Learn how to make wings in the air fryer. These air fryer wings extra crispy are easy to make, and they taste better in the air fryer. I made mine as BBQ wings, but you can make garlic parmesan or use your favorite wing sauce.

How to Make Chicken Wings in Air Fryer

Name: How to Make Wings in Air Fryer
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken wings; 1/3 teaspoon table salt; Pepper; 1 tablespoon baking powder or 1/4 teaspoon baking soda (optional); BBQ sauce; Olive oil or cooking spray

My dad gave me a basket style air fryer a few years ago for Christmas. We've used it so much that the handle to the basket is broken and the suggested temperatures on the front are long gone from being washed so much.

I really like the air fryer, but I wanted a toaster oven style The hubby got me the PowerXL air fryer for Christmas. I love it!

It's an air fryer, grill, toaster oven, and more. My kids use it a few times a day, and I like that I can make meals for our family of 5 in it.

I was making air fryer wings crispy in my basket air fryer, but I was excited to try them in the larger air fryer so I didn't have to stack them.

Game changer! After you learn how to make wings in air fryer, you won't make them any other way! Serve these with this pizza bites recipe for a quick and fun dinner idea.

Check out these posts for more air fryer recipes:

Is It Better to Bake or Air Fry Wings?

Baked wings are tender, but they don't get very crispy. I've tried all of the tricks to make them crispy in the oven, but I prefer air fryer wings recipe crispy.

I also think the air fryer is easier because the wings don't stick to the basket like they do a sheet pan. Even with foil and using a spray, the wings stick, and I lose the crispy part anyway.

How Long Do Wings Take in the Air Fryer?

The best air fryer wings take about 25 minutes in the air fryer. I've had some large wings take longer, and my new air fryer takes longer than my basket style.

Definitely keep an eye on them and add more time as needed.

Can I Air Fry Frozen Wings?

Yes, you can air fry frozen wings. However, for air fryer wings crispy, it's best to let them thaw. This is because the secret to how to make air fryer wings extra crispy is by removing as much water as you can.

Frozen wings will have ice crystals. While the wings will taste great, they might not get as crispy as they would if you used thawed wings.

Can You Stack Wings in an Air Fryer?

Yes, you can stack wings for the best air fryer wings. However, the skin will only get crispy if it's exposed to the hot air.

For air fryer wings extra crispy, I recommend not stacking your wings. If you need to stack them, then move them around every 10 minutes so the hot air can reach more of the skin.

How Do You Crisp Wings in an Air Fryer?

Here are some tips for how to make wings in air fryer crispy:

I like to air fry my wings at the same temperature just to make life easier. However, you can make air fryer wings extra crispy by frying for 15 minutes at 250 degrees F and then flip and increase the temperature to 425 degrees F until crispy.
Let the wings come to room temperature before cooking. If they can warm up for 20 to 30 minutes before cooking, they get crispy.
Pat the wings dry with paper towels. The water is what makes wings soggy, so try to remove as much as you can.
Use about 1/3 of a teaspoon per pound of wings. Too much salt can draw out water, which makes wings soggy.
Sprinkle baking powder on the wings and toss to coat before air frying. This really helps make air fryer wings crispy.
Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray. If your wings stick, you'll lose the crispy skin.
Technically, you can stack wings when you learn how to make chicken wings in air fryer. However, any part of the wing that is covered won't get crispy. It's best to lay the wings flat and give them plenty of room so the air can circulate.
For the best air fryer wings, flip them half way through cooking. This helps them cook evenly and helps ensure air can flow all around the wing.
Use a meat thermometer to check to see if your wings are done. They should be 165 degrees F.

Does Baking Powder Make Chicken Crispy?

Yes, baking powder is the secret for air fryer wings extra crispy. When you combine baking powder and salt, it dries out the skin so it gets crispy.

Use 1 tablespoon baking powder per pound of chicken.

Does Baking Soda Make Wings Crispy?

Baking soda can help make air fryer wings crispy. Baking soda is an alkaline substance, so it raises the pH of the skin of the chicken. This helps break down the peptides faster so the skin gets nice and brown while baking.

Personally, I prefer baking powder. But you can also use baking soda. Add about 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda per 2-3 pounds of chicken.

Do You Put Sauce on Wings Before or After Cooking?

I put sauce on these best air fryer wings after cooking. I do season the chicken wings with salt and pepper before cooking though.

I used a BBQ sauce to make my air fryer wings recipe crispy. However, you can use your favorite wing sauce.

We really like garlic parmesan sauce for wings.

Best Air Fryer Wings Ingredients

You'll need the following to learn how to make chicken wings in air fryer:

1 pound chicken wings
1/3 teaspoon table salt
Pepper
1 tablespoon baking powder or 1/4 teaspoon baking soda (optional)
BBQ sauce
Olive oil or cooking spray