If you like chicken wings, you will LOVE these Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings! These have crispy skin, juicy meat, and cook quickly thanks to the air fryer. This is an easy recipe to make, too!
Whether you're looking for a tasty Game Day snack or a quick and easy family dinner, these crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings will surely satisfy!
Everyone in our family is a huge fan of chicken wings, and for us, this air fryer recipe makes the best chicken wings! And I hope you will love it, too!
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🌟 Why you'll love this air fryer recipe
I've made a lot of wings in my lifetime. They really do make the perfect appetizer. From Super Bowl ready honey bourbon wings to this tangy asian wings recipe to these fancier cranberry pomegranate sticky wings.
But this crispy air fryer wings recipe is the one my family makes the most often -- and the one they all love the best.
These chicken wings are:
- Crispy crunchy on the outside.
- Juicy and tender inside.
- Require less than 5 ingredients.
- Cook up in under 30 minutes!
And one of the best parts? It's such an EASY recipe -- probably one of the easiest air fryer recipes you'll ever make!
I especially love using the air fryer instead of a deep fryer, because the forced circulating hot air is a healthier way to make tasty wings in a fraction of the time. The cooking time is also so much faster than compared to cooking them on a baking sheet in a conventional oven.
As seen on The Drew Barrymore Show!
Even Drew Barrymore deemed them worthy enough to have me make these air fryer chicken wings on her TV show!
Watch me make these delicious chicken wings on The Drew Barrymore Show!
🍗 Ingredient notes
You just need less than five simple ingredients to make the crispiest wings!
Chicken wings - in the US, a lot of people like to serve their wings split into drumettes, wingettes, and they discard the wing tips. I prefer to cook the whole wings all together. No waste! But you do what you prefer.
Arrowroot starch - this is what gives the wings their super crispy skin without frying. Alternatively, you can substitute cornstarch, potato starch, or even baking powder for arrowroot starch.
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 for these wings.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
Making chicken wings in the air fryer couldn't be easier.
- In a large bowl, season the chicken wings and coat with arrowroot starch.
- Lightly oil the bottom of the air fryer basket.
- Place the chicken wings in a single 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? Extra crispy wings you can serve for game day, or any day!
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
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.
Yes, you can. You'll need to add a few minutes to the cook time and be sure to check them toward the end for your desired level of crispiness.
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!
🍽 Serving ideas
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 Dressing, buffalo sauce, bbq sauce, blue cheese dressing, or hot sauce, along with some celery sticks.
For a Game Day spread: serve these wings alongside Instant Pot BBQ Ribs, Tex Mex Vegetarian Nachos, and Slow Cooker Honey Bourbon Meatballs.
For an easy weeknight dinner: serve these air fryer wings with Air Fryer Corn Ribs, Air Fryer Broccoli, or Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
🛒 Kitchen tools and equipment
Ready to make these chicken wings?
The main thing you'll need to make this air fryer chicken wing recipe is an air fryer. We have and LOVE this dual zone air fryer. It's perfect for our family of four, as we can often cook a main dish in one basket and side dish in the other basket.
If you're looking for an all-in-one multicooker for pressure cooking, air frying, and more, check out the Ninja Foodi Deluxe XL multicooker. We love ours and it serves as another air fryer in the house!
🐓 More easy chicken recipes
Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
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!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
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 :)
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! :)
Sara Welch says
What a great recipe for my air fryer! These will be perfect for Super Bowl, indeed!
Adriana says
wow, these chicken wings look incredible! I definitely need an air fryer pronto!!
Tawnie Kroll says
You are totally convincing me that I need an air fryer - these look incredible!!
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!
Mahy says
These chicken wings are absolutely amazing - I can't wait to get my hands dirty devouring these yummies! :-)