Perfectly Crispy and Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe
Are you on the hunt for the ultimate air fryer chicken wings recipe that guarantees tender, juicy meat encased in irresistibly crispy, golden skin? Look no further! This foolproof recipe effortlessly delivers mouthwatering chicken wings, making it the top choice for those who crave a delicious and hassle-free meal.
With a simple list of ingredients, many of which you likely already have in your pantry, you can whip up air fryer chicken wings bursting with flavor and one that is difficult to resist. Yes, they are truly that incredible!
Why I Love This Recipe
Creating this recipe was an absolute joy. The simple truth is that I adore chicken wings, and I knew I could use my air fryer to create phenomenal wings. What I didn’t expect was just how amazing they would turn out! They are wonderfully crispy, incredibly savory, and perfectly seasoned – writing about them is making me hungry all over again. This has unquestionably been one of my most satisfying air fryer experiments, and I’m thrilled to share it with you.
Use Fresh Chicken Wings For Crispy Results
For the best results, opt for fresh chicken wings rather than frozen ones. If you only have frozen wings, we recommend thawing them first. Air frying relies on rapidly circulating hot air to achieve crispy perfection, and this is best achieved with fresh wings.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Simple Ingredients
We employ a straightforward dry rub seasoning that beautifully complements the natural flavor of the chicken. This savory blend of herbs and spices, when air fried, results in unbelievably flavorful and crispy wings. Each bite offers that delightful crunch and burst of flavor that will steal your heart. Our ingredient list includes:
- Oregano
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Salt
- Pepper
- Mustard powder
- Paprika
Preparation
Our recipe calls for chicken wing drumettes and flats, which are readily available at many supermarkets. However, if you only have whole chicken wings, that works too; we’ll simply need to do some trimming. Use a sharp butcher’s knife or kitchen scissors to cut at the joint connecting the drum and flat. Then, remove the wing tips at that joint. You can discard the tips or save them for making chicken stock later.
Drying the Wing Sections
After obtaining our wing drumettes and flats, it’s essential to pat them thoroughly dry with a paper towel. This step is crucial for achieving crispy skin during the air frying process. Excess moisture can lead to steaming rather than crisping.
Seasoning and Coating:
Mix all the dry ingredients in a small dish. Add the wings to a large mixing bowl and toss them with oil until they are evenly coated. Next, add the seasonings and toss again until the wings are well covered with the flavorful blend. That’s it—easy, right?
Air Fry At 390°(F) For 20-24 Minutes
The wings are now ready to go into a preheated air fryer. Ensure they are not stacked on top of each other; they should be in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray, depending on your appliance type. Use the air fry setting at 390°F for 20-24 minutes. The wings are done when their internal temperature reaches at least 165°F. You may find that the wings reach an internal temperature of 180°F-200°F, which is perfectly fine. In fact, it makes the meat inside even more tender. Wings hold up remarkably well with a higher internal temperature.
Once the wings are done, toss them with the drippings from the bottom of the basket for an extra boost of juicy flavor. And there you have it—perfectly crispy and juicy air fryer chicken wings!
How to Serve Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Chicken wings offer endless serving possibilities and pair wonderfully with various dipping sauces. Here are some of my favorite dipping sauce options:
- Ranch dressing with a sprinkle of coarse-ground black pepper for an added flavor kick.
- Blue Cheese Dressing.
- BBQ Sauce.
- Honey Garlic Sauce.
- For those seeking some heat, any hot sauce or buffalo sauce will do the trick.
To complement these herb-seasoned wings, consider serving fresh celery sticks and carrot sticks. Additionally, side dishes like potato salad or coleslaw make excellent choices to turn these wings into a complete meal.
Crispy air fryer chicken wings are herb crusted and cooked to perfection in under 30 minutes.
Is it Possible to Increase the Recipe Quantity?
If you wish to prepare more than the 18 wings specified in this recipe, you can simply double the quantity of ingredients for the seasoning mix. However, we strongly recommend air frying them in multiple batches. To ensure effective crisping and cooking, it’s essential that the circulating air can reach all sides of the chicken wings easily. Avoid overcrowding the basket or tray and refrain from stacking the wings on top of each other; a single layer is ideal. A snug fit is acceptable, as there will be some shrinkage during cooking. Nevertheless, overcrowding or stacking should be avoided.
Are These Air Fryer Chicken Wings Spicy?
These wings do not contain any spicy ingredients; their flavor profile is notably savory. If you desire some heat, you can add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix. Alternatively, you can use ½ to 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper for added spiciness.
Can Prepared Yellow Mustard be Substituted for Ground Mustard?
We do not recommend substituting regular prepared mustard for ground mustard in this recipe. To achieve the desired crispiness, it’s essential to keep all the ingredients dry. If you don’t have ground mustard, simply omit it. However, ground mustard is a versatile and budget-friendly ingredient that can enhance many recipes. Consider picking some up on your next trip to the supermarket.
How to Reheat in the Air Fryer?
Reheating cooked chicken wings in the air fryer is not difficult. Preheat to 380°F and heat for 5-8 minutes for the best results.
How to Store Cooked Chicken Wings?
Store the cooked chicken wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Why Aren’t My Wings Crispy in the Air Fryer?
Achieving crispy wings in the air fryer begins with starting with defrosted wing sections (wingettes) that have been patted dry. Excess moisture can lead to steaming instead of crisping. Keep paper towels on hand to thoroughly pat the wings dry before adding oil or seasonings.
Additionally, ensure that you don’t overcrowd your air fryer with overly large batches of wings. For effective air frying, the wings need space. Arrange them in a single layer without stacking or crowding, allowing each wing some room around it. This will enable proper circulation of hot air and result in crispy wings.
Pairing Suggestions
Apart from the serving suggestions mentioned above, chicken wings go wonderfully with coleslaw for that satisfying crunch. Our Country Creamy Coleslaw is an excellent choice and pairs perfectly with these wings.
Another delectable pairing for chicken wings is macaroni and cheese. The two complement each other splendidly. Try our Best Damn Instant Pot Mac and Cheese, which is rich, creamy, and bursting with flavor.
Here are some related recipes you can try:
Air Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Cornstarch, Flour or Baking Powder
Delicious Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Strips
Crispy Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Delicious Air Fryer Chicken Legs and Thighs with Honey, Mustard, and Garlic
Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Air Fryer Hibachi Chicken with Delectable Yum Yum Sauce
Tyson Buffalo Wings In Air Fryer – Recipe For Chicken Lovers
Tyson Frozen Chicken Wings in Air Fryer
Perfectly Crispy and Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken wings fresh, flats and drumettes, about 18 pieces
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp thyme dried
- 2 tsp rosemary dried
- 2 tsp oregano dried
- 1 tsp ground mustard
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Mix all dry ingredients. Set aside.
- Add chicken wings to a large bowl or zip-top bag and toss with vegetable oil. Add seasoning mix and toss to coat all the chicken well.
- Preheat air fryer for 5 minutes at 390°(F).
- Add chicken wings to tray or basket of air fryer. Air fry at 390°(F) for 20-24 minutes. Shake basket/turn wings 2-3 times during cooking for even crisping.
- When done, remove wings to a large bowl and toss with and drippings from bottom of air fryer basket or drip tray.
