Air fryer whole chicken wings make a great quick and easy meal. They are versatile, very quick to cook, and air frying means they will be perfectly crispy on the outside and succulent in the middle. Pair with fries or a salad for an easy midweek dinner.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Air fryer chicken wings can make a great meal, but portioned chicken wings are a bit fiddly, and better as a snack or appetizer if you ask me. I prefer to cook whole chicken wings if we are having them for a main meal. And air frying is my favorite way to cook them!
We love air fried chicken. It is so quick and easy, and is so great for getting crispy results due to the action of the hot air. Some of our favorites are air fried chicken legs, air fryer chicken breast, and roast chicken.
Seasoning
If you want to get the chicken really crispy, pat it dry before you season it.
For seasoning, I often use store-bought chicken spices, but you can easily make your own. Try using salt, ground pepper, paprika, and ground cumin for a simple homemade mix.
Some of our favorite seasonings for chicken wings are:
- Lemon pepper
- Rosemary and thyme
- Garlic salt
- Cajun
- Paprika and cayenne pepper
Just add a little oil first, then rub the seasoning on with a little salt.
How to cook whole chicken wings in an air fryer
1. Season the chicken wings. Place seasoning in a bowl with olive oil, add the chicken wings and toss to coat. Alternatively, use the cheat’s method: leaving the wings in the air fryer basket, spray them with oil, then carefully sprinkle seasoning on top. Press seasoning in with tongs, then flip the wings over and do the same to the other side.
2. Place chicken wings in the air fryer. The chicken wings should be placed in the air fryer basket in a single layer. It is OK if they are slightly touching, but try to ensure there is space around them so the hot air flow can reach all surfaces of the wings.
3. Cook the wings. Air fry the wings at 320°F / 160°C for twenty to twenty-five minutes, flipping them over half way through the cooking time. Check to see that they have reached 165°F / 74°C or higher in the thickest part, and air fry for a few additional minutes if required.
How long to air fry whole chicken wings
The cooking times for whole chicken wings is usually longer than for cooking chicken wing portions because the pieces are larger and will take longer to cook through.
The important thing with getting the cooking times right with chicken is always to ensure that the internal temperature in the center of the thickest part is 165°F / 74°C or higher using an instant read thermometer.
Variations
You can also use a dry rub or a marinade in place of the seasoning in this recipe.
For a dry rub, place wings in a large bowl, liberally cover with the dry rub, then rub it into the and under the skin of the chicken until it is well covered. Air fry immediately.
To use a marinade, place the wings and marinade in a large zip-lock bag, seal and ensure that the wings are covered by the marinade. Leave in a refrigerator for a few hours or overnight, then drain and discard the marinade and gently pat the wings dry before air frying.
Air Fryer Whole Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 1 lb / 450 g whole chicken wings
- 2 teaspoons chicken seasoning (or more if required)
- 1 teaspoon kosher/flaked salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
- Preheat the air fryer to 320°F / 160°C.
- Place seasoning, salt and oil to a large bowl and mix.
- Add chicken wings to the bowl and toss to coat with the seasoning.
- Place chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket skin-side down.
- Air fry wings at 320°F / 160°C for 20-25 minutes, flipping them over halfway through the cooking time.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure that the wings have reached the safe temperature of 165°F / 74°C in the center of the thickest part. Air fry for an additional few minutes if required.
- Toss with your favorite sauce, and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and provided for informational purposes only.