This simple air fryer chicken wings recipe has you covered for the basics. Use your seasoning of choice, dry rub, marinade, spices, or sauce, and follow this basic recipe for chicken wings air fried to perfection.
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Air frying and chicken wings are a match made in heaven. Seriously. For perfectly crispy chicken wings that are succulent on the inside, and ready in no time at all you can’t go past air frying.
This recipe has the basic instructions for how to cook chicken wings in an air fryer. It uses fresh split chicken wings, you might also like to try my recipe for cooking whole chicken wings in an air fryer, or air frying chicken wings from frozen.
Scroll down to the recipe below for the step-by-step instructions, or read on for more details.
Seasoning
You can season chicken wings for air frying using any type of seasoning that you usually would, including dry rub, marinade, oil and spices, or sauce. The method is generally the same, though there are some slight variations.
- Dry rub: place chicken wings in a bowl, add dry rub and rub into the chicken skin.
- Seasoning or spice mix (try lemon pepper): place chicken wings in a bowl, add oil and seasoning, toss to coat
- Marinade: place chicken wings in a bowl or large zip-lock bag, add the marinade and ensure that the wings are well-coated. Cover the bowl or seal the bag and place in the refrigerator for at least half an hour. Drain the marinade prior to air frying.
- Sauce: brush sauce onto your chicken wings when they have 5 minutes of cooking time remaining.
Cooking Times
Chicken wings are cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
The exact cooking times will depend on a number of factors, including how large the chicken wings are, the starting temperature, and how powerful you model of air fryer is.
To be sure that your chicken wings are cooked adequately, it is always best to use an instant read meat thermometer.
Nutrition
Are air fryer chicken wings healthy? How many calories in air fryer chicken wings?
Good question! This all depends on what method you use to season them. If you are coating them in a rich sweet sauce then they will have more calories than if you use a dry rub and cook them without oil. So if you are looking for a calorie-light option, then use a dry rub or sugar-free seasoning.
The good news is, however you season them, they are healthier than the deep fried version!
Serving suggestions
Serve chicken wings as a snack or appetizer with a dipping sauce, or as a main meal with fries and/or a salad.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe Card

Air fryer Chicken Wings
How to cook chicken wings in an air fryer.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken wings, split at joint, remove tips
- olive oil spray
- Seasoning of your choice
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 355°F (180°C).
- Season chicken wings (see notes).
- Spray air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking
- Place chicken wings in air fryer basket in a single layer, skin side down.
- Air fry wings for 20 minutes, flipping them over half way through the cooking time.
- Use an instant read thermometer to ensure that this wings have reached 165°F (74°C) in the center of the thickest part.
- Toss with your favorite chicken wing sauce, and serve.
Notes
Seasoning:
- Dry rub: place chicken wings in a bowl, add dry rub and rub into the chicken skin.
- Seasoning or spice mix (try lemon pepper): place chicken wings in a bowl, add oil and seasoning, toss to coat
- Marinade: place chicken wings in a bowl or large zip-lock bag, add the marinade and ensure that the wings are well-coated. Cover the bowl or seal the bag and place in the refrigerator for at least half an hour. Drain the marinade prior to air frying.
- Sauce: brush sauce onto your chicken wings when they have 5 minutes of cooking time remaining.
Always confirm safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) has been reached at the thickest part before consuming.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 401Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 541mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 19g
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