If you like crispy chicken wings, you will LOVE these Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings!
As Seen On the Drew Barrymore Show!
Watch me make these delicious chicken wings on The Drew Barrymore Show!
The Big Game is Sunday! What game day food will you be serving?
If you're like most Americans, you'll likely be stuffing your face with some chicken wings while cheering on your fave team. According to the National Chicken Council's Annual Chicken Wing Report (yes, that's a thing!), Americans are projected to eat 1.4 billion chicken wings on Super Bowl Sunday.
1.4 BILLION wings. In one day!
So I think if you're going to be eating wings this weekend, you had better be serving some MIGHTY TASTY wings. Right?
The Best Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
I've made a lot of wings in my lifetime. From game day ready honey bourbon wings to this tangy asian wings recipe to these fancier cranberry pomegranate sticky wings.
But this air fryer chicken wings recipe, you guys, is THE BEST wings recipe I've ever tested for the blog. Truly!
Even Drew Barrymore deemed them worthy enough to have me make these air fryer chicken wings on her show! Check it out!
And one of the best parts? It's also the EASIEST wings recipe I've ever made!
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Making chicken wings in the air fryer couldn't be easier.
- Season the chicken wings.
- Lightly oil the bottom of the air fryer insert.
- Place the chicken wings in one layer; you will likely need to air fry these in two batches.
- Air fry at 380°F for 12 minutes. Flip over the wings. Air fry at 400°F for another 12 minutes.
The result? The crispiest, juiciest, tastiest chicken wings you can serve for game day, or any day!
Are air fryer chicken wings healthy?
Because you are not deep frying these beautiful wings, this recipe is healthier than traditional fried wings. Air frying requires much less oil, so air fried wings tend to be lower in fat and calories.
That said, these are still chicken wings. The air fryer does not magically turn them into vegetables (wouldn't THAT be an amazing new appliance?). But if you're going to have fried chicken, then using this air fryer recipe is a healthier cooking option for sure!
What's the secret to making air fryer wings crispy?
The best part about using an air fryer is that you don't sacrifice flavor or texture at all. These air fryer wings are super crispy (just the way I love them!) thanks to a light coating of arrowroot starch flour.
Like regular flour, arrowroot is often used as a thickener in recipes with sauces, gravy, or soup. Unlike all-purpose flour, arrowroot is gluten-free. It's also vegan, paleo, and full of potassium, iron, and vitamin B.
You can also use cornstarch or potato starch and get a similar crispy skin. However, arrowroot starch flour contains more dietary fiber and more calcium than other starches. And, you truly only need a little bit - about 2 tablespoons per 3 pounds of wings - to help make these wings crispy.
I do NOT recommend using all-purpose flour, as the consistency is different and you won't get the same kind of crispiness. AP flour is great when making air fryer popcorn chicken, but not as fabulous for wings. Also, AP flour typically requires a little more oil to achieve the same crispy skin.
Can I air fry frozen wings?
Some people say you can air fry frozen wings... But much like I tell my children all the time: just because you CAN, doesn't mean you SHOULD! ;)
If you try to air fry frozen wings, they are likely to cook up unevenly. That leads to sad chicken. No one wants to eat sad chicken.
So if you do happen to have frozen wings you want to use for this recipe, simply thaw them completely before you start seasoning them for the air fryer.
What to serve with air fryer chicken wings?
For an Asian flavor, make this tangy Lime Cilantro Soy Sauce.
For a more traditional batch of wings, make this easy, yummy Dairy-Free Buttermilk Ranch Sauce.
Which Air Fryer Should I Buy?
We have this Air Fryer. It's made by GoWise, one of the leaders in the air fryer market. It's 5.8 quart, XL size, and is an 8-in-1 model. The extra large basket capacity makes this air fryer perfect for families with three people or more.
Interested in checking out the air fryer we use? Here it is, plus a couple of other air fryer options.
Air Fryers
We have the GoWise Air Fryer listed first. But here are two more air fryer options that are also well-known and loved in the food industry.
My Air Fryer: The GoWise XL 8-in-1
I have this 5.8 quart XL 8-in-1 GoWise Air Fryer. It's perfect for our family of four! Holds a lot of food in one batch and is easy to clean.
Ninja Foodie 7-in-1
This is a very popular combo appliance right now. It's an air fryer/instant pot/slow cooker and more.
GoWise 15-in-1
If you want an appliance that REALLY does it all, check out this GoWise 12.7 quart, 15-in-1 air fryer, rotisserie, dehydrater, and more.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
Instant Pot Filipino Chicken Adobo- Healthy 30-Minute Instant Pot Moroccan Chicken
- Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta (Dairy-Free)
- Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken
- Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken: Make Once, Eat Twice Recipe
Classic Chicken Marsala Recipe
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Equipment
Ingredients
- light oil* to grease the air fryer basket
- 3 lbs chicken wings
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot starch flour (can substitute potato starch or cornstarch)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Lightly oil the bottom of the air fryer basket.
- Pat all sides of chicken wings dry. Place in a large bowI and sprinkle arrowroot starch flour over, then use your hands to lightly coat all of the wings evenly. Season wings with salt and pepper. Place wings in a single even layer at the bottom of the air fryer insert.
- Air fry at 380°F for 12 minutes. Turn wings over, then air fry at 400°F for another 12 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature!
Notes
PIN IT:
Mahy says
These chicken wings are absolutely amazing - I can't wait to get my hands dirty devouring these yummies! :-)
Emily says
These chicken wings are delicious and I love that you can make them in the air fryer! Perfect for game day coming up!
Tawnie Kroll says
You are totally convincing me that I need an air fryer - these look incredible!!
Adriana says
wow, these chicken wings look incredible! I definitely need an air fryer pronto!!
Sara Welch says
What a great recipe for my air fryer! These will be perfect for Super Bowl, indeed!
Samantha Cadet says
These came out perfect! It was so crispy. I added a couple of more seasonings such as garlic powder and adobe. So good and takes only a small amount of oil :)
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
So glad to hear it, Samantha!! I bet it was delicious with your additions too! :)
Shai says
I don’t usual write reviews but I had to! I have spent years perfecting my fried chicken recipe and never thought in a million years I could have a healthy option. I was able to use my own seasoning blend and all the flavors I’m used to were still there without all the fat and greasiness. Thank you for this recipe!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Shai, thank you for trying the recipe and for leaving such a nice comment! I am so glad you liked it! We make these air fryer chicken wings a LOT in my house :)