Quick Answer
The amount of time needed to cook chicken wings in an air fryer depends on a few factors, including the size of the wings, whether they are fresh or frozen, and how crispy you want them. Most recipes recommend cooking fresh bone-in chicken wings for 15-20 minutes at 400°F in an air fryer. Larger wings or frozen wings may take 25-30 minutes. Smaller chicken wing sections like drumettes may only need 12-15 minutes. Checking the wings and shaking the basket halfway through is recommended for even cooking. The internal temperature of the wings should reach 165°F. Adjust cook times as needed to achieve your preferred texture.
How Air Fryers Work
Air fryers are small countertop convection ovens that use a rapid air circulation system to cook food. A heating element and fan quickly blow hot air around food to produce a crispy exterior through browning reactions like deep frying, but without submerging the food in oil. The intense heat of an air fryer can cook chicken wings in much less time compared to a traditional oven.
Factors That Affect Cook Time
There are a few key factors that impact the cook time needed for chicken wings in an air fryer:
Wing Size
Smaller wings and wing sections like drumettes will cook faster than larger, whole wings. Whole chicken wings generally take 15-25 minutes in an air fryer depending on other factors. Small drumettes may only need 12-15 minutes.
Bone-In vs Boneless
Chicken wings with the bones still in will take longer to cook than boneless wings. The bones help retain heat and moisture which means the meat around the bones will take longer to reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
Fresh vs Frozen
Frozen chicken wings will take 5-10 minutes longer than fresh wings since they start at a lower temperature. Thawing frozen wings before air frying is recommended for more even cooking.
Quantity
The more wings in the air fryer basket, the longer they will take to cook since the airflow is reduced. Cook times are based on a single layer of wings in the basket. Overcrowding will increase cook time.
Doneness Preference
The longer chicken wings cook, the crispier they will get on the outside. An extra 5-10 minutes can make wings crunchy. But don’t overcook them to the point they become dried out.
Recommended Air Fryer Cook Times for Chicken Wings
Based on the above factors, here are some general guidelines for air fryer chicken wings:
| Chicken Wing Type | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Fresh bone-in wings | 15-20 minutes at 400°F |
| Frozen bone-in wings | 20-25 minutes at 400°F |
| Fresh bone-in drumettes | 12-15 minutes at 400°F |
| Fresh boneless wings | 10-12 minutes at 400°F |
Tips for Air Frying Chicken Wings
Follow these tips for the best air fryer chicken wings:
– Pat wings dry before seasoning to help crisping.
– Coat wings lightly in oil before adding dry seasoning or sauce.
– Use a single layer and avoid overcrowding the basket.
– Set air fryer temperature between 380-400°F. Higher heat = crispier skin.
– Shake basket or toss wings halfway during cooking for even browning.
– Brush wings with sauce only during last 5-10 minutes if adding it.
– Check internal temperature in thickest part reaches 165°F.
– Let wings rest 5 minutes before serving for juicier meat.
How to Know When Wings are Done
It can be tricky figuring out exactly when chicken wings are finished cooking in an air fryer if you don’t have experience using one. Here are some signs to look for:
– The skin is deep golden brown and crispy looking.
– An instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a wing reads 165°F.
– The wings feel firm when squeezed gently with tongs.
– The meat inside looks opaque white, not pink.
– Prick a wing with a fork and the juices run clear, not pink.
– The bones wiggle freely when you move the wings.
– They pass the bite test – the texture is crispy outside, tender and juicy inside.
Don’t rely solely on the total cook time recommended in a recipe. Always verify doneness using a thermometer and visual checks before removing wings from the air fryer. Cook times can vary.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
It’s easy to end up with less than ideal results when cooking wings in an air fryer if you aren’t familiar with how they work. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
– Not patting the wings dry before seasoning – this prevents crisping.
– Skipping oiling the wings before adding seasonings – the oil facilitates browning.
– Overloading the basket which slows cooking.
– Not preheating the air fryer before adding wings.
– Insufficient preheat before adding frozen wings.
– Cooking at too low of a temperature. They need high heat to get crispy.
– Not shaking the basket midway through cooking.
– Brushing with sauces too early before the skin crisps.
– Pulling wings out based on cook time and not checking doneness.
Tips for the Best Air Fried Chicken Wings
Here are some extra tips and tricks to take your air fried chicken wings to the next level:
– Separate the wings into drumettes and flats to cook more evenly.
– Add baking powder to the seasoning mix to help crisping.
– Use a dry rub instead of sauce for a super crispy exterior.
– Make sure the wings are bone-dry after rinsing and patting dry.
– Let wings come fully up to room temp after removing from fridge before cooking.
– Line the air fryer basket with foil or a baking mat for easier cleanup.
– Give the basket a shake every 5 minutes while they cook.
– Use a meat thermometer to check doneness in the thickest part.
– Toss cooked wings in sauce after air frying instead of before.
– Serve wings with dipping sauces on the side.
Tasty Air Fryer Wing Recipes to Try
Take your air fried wings to new heights with these flavorful recipes:
Simple Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Ingredients:
2 lbs chicken wings, patted dry
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp seasoning blend (like ranch, lemon pepper, etc.)
Instructions:
1. Pat wings completely dry with paper towels.
2. Toss dry wings with olive oil in a bowl until lightly coated.
3. Sprinkle with seasoning blend and toss again to coat evenly.
4. Arrange wings in a single layer in air fryer basket.
5. Cook at 400°F for 18-22 minutes, shaking basket halfway through.
6. Check wings are 165°F internally and crispy exterior.
7. Enjoy as is, or toss with your favorite wing sauce.
BBQ Air Fried Chicken Wings
Ingredients:
24 chicken wings, patted dry
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1⁄2 tsp salt
1⁄2 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder and salt.
2. Toss dry wings with oil in a large bowl. Sprinkle with seasoning mixture.
3. Cook wings in a single layer at 400°F for 15 minutes, shaking halfway.
4. Toss cooked wings with BBQ sauce until coated.
5. Return to air fryer and cook 5 more minutes.
6. Check wings are 165°F internally and sauce is sticky.
7. Serve immediately.
Sweet Chili Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Ingredients:
3 lbs chicken wings, patted dry
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1⁄2 tsp cayenne pepper
3 tbsp brown sugar
1⁄4 cup sweet chili sauce
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
1. In small bowl, mix chili powder, cumin, cayenne, brown sugar.
2. Toss dry wings with oil, then rub spice mix all over to coat evenly.
3. Cook wings at 400°F for 17-20 minutes, shaking occasionally.
4. In another bowl, mix chili sauce, lime juice.
5. Toss cooked wings in sauce to coat.
6. Return to air fryer 2-3 minutes until sticky.
7. Check wings are 165°F internally.
8. Garnish with sesame seeds, jalapeños, and cilantro.
Storing Leftover Air Fried Wings
Air fried chicken wings retain their texture best when eaten fresh. But leftovers can be kept for several days in the refrigerator or freezer. Here are some storage tips:
– Let cooked wings cool completely before storing.
– Place wings in airtight containers or resealable bags.
– Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
– Reheat in a 400°F oven or air fryer until hot, about 10 minutes.
– Frozen wings will last 1-2 months in a freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
– Sauced wings may lose their crispiness when stored. Eat them the same day for best texture.
– For crispier reheated wings, place them on a lightly oiled baking sheet at 400°F for 8-10 minutes.
Troubleshooting Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Having issues getting your air fried chicken wings just right? Here are some common problems and how to fix them:
Wings not crispy:
– Pat wings very dry before seasoning
– Don’t overcrowd the basket
– Make sure air fryer is fully preheated
– Cook at a higher temp like 400°F
– Let wings fully come to room temp before cooking
Wings overcooked and dried out:
– Don’t cook too long based on time alone
– Use an instant read thermometer to check temp
– Cook fresh not frozen wings
– Brush wings with oil before seasoning
Wings cooked unevenly:
– Cut wings into drumettes and flats
– Give basket a shake midway through cooking
– Don’t overload the air fryer basket
Wings too greasy:
– Pat off excess marinade before cooking
– Use nonstick spray instead of oil
– Drain on paper towels after cooking
Breading won’t stick:
– Make sure wings are dry before coating
– Use thick breadcrumbs not fine
– Press breading onto wings to adhere
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about making chicken wings in an air fryer:
Should I flip the wings during cooking?
Flipping isn’t necessary if you shake the basket halfway through. The hot air circulates to cook all sides.
Can I cook frozen wings in my air fryer?
Yes, though you may need to add 5-10 extra minutes to the cook time. Make sure frozen wings are thawed enough that ice crystals are not visible before air frying.
Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
Yes, always preheat your air fryer before adding the chicken wings to ensure it reaches the proper cooking temperature quickly.
Should I oil or spray my air fryer basket?
You can, but it’s not necessary if the wings are lightly oiled first. Oiling the basket makes cleanup easier.
What temperature should I cook wings at?
The optimal air fryer temperature for crispy wings is 380-400°F. Higher heat equals crispier skin.
How can I get saucier wings?
Brush cooked wings with sauce during last 5-10 mins to let it thicken. You can also toss cooked wings in extra sauce before serving.
Conclusion
Cooking juicy, crispy chicken wings in an air fryer is easy and fast with the right techniques. Pat wings dry, oil lightly, and cook at 400°F for 15-25 minutes depending on size and amount. Shake basket midway for even browning. Check internal temp reaches 165°F and appearance is browned and crisped. Adjust cook times as needed based on your model. Refer to time ranges given here and watch closely as air fryers can vary. With a few tries, you’ll turn out tasty wings perfectly cooked in your air fryer every time.