These Air Fryer Chicken Wings are crispy outside, juicy inside, and tossed in a simple buffalo sauce. They are naturally gluten free and ready in 30 minutes.
Learning how to air fry chicken wings takes one batch. Season the wings with salt and pepper, cook them at 400°F for about 25 minutes, then toss them in melted butter, hot sauce, and garlic powder. That's it. No deep fryer and no pot of oil. Football season is here, so make a double batch!
Do you have an air fryer yet? I know you don't want another appliance on the counter, but mine gives wings a fried texture I can't get in the oven. An air fryer is a small convection oven. A fan blows hot air around the food so the skin crisps up. I also use mine for air fryer chicken thighs.
It's simple to use and easy to clean. Mine is too small, so I cook wings in batches. Make sure yours is big enough to hold the wings in one layer. Want more ideas? Try these air fryer recipes. For game day, I also serve Grape Jelly Meatballs.
How long to cook chicken wings
Air fry raw chicken wings at 400°F for about 25 minutes. Flip them at least once. They are done when the thickest wing reads 165°F on an instant-read thermometer. Toss them in the sauce right before serving.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Chicken wings - Raw wings, split at the joint into flats and drumettes, tips removed.
- Unsalted butter - Melts into the sauce and tames the heat.
- Hot sauce - I use Frank's RedHot Original. Any cayenne pepper hot sauce works.
- Garlic powder - Goes into the sauce.
- Salt and pepper - For seasoning the wings before they cook.
- Cooking spray - A plain oil spray keeps the wings from sticking.
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing - For dipping, with celery and carrot sticks.
See the recipe card for amounts.
Are Air Fryer Chicken Wings Gluten Free?
Plain chicken wings are naturally gluten free. Gluten sneaks in through the sauce, the seasoning, and the dip. Check these labels.
- Hot sauce. Plain cayenne hot sauce is usually peppers, vinegar, and salt. Flavored wing sauces can add thickeners or soy sauce, which often has wheat. Read the label.
- Seasoning blends. Plain garlic powder, salt, and pepper are fine. Premixed blends like Cajun or lemon pepper can contain wheat flour or malt. Buy one labeled gluten free.
- Ranch and blue cheese dressing. Some bottled dressings use malt vinegar or wheat starch. Look for a gluten free label.
- Cooking spray. Baking sprays like Baker's Joy contain flour. Use a plain oil spray.
- Frozen or sauced wings. Breaded or pre-sauced wings from the freezer case often contain wheat. Buy plain raw wings.
What can go wrong? A basket that just cooked breaded chicken nuggets or mozzarella sticks can leave crumbs behind. Wash the basket before you cook wings for anyone who must avoid gluten.
How to Air Fry Chicken Wings
Prep the Wings
Pat the wings dry with paper towels. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Season the wings with salt and pepper.
Air Fry at 400°F
Place the wings in a single layer in the basket. Do not stack them. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for about 25 minutes. Flip the wings at least once.
Make the Buffalo Sauce
Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl, checking every 30 seconds. Stir in the hot sauce and garlic powder.
Toss and Serve
Toss the hot wings in the sauce. Serve right away with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings Time and Temperature
| Wings | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Raw wings | 400°F | About 25 minutes, flip once |
| Leftover wings | 400°F | 5 to 10 minutes |
| Frozen wings | 400°F | Longer than raw, up to 50% longer |
Every air fryer runs a little different. A small basket means cooking in batches. Always check that the thickest wing reads 165°F.
Tips
How long does it take to cook chicken wings in the air fryer? Raw wings take about 25 minutes at 400°F. Flip them at least once while they cook.
Pat them dry. Dry skin gets crispy. Wet skin steams.
Don't crowd the basket. The air needs room to move. Cook in batches if you have to.
Sauce at the end. Toss the wings in sauce right before serving so the skin stays crisp.
Why aren't my wings crispy? Usually the basket was too full, or the wings were wet. Dry them well, give them space, and cook a few more minutes.
Wing Sauce Variations
Buffalo is the classic, but the same wings work with almost any sauce. Toss the cooked wings in one of these instead.
- Lemon pepper - Melted butter and lemon pepper seasoning.
- Garlic parmesan - Melted butter, garlic powder and grated parmesan.
- BBQ - Your favorite barbecue sauce. Check the label for wheat or malt vinegar.
- Dry rub - Skip the sauce. Season the raw wings with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and a little brown sugar before cooking.
- Extra hot - Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the buffalo sauce.
Love that buffalo flavor? Try these buffalo flavored recipes.
Game Day Serving Ideas
Set out celery, carrot sticks, and a bowl of ranch or blue cheese. Then round out the spread with grape jelly meatballs, mini pigs in a blanket, and bang bang chicken skewers.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings FAQ
400°F. That heat crisps the skin and cooks the wings through in about 25 minutes.
About 25 minutes for raw wings at 400°F. Flip them at least once. Check that the thickest wing reads 165°F.
No. Put the wings in the basket, then set it to 400°F.
Yes. They take longer, up to 50% longer than thawed wings. Cook them until the center reaches 165°F.
No. This recipe uses neither. Dry wings, a single layer and 400°F do the work.
Cook them at 400°F for 5 to 10 minutes.
An air fryer is a small countertop convection oven. I like it for wings because it gives a fried texture I can't get in my oven.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 1 lbs chicken wings, raw
- ⅓ cup hot sauce
- 3 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Season the chicken wings generously with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in a single layer in the bottom of the air fryer and turn the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cook the wings for about 25 minutes, flipping at least once while cooking.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter checking every 30 seconds. Mix butter with red hot sauce and garlic powder.
- When chicken wings are finished cooking toss them with the sauce and serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
All nutritional information provided is an estimate. For specific dietary needs or concerns, we recommend consulting a nutrition calculator or a qualified expert.
Karen Kelly
Karen Kelly is a nationally syndicated food and travel writer, founder of Seasonal Cravings, and co-founder of The Roam Report. She develops approachable seasonal recipes and covers travel and lifestyle trends. Her work has appeared in numerous media outlets, including Yahoo, Taste of Home, Apple News, NBC, FOX, and other national and regional publications.
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