These hot and spicy air fryer chicken wings are a healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried wings, and they're just as crispy and delicious!
Using an air fryer for chicken wings is nothing short of a game-changer! You'll find yourself whipping up batches far more frequently once you give it a try.
Air frying guarantees tender, juicy meat with a crispy skin that's hard to achieve with oven baking.
So, whether you are planning a cosy family dinner or looking for the perfect appetiser for a weekend gathering, these air-fried chicken wings are guaranteed to steal the spotlight!
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- Air frying is a healthier alternative to traditional frying. With an air fryer, you can enjoy fried foods without the added calories and fat from oil.
- Achieving that perfect crispy skin is a breeze with an air fryer. The advanced technology ensures even circulation of hot air, rendering the skin nice and crispy while keeping the inside juicy and tender, a balance that's often hard to achieve in conventional ovens.
- The air fryer significantly cuts down the cooking time, meaning you can enjoy your hot and spicy chicken wings without a long wait, making it a great option for quick meals or unexpected guests.
- Say goodbye to the messy splatters and greasy residues often associated with frying. The air fryer makes the cleanup process a breeze, saving you time and effort, and letting you focus more on enjoying your meal.
🛒 Ingredient notes
Chicken Wings - you'll need 1kg of fresh chicken wings.
Vegetable Oil - a small amount of oil is needed for air frying. This helps create the crispy skin on the wings.
Seasonings - garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, sriracha sauce, salt & pepper.
How an air fryer works
An air fryer works by circulating hot air around the food. The air is heated by an electric coil, and a fan circulates the hot air around the food, cooking it from all sides. The result is a crispy, golden-brown exterior and a juicy, tender interior.
Air frying is a much healthier alternative to traditional frying because it uses little to no oil. Traditional frying requires a large amount of oil to cook the food, which adds calories and fat. Air frying also produces less mess and is faster than traditional frying.
🔪 How to cook chicken wings in air fryer
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F).
Two: Place the chicken wings in a large bowl and mix in the seasoning and vegetable oil. Mix until the wings are evenly coated. You can do this up to 24 hours before and leave them in the fridge until ready to air fry.
Three: Place the chicken wings in a single layer in your air fryer basket and air fry for 15-18 minutes until golden and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 75°C.
Four: Allow to cool for a minute before serving.
💭 Expert tips
- Pat dry the chicken wings with a paper towel before marinating them. This will remove any excess moisture and help them get really crispy.
- For the best flavour, marinate the wings in the spice mix overnight, but at the very least 30 minutes.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. You might want to cook the wings in two batches.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Air fryer chicken wings make a delicious appetiser or main course.
Once the wings are cooked, serve them hot with your favourite dipping sauce, such as ranch, sour cream, or blue cheese.
You can also serve them with a side of celery and carrot sticks to balance out the salty flavour of the wings.
Or, why not pair the crispy wings with a side of golden french fries or sweet potato fries, crunchy apple coleslaw, and air fryer garlic bread for a hearty meal.
📖 Variations
- If you prefer sweet over spicy, try coating your chicken wings with some runny honey. You can also mix the honey with some soy sauce for a sweet and salty flavour combination.
- Korean fried chicken is a popular dish that has gained popularity in recent years. To make Korean style chicken wings, coat the wings in a mixture of soy sauce, honey, and sesame seeds. You can also add some gochujang (Korean chilli paste) for some extra heat.
- Lemon pepper wings are a classic flavour that's easy to make in your air fryer. Simply coat the wings in a mixture of lemon juice, pepper, and melted butter.
- Marinate the wings in a spicy and tangy tandoori paste, serving with a side of mint yogurt dip for an Indian starter.
🥡 Storage
Air fryer chicken wings are best eaten hot and fresh!
Store - Place the cooked cooled wings in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Freeze - If you want to store them for a longer period, you can freeze the wings. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the wings to airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat - If you have leftover chicken wings, you can easily reheat them in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) and cook the wings for 5-7 minutes, or until they are heated through and crispy again. Avoid reheating the wings for too long, as this can cause them to become dry and overcooked. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until hot and crispy.
❓ Frequently asked questions
The number of calories in air fryer chicken wings depends on the size and type of wings, as well as the cooking method and any sauces or seasonings used. As a general rule, a serving of six chicken wings contains around 400-500 calories.
To make your air fryer chicken wings crispy, you should pat the wings dry with a paper towel before seasoning them. You can also use a small amount of oil or cooking spray to help the wings crisp up. Additionally, make sure that you don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this can result in soggy wings.
The safe internal temperature for cooked chicken wings is 165°F (75°C). Using a meat thermometer is the best way to ensure they have reached the proper temperature.
You might consider serving your wings with dips like Greek yogurt ranch, hummus, guacamole, or a light blue cheese dip to keep the meal on the healthier side.
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Recipe
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Hot & Spicy!)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 kg Chicken Wings
- 2 teaspoon Vegetable Oil
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 1½ tablespoon Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha or other chilli sauce
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F).
- Place the chicken wings in a large bowl and mix in the seasoning and vegetable oil. Mix until the wings are evenly coated. You can do this up to 24 hours before and leave them in the fridge until ready to air fry.1 kg Chicken Wings, 2 teaspoon Vegetable Oil, 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder, 1½ tablespoon Paprika, ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper, 1 tablespoon Sriracha, ½ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- Place the chicken wings in a single layer in your air fryer basket and air fry for 15-18 minutes until golden and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 75°C.
- Allow to cool for a minute before serving.
Notes
- Pat dry the chicken wings with a paper towel before marinating them. This will remove any excess moisture and help them get really crispy.
- For the best flavour, marinate the wings in the spice mix overnight, but at the very least 30 minutes.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. You might want to cook the wings in two batches.
- If you prefer sweet over spicy, try coating your chicken wings with some runny honey. You can also mix the honey with some soy sauce for a sweet and salty flavour combination.
- Korean fried chicken is a popular dish that has gained popularity in recent years. To make Korean style chicken wings, coat the wings in a mixture of soy sauce, honey, and sesame seeds. You can also add some gochujang (Korean chilli paste) for some extra heat.
- Lemon pepper wings are a classic flavour that's easy to make in your air fryer. Simply coat the wings in a mixture of lemon juice, pepper, and melted butter.
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