Crispy and Delicious: How to Cook Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer

If you are a huge fan of chicken wings, you probably have tried cooking them using various methods. And if you’re a health enthusiast, cooking chicken wings in an air fryer is likely one, if not your best-preferred method. That’s because you don’t have to use hot oil, and you’ll still have delicious wings without the fats and calories.

So, have you ever made a batch of chicken wings in an air fryer? If not, then you’re in for a treat. These crispy chicken wings are second to none, and you’ll never think of ordering from a restaurant again; they’re the perfect appetizer and a quick weeknight dinner.

But first, how long should you cook chicken wings in an air fryer? Stay here to learn this and more about cooking wings in an air fryer.

How Long To Cook Chicken Wings In Air Fryer?

How long it takes to cook chicken wings in an air fryer depends on the size, the temperature, and the batch size. Generally, the larger the chicken wings, the longer they take to cook. Similarly, a larger batch of chicken wings takes more time than a smaller chicken wings batch.

As for temperature, various temperatures have different cooking times. For instance, cooking chicken wings in an air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit will take 10-15 minutes for them to be ready. Likewise, it takes 15-20 minutes to cook chicken wings in an air fryer at 380 degrees.

On the other hand, cooking chicken wings at 360 degrees in an air fryer takes 20-25 minutes to well-cooked. When cooking wings in an air fryer, ensure you flip them after every five minutes to ensure they cook and brown evenly. It’s also crucial to check the meat’s doneness and not rely on the timings alone.

Well-cooked chicken wings should attain an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to Cook Chicken Wings In Air Fryer

For this recipe, you’ll need the following:

•         Twelve whole wings – cut these up, so you end up with 24 wings.
•         Preferred sauce – use your favorite sauce. You can prepare your homemade sauce with a little cayenne pepper, hot sauce, and butter.
•         Olive oil – this is great for coating the wings before adding additional seasonings.
•         Garlic powder – enhance the flavor of the wings.
•         Baking powder – helps create crispy skin on the wings.
•         Salt and pepper – to taste.

Procedure

1. Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees and prepare the air fryer basket by spraying it with cooking spray.
2. Place the chicken wings in a large bowl and add olive oil.
3. Sprinkle the wings with garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and baking powder. Mix well.
4. Air fry the wings at 380 for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees, flipping them every five minutes.
5. Increase the temperature to 400 and cook for 2 minutes for a more crispy skin.
6. Remove from the air fryer, toss in your favorite sauce, serve alongside your preferred side dish and enjoy.

Recipe Tips

•         Don’t overcrowd the basket – cook a single layer of wings at a time and avoid overcrowding the basket. Overcrowding the basking prevents plenty of airflow between the wings, making them not cook evenly.
•         Add more spice – if you want your wing to have more heat, add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
•         Use a meat thermometer – ensure your chicken wings are well-cooked and have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees before consuming them.
•         Side dishes – chicken wings usually pair well with fresh vegetables like celery or carrot sticks. However, you can also serve your wings with other air fryer appetizers like onion rings or French fries. Or you can serve your wings alongside potato skins, mozzarella sticks, mini cheese puffs, or jalapeno peppers.
•         Dipping sauce – chicken wings taste better with a dip. So, don’t forget to serve them alongside your favorite dipping sauce. You can use ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, or a side of blue cheese dressing.
•         Baking powder – if you like your chicken wings crispier, don’t skip the baking powder, as that makes the wings extra crispy. You can skip the baking powder if you don’t like your wings crispy.
•         Cosori air fryer – this recipe uses a Cosori air fryer. So, if you use a different air fryer, you may have to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Remember, smaller wings cook faster than larger ones.

How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Like other meat products, don’t let your wings stay at room temperature longer than two hours. Doing so facilitates the growth of pathogenic and spoilage bacteria. So, as soon as your wings are cooled enough, refrigerate them.

When refrigerating, place your wings in airtight containers or Ziploc bags to prevent them from absorbing the odors of other foods in the fridge. Put your wings on the coolest shelf of your fridge, away from raw meats, and ensure you maintain your fridge temperature at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Consume your wings within five days.

If you’ve made more than you can finish in the next few days, freeze them. Place your wings in freezer bags or containers and seal them with foil to prevent the development of freezer burns. Your frozen chicken wings will be in peak conditions within one month.

How to Use Leftover Chicken Wings

You can use your leftover chicken wings in various meals. For instance:

• Salad – leftover air fryer chicken wings are great for any salad recipe, including spinach strawberry salad with balsamic poppy seed dressing.
• Pasta – add your wings to a vegetable spaghetti recipe like Brussels sprouts pasta with brown butter to boost the protein content.
• Pizza – you can make delicious buffalo chicken pizza with your leftover wings.
• Stir fry – you can use your wings to make a stir fry with vegetable lo mein.
• Sandwiches or wraps – use your leftover wings to make a chicken Caesar sandwich with bacon, or put them into an avocado grilled cheese sandwich with herbed goat cheese and garlic for extra protein.

Conclusion

How long it takes to cook chicken wings in an air fryer depends on the size of the wings, the temperature used, and the amount placed in the batch. For temperature, it takes 10-15 minutes to cook chicken wings in an air fryer at 400 degrees. Cooking wings at 380 and 360 degrees in the air fryer will take 15-20 and 20-25 minutes.