Cooking frozen wings in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make delicious buffalo-style chicken wings right at home. The air fryer gives the wings a crispy outside and tender, juicy inside with just a bit of oil. Frank’s Red Hot frozen wings are pre-seasoned with that classic spicy buffalo sauce flavor, so all you need is an air fryer and you can have restaurant-quality wings ready in no time. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook Frank’s Red Hot frozen wings perfectly in the air fryer.
Ingredients
To make Frank’s Red Hot frozen wings in the air fryer, you will need:
- 1 bag (2.5-3 lbs) Frank’s Red Hot frozen chicken wings
- Oil for misting or tossing (olive oil, avocado oil, or canola oil work well)
Equipment
You will need the following equipment:
- Air fryer (any size will work but adjust cooking time as needed for larger amounts)
- Cooking spray or oil mister
- Aluminum foil or parchment paper
- Large bowl for tossing wings
- Tongs
Preparing the Wings
Take the frozen wings straight from the freezer and let them thaw slightly for 10-15 minutes before cooking. This helps them cook more evenly. Meanwhile, prepare the air fryer basket.
Spray or brush a thin layer of oil over the bottom and sides of the air fryer basket. This helps prevent sticking. You can also line it with foil or parchment paper for easier cleanup.
Pat the wings dry with paper towels. The drier the wings, the crisper they will get. Letting them sit out for a few minutes helps draw off excess moisture from thawing.
Seasoning the Wings
Frank’s Red Hot frozen wings come pre-seasoned with a spicy buffalo sauce flavor. But you can add a bit more seasoning if desired:
- Cajun seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
To add more seasoning, toss the wings lightly in a bowl with about 1/2 teaspoon seasoning per pound of wings.
Misting the Wings with Oil
Right before air frying, mist the wings lightly with oil or nonstick spray. This gives them a crispy texture. You just need a light coating – about 1-2 teaspoons oil per pound of wings. Any neutral tasting oil works well like olive oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or canola oil.
You can mist the wings directly in the air fryer basket for quick and easy oiling. Or toss them gently in a bowl with a small amount of oil to evenly coat.
Cooking the Wings in the Air Fryer
To cook Frank’s frozen wings in the air fryer:
- Set the air fryer temperature to 400°F.
- Place wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding.
- Cook for 14-16 minutes, flipping half way.
- Increase temperature to 425°F.
- Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until crispy and cooked through.
The exact cooking time may vary based on the amount of wings and your specific air fryer model. Check for doneness after 14 minutes. The wings are fully cooked once the skin is crisp and the meat is 165°F internally.
For larger batches, you may need to cook in multiple air fryer loads. Just repeat with the remaining wings.
Tips for Crispy Air Fried Wings
Follow these tips for getting the crispiest air fried buffalo wings:
- Let the wings dry well before misting with oil – pat off excess moisture
- Use a light coating of oil – too much creates soggy wings
- Preheat air fryer before adding wings
- Cook at a high temp (400°F) to crisp the skin
- Avoid overcrowding the basket which steams rather than crisps
- Flip wings halfway during cooking
- Finish wings by cooking for a few minutes at an even higher temp (425°F)
Serving Suggestions
Frank’s Red Hot frozen wings cooked in the air fryer are delicious on their own, ready to eat right out of the basket. But here are some serving suggestions:
- Toss in extra Frank’s Red Hot sauce or other buffalo wing sauce
- Serve with blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or scallions
- Pair with crisp celery and carrot sticks
- Serve with french fries or potato wedges
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Cooked air fried wings will keep refrigerated for 3 to 4 days. To reheat, place them in a 400°F oven for 8-10 minutes until warmed through. They can go directly on a baking sheet or in an oven-safe dish. This will help maintain their crispiness compared to microwaving.
For long term freezing, let cooked wings cool completely then place in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Freeze until solid. Transfer frozen wings to freezer bags or containers for storing. To reheat, bake frozen wings at 400°F for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway.
Nutrition Facts
Here is the nutrition information for Frank’s Red Hot frozen wings cooked in an air fryer. The data is per 1 wing (about 1 oz) serving:
| Calories | 90 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 5g |
| Carbs | 1g |
| Protein | 6g |
As you can see, air fried wings are high in protein and relatively low in carbs when enjoying them without heavy dipping sauces or other high carb accompaniments. Enjoy these wings as a more health-conscious option compared to deep fried wings from restaurants or takeout. The air fryer helps create that crispy texture without all the excess oil of traditional frying methods.
Common Questions
What is the best oil to use for air frying wings?
Light, neutral tasting oils work best for air frying. Good options include olive oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or canola oil. Avoid heavy oils like coconut oil which can give an unpleasant flavor.
How long should you cook frozen wings in an air fryer?
Cook frozen wings at 400°F for 14-16 minutes, flipping halfway. Then increase heat to 425°F and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes to get them extra crispy.
Can you put frozen wings directly in the air fryer?
Yes, it is fine to put frozen wings straight into the air fryer with no thawing needed. Letting them sit out for 5-10 minutes helps remove some surface ice crystals so they cook more evenly. But they can go in frozen.
Do air fried wings need to be tossed in oil?
It’s not mandatory, but lightly misting or tossing the wings in a small amount of oil before air frying helps them get crispy and browned. Use just 1-2 teaspoons oil per pound of wings.
Is there a batter recipe for air fried wings?
Air fried wings develop a crispy coating from the dry heat of the air fryer. There is no need to coat them in batter or flour before cooking. Simply mist with oil and season as desired.
Conclusion
Air fried wings make for a quick and easy dinner or game day appetizer. Frank’s Red Hot frozen wings already have that spicy buffalo sauce flavor infused into the meat. Simply cook them in the air fryer until crispy and you have restaurant-quality wings in less time and with less mess and oil than deep frying at home. Adjust cooking times as needed based on the amount of wings and your air fryer model. And feel free to customize with extra seasoning or dipping sauces. Enjoy these easy peasy air fried buffalo wings!