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It’s wing time! Whip up a batch of sizzling, golden-brown and crispy air fryer chicken wings with sriracha dipping sauce, and savor the tender, juicy perfection!
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe
Whether I’m making a meal out of them, or just serving a few as a tempting appetizer, wings make me happy! I love the crispy crunch and juicy interior of perfectly fried chicken wings, and the sauces! Oh my! From homemade ranch to buffalo dip, and to today’s awesome sriracha option, there are so many mouthwatering choices!
And, this easy air fryer chicken wings recipe makes it simpler than ever to make authentic “fried” wings. You only need cooking spray, seasonings, and there’s hardly any cleanup.
Recipe Ingredients
These crave-worthy air fryer chicken wings are perfectly delicious on their own, or with the hot and spicy Sriracha dipping sauce! Gather the following ingredients and get on making these as soon as you can because they are sure to become a favorite!
For the Wings
- Wings: This recipe is for 2 pounds of chicken wings. I like the wings separated into flats and drums.
- Zest of one Lemon: Lime works great, too!
- Salt: One teaspoon, or to taste.
- Paprika: You can use sweet or smoked paprika, whichever you like or have on hand.
- Garlic Powder: Easy to use and provides tons of flavor!
- Baking Powder: The secret ingredient to making crispy chicken wings.
- Thyme: I use a teaspoon of dried thyme here.
- Cayenne: Just ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper gives a nice kick! Feel free to omit this if you want milder wings.
- Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper, to taste.
For the Dipping Sauce
- Sriracha: You’ll need ¼ cup of sriracha sauce for this recipe.
- Butter: 3 tablespoons butter, unsalted
- Garlic Salt: Just ¼ teaspoon of garlic salt, or to taste.
How to Cook Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer
I love cooking in my Air Fryer. It’s such an easy and healthier way to make your favorite fried foods, without using an obscene amount of oil or making a mess.
- Season the Chicken Wings. Using paper towels, thoroughly pat dry the chicken wings. Place the chicken wings in a bowl and add the lemon zest, salt, paprika, garlic powder, baking powder, thyme, cayenne, and black pepper; toss the wings gently to coat.
- Prep the Air Fryer. Coat the inside of the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Set the cooking temperature to 400˚F.
- Fry the Wings in Batches. Arrange the chicken wings in the air fryer basket in one single layer with spaces in between. (Don’t try to fit all the chicken wings at once; you will need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding.) Spray the wings with cooking oil, and bake for 8 minutes or so per side, flipping and spraying again with oil in between cooking.
How Long Do Wings Take in the Air Fryer?
I find that it takes wings anywhere from 8 to 12 minutes per side, or 16 to 24 minutes total. That’s because chicken wings vary in size and thickness. If you’re using large wings, give them more time to cook. You’ll know they’re done when the meat separates easily from the bones, the chicken is tender, and the juices run clear. Nonetheless, please use an internal meat thermometer and insert it into the thickest area of the wing, being careful to avoid the bone. When wings’ internal temperature registers at 165˚F, they’re done.
How to Make the Dipping Sauce
While the wings are cooking, prepare the sauce:
- Simmer the Sauce Ingredients. Place the sriracha sauce, butter, and garlic salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Bring to a simmer, whisking continuously until the butter melts.
- Adjust Seasoning. Remove from the heat; taste for salt, and adjust as needed.
- Serve. Plate up the fried wings and serve with dipping sauce.
Recipe Tips
- Fit More Wings: If you stand some of the wings up along the sides of the air fryer, you can fit more inside. Drums work best for this, standing straight-up on the thicker end.
- Try Baking Powder: This has long been a “secret” for being nice, crispy fried chicken! Just add about a teaspoon of baking powder to your seasoning mixture. It will help the chicken cook up extra-crispy and golden brown.
- Pat the Wings Dry: For extra crispy wings, pat them dry with paper towels before seasoning. Removing moisture helps them crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.
- Toss in Oil: Lightly toss the wings in a bit of oil before air frying. This helps the seasoning stick and encourages an even crisp without adding too much fat.
- Flip for Even Cooking: To ensure both sides get crispy, flip the wings halfway through cooking. This gives you that golden-brown goodness all around.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Just like with your oven, preheating the air fryer for a few minutes before adding the wings can make a big difference in cooking consistency and crispiness.
- Season After Cooking: For maximum flavor, try seasoning the wings after they’re cooked. Toss them in your favorite sauces or dry rubs while they’re still hot.
Serving Suggestions
What kind of side dishes do you like to serve with chicken wings? While veggie sticks and bleu cheese are always popular, there are so many other cool ideas out there to try! Some of my favorites include crispy sweet potato wedges—a nutritious and delicious option that the whole family will love.
Another great option is this cheesy broccoli casserole with bacon—like mac and cheese but even better, making it a perfect pairing for crispy wings. And if you love fresh veggies with your wings, why not go for a Mediterranean cobb salad? This hearty, colorful salad is fresh, crunchy, and absolutely stunning next to a plate of wings!
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- To refrigerate, place the wings in shallow, airtight containers and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, place the wings on a sheet pan or other baking dish, and bake at 350˚F until heated through.
ENJOY!
More Easy Chicken Recipes to Try
- Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce
- Creamy Coconut Milk Chicken
- Crack Chicken
- Easy Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe
- Beer Battered Fried Chicken
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Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Ingredients
For the Wings
- 2 pounds skin-on and bone-in chicken wings,, separated at the joints, wing tips discarded (see notes if counting WW Points)
- zest of 1 lemon,, (lime works great, too!)
- 1 teaspoon salt,, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon sweet or smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne,, optional
- freshly ground black pepper,, to taste
For the Dipping Sauce
- ¼ cup sriracha sauce,, or use Frank's Hot Sauce for less heat
- 3 tablespoons butter,, unsalted
- ¼ teaspoon garlic salt,, or to taste
- chopped fresh parsley,, for garnish
- lemon wedges, , for serving
Instructions
- Using paper towels, thoroughly pat dry the chicken wings.
- Place chicken wings in a bowl and add lemon zest, salt, paprika, garlic powder, baking powder, thyme, cayenne, and black pepper; toss to coat evenly.
- Coat the inside of the air fryer with cooking spray.
- Set Air Fryer to 400˚F.
- Arrange chicken wings in the Air Fryer basket in one single layer with spaces in between. Don’t try to fit all the chicken wings at once; you have to cook them in batches.
- Spray wings with cooking oil and cook for 8 minutes.
- Flip over the chicken wings; spray with cooking oil and continue to cook for 8 more minutes, or until chicken wings are golden brown and cooked through. Larger chicken wings will need more time to cook through. Use an instant read thermometer for accuracy; chicken wings are done when internal temperature registers at 165˚F. DO NOT measure the temperature near a bone.
In the meantime, prepare the Sauce:
- Place sriracha sauce, butter, and garlic salt in a small saucepan; set the saucepan over medium-low heat and bring to a simmer, whisking continuously until the butter melts.
- Remove from heat; taste for salt and adjust accordingly.
- Garnish chicken wings with parsley and serve with lemon wedges and prepared Hot Sauce.
Equipment
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Oh so good!! My kids couldn’t stop eating!! They really loved it!
That’s great! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! ๐
These Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings would disappear in our house!
These look so yummy and tasty! I can’t wait to give these a try! So excited!
Thank YOU! I hope you enjoy it! ๐
Oh my goodness! I can’t resist to these chicken wings!
The wings turned out perfect!!
This Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Sriracha Dipping Sauce needs to be added to our weeknight dinner rotation!
I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! ๐
Beautiful color and texture, and the taste is amaaaaazing!
Thank YOU! I’m glad you enjoyed it! ๐
The sriracha!!! Oh my gosh, it was SO good and now I’ll forever make wings like this! Thank you!
That’s great! I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! ๐
I will never make chicken wings any other way than this from now on! So easy and clean up was a breeze. The sauce was a wonderful addition. Loved it.
That’s great to hear! ๐ I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! ๐
This is really amazing! The sriracha butter sauce was a huge hit at my house!!
Thank you so much! I am very glad you enjoyed it! ๐