Air Fryer Chicken Wings

These Air Fryer Chicken Wings are the best and crispiest wings ever! Done in less than 20 minutes, you’ll never make wings another way again!

The Story

Air Fryer Wings & Blue Cheese Dreams

Several years ago, my husband Bill came home from visiting his sister Patty, absolutely raving about the chicken wings she’d made in her air fryer. He couldn’t stop talking about how crispy, juicy, and flavorful they were—without the mess of deep-frying. Naturally, I had to get my hands on one of those magical machines.

Once it arrived, the air fryer quickly became a staple in our kitchen—no gallons of oil, no grease splatters—just easy, delicious wings in minutes. I was hooked. That Christmas, I gifted air fryers to my adult children, my brother, and my sister. Let’s just say it was raining air fryers in our family that year.

I started experimenting with different seasonings and sauces to toss the wings in, and that’s when the fun really began. My brother fell head over heels for my homemade blue cheese sauce and insisted I share the recipe here. Check out the notes section for that ultra-simple, ultra-tasty sauce.

As for me? My favorite seasoning is Old Bay. Now, I’m allergic to shellfish, but I’ve always loved the taste of Old Bay seasoning. I thought, “If I put it on chicken, will it taste like lobster?” Spoiler alert: it still tastes like chicken, but a very flavorful, lip-smacking version. And just like that, a new wing flavor was born.

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Annette Law

Air Fryer Chicken Wings are a healthier way to prepare wings without deep frying or long cook time. Crisp on the outside and so tender.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 18 minutes mins

Total Time 21 minutes mins

Servings 10 wings

Calories 68 kcal

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Mixing Bowl

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x1/2x

• ▢ Cooking spray for air fryer basket
• ▢ 1 lb chicken wings split into flats and drummettes
• ▢ 1 tbsp olive oil
• ▢ 1/2 tsp paprika
• ▢ 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• ▢ 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• ▢ salt and pepper to taste
• ▢ ranch dressing for serving
• ▢ 1 tbsp fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

 

• Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. When heated, spray the basket with cooking spray.
• Pat the chicken wings dry. Then transfer them to a large bowl. Toss the wings with olive oil, paprika and garlic powder; then season with salt and pepper.
• Place the chicken wings in the air fryer so they are not touching. Cook for 10 minutes, then increase the temperature to 400°F, and cook until crisp and golden, about 6-8 more minutes.
• Garnish the chicken wings with parsley, and serve with ranch dressing on the side, if desired

Notes

Tossing sauce variations:

 

Blue Cheese

Combine 4 oz of Blue Cheese with 1 tablespoon of butter and melt in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds.  Pour over the hot wings and then toss until wings are thoroughly covered.

Parmesan Cheese

Finely grate parmesan cheese and sprinkle over hot wings, then toss until thoroughly covered.

Old Bay

Substitute Old Bay seasoning for paprika, garlic, onion powder, and pepper. Aadd a little  salt to taste.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container. They will last up to 4 days in the fridge. Reheat in an air fryer at 360°F for 4 minutes or in the microwave until heated through.
Freezing Instructions: Freeze the cooked wings for up to a month and thaw them in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Nutrition

Serving: 4piecesCalories: 68kcalCarbohydrates: 0.3gProtein: 5gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.05gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 18mgPotassium: 44mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.02gVitamin A: 85IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 0.3mg

Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content may vary depending on the brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and other factors.

Tried this recipe?Click here to rate and comment on it. We love to hear your story!