Amazing 3-Step Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
You can achieve incredibly crispy chicken wings right in your air fryer with this simple, tested recipe. We combine Amelia’s planning precision with Jacob’s cooking intuition to bring you the perfect crunch without deep frying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer/Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs chicken wings, separated into flats and drumettes
- 1 tablespoon baking powder (aluminum-free is best for crispiness)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Pat the chicken wings completely dry using paper towels. This step is critical for crispiness.
- In a large bowl, combine the baking powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Add the dried wings to the bowl and toss until every piece is lightly and evenly coated with the dry rub.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C).
- Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is space between each piece for air circulation. Do not overcrowd.
- Air fry for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C).
- Cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, checking frequently until the skin is deeply golden brown and extremely crisp.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately.
Notes
- Baking powder reacts with the chicken skin, raising the pH and helping the skin dry out faster for maximum crunch.
- Always ensure the wings are fully dry before seasoning; moisture prevents crisping.
- If you prefer saucy wings, toss them in your favorite sauce immediately after they come out of the air fryer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 wings
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 90mg