiness.
It depends on your air fryer size, but here’s the golden rule: don’t crowd those wings! They need space for the air to circulate, so arrange them in a single layer with a little space between each one. For most standard air fryers, that’s about 8-10 wings per batch.
Place them on a wire rack instead of a plate – this prevents steam from making them soggy! If you’re making multiple batches, you can keep the finished wings warm in a 200-degree Fahrenheit oven on a wire rack until they’re all done. Just don’t stack them or cover them tightly.
Give your air fryer basket a quick soak in hot soapy water – those crispy bits come right off! Some air fryer baskets are even dishwasher-safe. Pro tip: line the bottom of your air fryer with foil before cooking to catch any drips and make cleanup even easier. Just make sure not to block the airflow!
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!
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
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 completely1/2 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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Thank you for your Delicious recipes my family and friends can’t get enough.
You’re very welcome, Susanna! This made our day! 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
My family loves spicy wings. I used to deep fry and use buffalo sauce. Then I baked them to be a little healthier and added the sauce. Enjoyable and always eaten up. But … then I found this recipe. And these wings??? In the air fryer with a dry rub??? They reign supreme! They are simply amazing. Crispy, spicy and delicious with no added oil and no sauce.
Thank you so much, Kay! We’re so glad you enjoy them! 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
what air fryer do you use and/or recommend?
We love this Cosori air fryer!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Can these marinated be grilled too
We don’t see why not!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Hi! The recipe is excellent. Wings turned excellent. Thanks!
Thank you, Zee! We’re so glad you enjoyed it!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
These wings have been a big hit every time I make them! So good!!!
Thank you, Kathryn! We’re so glad!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
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?
Yes! Thanks for catching that, Candace! We updated the recipe. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Another great recipe!
Smoked paprika twice? Is one supposed to be regular paprika? If so, what quantity for each?
Good catch! We adjusted the ingredients. One of them is sweet/regular paprika!
Looks delicious, but I see smoked paprika twice in the recipe.