Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Wings
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings with a classic Buffalo-style finish — perfect for game day or an easy American dinner. Baking powder and a thorough pat-dry deliver shatteringly crisp skin at 380°F, and an instant-read thermometer confirms a safe 165°F. High-protein, weeknight-friendly, and ready in about 35 minutes.
🛒Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings, separated into drumettes and flats, tips discarded
- 1 tablespoon aluminum-free baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup Frank's RedHot or similar cayenne hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Celery sticks and carrot sticks, for serving
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for serving
🔧Kitchen Tools Needed
- Air fryer
- Instant-read thermometer
- Paper towels
- Large mixing bowl
- Tongs
- Small saucepan
- Pastry brush or oil spray
📝Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels. Moisture is the enemy of crisp skin — take an extra minute here.
- 2
In a large bowl, toss the wings with baking powder, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne until evenly coated. The baking powder raises the skin’s pH so it browns and crisps in the air fryer.
- 3
Lightly brush or spray the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange the wings in a single layer without overcrowding (cook in batches if needed).
- 4
Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 12 minutes. Flip the wings, then continue at 380°F for another 10–12 minutes until the skin is deep golden and crispy.
- 5
Check doneness with an instant-read thermometer: the thickest part of the meat (not touching bone) must reach at least 165°F (74°C). If needed, cook 2–3 minutes more.
- 6
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in hot sauce, honey, and Worcestershire until smooth; keep warm.
- 7
Transfer hot wings to a clean bowl, pour on the sauce, and toss to coat. Serve immediately with celery, carrots, and ranch or blue cheese.
🥗Nutrition Information
⚡Calories per serving: 420
🏷️Recipe Tags
❓Frequently Asked Questions
Why use baking powder on air fryer wings?
Aluminum-free baking powder dries the skin and encourages browning, giving you oven-crispy texture without deep frying. Do not substitute baking soda — it tastes bitter.
What internal temperature are chicken wings done?
Chicken is food-safe at 165°F (74°C). For extra-tender wings, many cooks go to 175–185°F near the bone; always verify with a thermometer.
Can I cook frozen wings in the air fryer?
Thaw overnight in the fridge first, then pat dry. Cooking from frozen traps steam and prevents crisp skin.
How do I keep leftovers crispy?
Store sauce separately if possible. Reheat plain wings at 350°F in the air fryer for 4–6 minutes, then toss in warmed sauce.
