Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe

We’re huge fans of chicken wings in my house—who doesn’t love wings? This quick, easy, and healthy recipe allows us to enjoy them when the craving hits. These wings are unbelievably crispy and I love coming up with different sauces to toss them in. This air-fryer chicken wings recipe was inspired by my love of Asian food and hit the spot every time! Enjoy these as a snack on their own, or pair them with my chili lime potato stacks or a cup of hot and sour soup made with the leftover spicy broth from this recipe.

Why you’ll love this air-fryer chicken wings recipe

Super crispy - The 2-step cooking method used in this recipe results in the crispiest wings. Quick and Healthy - Using an air fryer means a shorter cooking time and a lot less oil in the recipe. Prep ahead - Boil the chicken wings and make the sauce a day or two ahead of time. Simply air fry and toss the wings in the sauce when you want to serve them. Low-carb and gluten-free - This recipe is great if you’re looking for a low-carb or gluten-free entree.

Ingredient notes

Baking Powder - A key ingredient in this recipe and what makes the chicken wings so crispy. Franks Hot Sauce - This is a tip from a friend who makes the best chicken wings. Cooking the wings and adding the hot sauce really flavors them from the inside. Vegetables - Adding a few basic vegetables you would add to any stock helps the taste of the wings and results in a delicious stock you can use as a base for all your other cooking.

Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients, measurements, and recipe instructions.

Substitutions & variations

Add a different sauce - These wings taste delicious tossed in traditional buffalo sauce, barbecue sauce, or any other flavor you want to experiment with. Use cornstarch - Baking soda works best, but cornstarch is a good substitute if necessary in this air-fryer chicken wings recipe. Try a dry rub - Toss the wings in a combination of your favorite dry spices, like garlic powder, white or black pepper, paprika, and even lemon pepper. Mix the spices and add them to the wings with some olive oil and baking powder; air fry and enjoy with ranch dressing. Use the leftover sauce - The Thai chili sauce tastes great as a glaze on any other meat, like Salmon, shrimp, or grilled chicken breasts. Use any leftover sauce, or double it up and freeze it for a later meal.

How to make this air fryer chicken wings recipe

First step - Add the chicken wings, along with all the vegetables and 8 cups of water, to a cooking pot and bring everything to a boil. Add the hot sauce and continue to cook for an additional 10 minutes. Second step - Remove the chicken wings, place them on a baking sheet with a rack, and allow them to dry out for about 10 minutes. Third step - Pat them dry and add the baking powder. Fourth step - Toss well in the baking powder. This will help absorb any residual moisture and also help thin out the skin for a perfect crispy texture.

Fifth step - While the wings are cooking at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, add all the ingredients for the sauce to a saucepan and cook on medium heat. Sixth step: Cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Once you have a cohesive mixture, turn the stove off. Seventh step - After 10 minutes of cooking, flip the wings and continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes until they have a crispy exterior on both sides. Eighth step - Add the cooked wings to the saucepan with the sauce and mix well. Allow them to sit in the sauce for 5 minutes before serving.