Air fryers have become an increasingly popular kitchen appliance for making tasty fried foods with less oil. While you can make all kinds of foods in an air fryer, wings are one of the most popular options. The power air fryer oven offers a large capacity and versatile functions that make cooking wings easy and delicious.
Benefits of Cooking Wings in a Power Air Fryer Oven
There are several benefits to using a power air fryer oven to cook wings compared to deep frying or baking:
- Uses little to no oil – Air fryers cook food by rapidly circulating hot air rather than submerging it in oil, resulting in wings that are crispy on the outside with less grease.
- Quick cooking times – Wings cook much faster in an air fryer oven than in a traditional oven.
- Even cooking – The circulating hot air cooks wings evenly all over.
- Versatile – An air fryer oven lets you cook wings plain or toss them in sauce.
- Easy cleanup – With less mess and splatter, air fryer ovens are easier to clean up than deep frying.
Choosing Wings for Air Frying
You can cook most types of chicken wings in an air fryer oven, but here are some of the best options:
- Split wings – Split wings with the tip removed cook up extra crispy in an air fryer oven. The exposed inner bone helps them get crunchy.
- Drumettes – These mini drumsticks are juicy on the inside with crispy skin.
- Flats – Flat wings offer lots of skin that gets perfectly crispy.
- Whole wings – You can cook whole wings too, though they may take a few minutes longer.
How to Cook Wings in a Power Air Fryer Oven
Follow these simple steps for crispy, mouth-watering wings cooked in a power air fryer oven:
- Preheat air fryer oven to 400°F.
- Pat wings dry with paper towels. Make sure they are as dry as possible for crispier skin.
- Toss wings in 1-2 Tbsp olive oil or avocado oil. This helps the skin get crispy.
- Arrange wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them.
- Cook wings for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway. Check for doneness and continue cooking if needed.
- When done, toss wings in your favorite sauce or serve with dipping sauces on the side.
Cooking times may vary based on the size and quantity of wings. Larger, meatier wings may need a minute or two longer. Check wings periodically until cooked through and crispy.
Tips for the Best Air Fried Wings
Use these helpful tips to get perfect wings from your power air fryer oven every time:
- Don’t overcrowd – Give wings room to cook evenly. Cook in batches if needed.
- Flip halfway – Flipping wings midway ensures even browning.
- Brush with oil – Lightly coating wings in oil helps the skin get extra crispy.
- Season ahead – For lots of flavor, season wings before air frying with spices, herbs or dry rubs.
- Get crunchy skin – Pat wings very dry before cooking for crispiest skin possible.
- Toss in sauce – For saucy wings, toss cooked wings in sauce right before serving.
Air Fryer Oven Wing Cooking Chart
| Wing Type | Cook Time | Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Split Wings | 18-20 minutes | 400°F |
| Drumettes | 15-18 minutes | 400°F |
| Flats | 14-16 minutes | 400°F |
| Whole Wings | 22-25 minutes | 400°F |
Best Sauces and Rubs for Air Fried Wings
Air fried wings get an extra flavor boost paired with sauces and dry rubs. Here are some all-time favorites:
Sauces
- Buffalo – Classic spicy, buttery buffalo sauce is always a hit.
- BBQ – Sweet, sticky bbq sauce complements crispy wings.
- Teriyaki – Sweet and salty teriyaki is so good on air fried wings.
- Honey mustard – Tangy honey mustard sauce makes wings pop.
- Ranch – Cool ranch dressing dipping sauce cools spicy wings.
Dry Rubs
- Cajun – Spicy Cajun seasoning gives wings a kick.
- Lemon pepper – Zingy lemon pepper rub is a customer favorite.
- BBQ – Smoky bbq rub adds hearty bbq flavor.
- Jerk – Jamaican jerk seasoning provides both heat and flavor.
- Old Bay – Old Bay seasoning is great on air fried seafood too.
Serving Air Fried Wings
Here are some great ways to serve your freshly air fried wings:
- Right from the fryer basket – Crispy, hot wings straight from the air fryer are hard to beat!
- With dipping sauces – Offer array of dipping sauces like ranch, blue cheese and hot sauce for dipping.
- On a platter – Pile wings on a platter and let guests dive in.
- In a basket – Serve wings in a basket lined with parchment paper for a fun, casual presentation.
- With crunchy veggies – Offer fresh, crisp veggies like carrot and celery sticks on the side.
- Over salad – Toss air fried wings atop a fresh green salad for added protein.
Cleaning Your Air Fryer After Cooking Wings
While air fryers cut down on mess compared to deep frying, oils and sauces can still make air fryer baskets grimy. Follow these steps to clean your air fryer oven after cooking wings:
- Remove basket and wash with hot soapy water.
- Use a brush or sponge to scrub remaining stuck-on bits.
- Rinse basket well and dry thoroughly before returning to fryer.
- Wipe down outside of fryer with a damp cloth.
- Clean inside of fryer by running air fry mode for 5 minutes at 400°F.
- Let fryer cool completely before next use.
Be sure to read your particular model’s manual for any additional cleaning recommendations. Proper cleaning keeps your air fryer in top condition for crispy wings every time!
Storing Leftover Air Fried Wings
Have leftover wings after your air frying session? Here are some storage tips:
- Allow wings to cool completely before storing.
- Store wings in a sealed container in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking.
- Wings stay fresh in the fridge for 3-5 days.
- Reheat leftover wings in a 400°F oven until warmed through.
- Avoid reheating previously sauced wings to prevent sogginess.
- For crispiest wings, re-fry cooled plain wings in the air fryer.
Conclusion
With its quick cooking times and crispy results, an air fryer oven like the Power XL is the perfect appliance for making delicious wings at home. Follow the steps for prepping, cooking, saucing and serving wings for your best batch yet. With the right techniques and seasonings, you can enjoy restaurant-quality wings without all the grease!