Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe – 5 Ways (Keto Whole30 Paleo) – How to make super crispy chicken wings in the air fryer, plus five tasty air fryer chicken wings recipes! 

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Why We Love Air-Fried Chicken Wings

  • A healthier alternative to deep frying (less oil means less calories and fat.)
  • The crispy skin!
  • Good source of protein.
  • A low carb option to include in an appetizer spread.
  • Totally customizable with your favorite seasoning, dry rub, or sauce!
  • Easier to make and less mess than deep fried wings.

The BEST Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe

Since first sharing with you the BEST and EASIEST way to cook chicken wings with these Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings, I’ve been on a mission to perfect a basic chicken wing recipe along with several tasty flavor combinations. After many trials and taste tests (no complaints from my husband!), I bring you this post! Here you’ll find the best method for cooking the best chicken wings (no added oil!) in the air fryer with super simple instructions and recipes for our favorite seasoned and sauced chicken wings.

On the fence about purchasing an Air Fryer? I was skeptical too at first but was quickly converted when I realized the amazing and perfectly crispy food with very little fuss that it produced! My favorite things to cook are roasted potatoes, chicken tenders, salmon, and even steak. But by far, one of the best and easiest things to cook in the air fryer is chicken wings. It saves you all the hassle of baking, frying, and broiling in separate steps just to achieve the perfect crispy wing. Read on for all my tips and tricks!

How to Make Crispy Chicken Wings in Air Fryer

Yes, there is a secret ingredient to making extra crispy wings in the air fryer – baking powder! Here is my formula for super crispy air fryer chicken wings:

  1. First, using paper towels, pat the wings until they are completely dry. My favorite source of organic chicken wings (and all meat!) is ButcherBox. Their meat is ethically sourced, top quality, and delivered right to your door! If you haven’t tried them yet, now is the time – they are offering a Free Wings for Life deal with purchase of your box!
  2. Next, add the wings to a large bowl and sprinkle any seasonings you are using over the top. Then add 1/2 tablespoon baking powder (per 1lb of wings) to the chicken wings and seasonings and toss well.
  3. Finally, cook the wings in the Air Fryer for about 20 minutes, flipping once throughout bake time.

The result every time is a crispy, crunchy skin just like they were deep fried!

How Long To Cook Wings in an Air Fryer

The short answer is about 20 minutes. For best results, follow this process:

  1. First, if desired, line the basket of your air fryer with a parchment paper liner. This helps with clean up!
  2. Spread your seasoned chicken wings in a single layer without crowding them (my air fryer comfortably holds 1 lb of chicken wings at a time.)
  3. Set the Air Fryer to 400 degrees – I’ve tried setting my air fryer at different temperatures, from 380-400 degrees, with pretty consistent results – for 10 minutes. Flip the wings and cook for an additional 10 minutes until they are golden brown.
  4. Depending on how crispy/done you like your chicken wings, cook for 3-5 additional minutes if desired. A safe internal temperature for chicken is 165 degrees.

Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipes

Whether you’re in the mood for naked wings, spicy wings, or saucy/sticky wings, I have you covered! Feel free to use your own favorite sauce or try one of my favorite tried and true recipes that are husband/kid approved and super easy to make! Bonus: most of these recipes require only two or three ingredients!

  • Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings – sprinkle wings with salt, black pepper, and baking powder. Bake according to directions. Add sauce or dip as desired.
  • Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings – make Salt & Pepper Wings as instructed and toss cooked wings in buffalo sauce. Serve with Ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing, and carrot sticks and celery sticks.
  • Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Wings – toss wings with Homemade Blackened Seasoning Mix and baking powder. Bake as directed.
  • Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings – toss wings with Lemon Pepper Seasoning and baking powder. Bake as directed.
  • Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings – make Salt & Pepper wings as instructed and toss cooked wings in honey garlic sauce. Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
  • Other Variations: Try these super delicious Garlic Parmesan Wings or see my Homemade Seasoning Blends for other ideas on how to season the chicken wings!

Air Fryer Chicken Wings Nutrition & Macros

Chicken Wings cooked in the Air Fryer are a healthy option and your best choice if you are trying to limit your calorie intake from fat and carbs in your diet. They have significantly less grams of fat than their deep-fried counterpart, without sacrificing on flavor, and are a good source of protein!

Air-Fried Wings have roughly 300 calories and 20 grams of fat per 1/2 lb of wings (mix of flats and drumsticks.)

Air Fryer Chicken Wings Macros

The following macros are for 1/2 lb of Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings (no sauce included.)

Protein – 23 grams

Fat – 20 grams

Carbs – 2 grams

More Game Day Recipes

Healthy 7 Layer Dip

Everything Bagel Hummus

Healthier Buffalo Chicken Dip

Homemade Fresh Salsa & Guacamole

Cowboy Caviar Salsa

 

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings

Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Wings

Air Fryer Lemon Pepper CHicken Wings

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe - 5 Ways (Keto Whole30 Paleo)

Servings: 2 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Author: Nikki
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian
Keyword: air fryer, asian chicken wings, buffalo chicken wings, chicken wings, honey garlic chicken wings, lemon pepper chicken wings, naked chicken wings
Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe - 5 Ways (Keto Whole30 Paleo) - How to make super crispy chicken wings in the air fryer, plus five tasty air fryer chicken wings recipes! 
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Ingredients 

Air Fryer Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings

  • 1 lb chicken wings
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 tablespoon baking powder

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings

  • 1 lb cooked salt and pepper chicken wings
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons hot sauce

Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Wings

  • 1 lb chicken wings
  • 1/2 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon homemade blackened seasoning, see recipe below

Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

  • 1 lb chicken wings
  • 1/2 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

  • 1 lb cooked Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons coconut aminos, or soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1/4 teaspoon arrowroot powder, or cornstarch

Equipment

Instructions

Air Fryer Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings

  • Pat wings dry with paper towels
  • Toss wings with salt, pepper, and baking powder in a large bowl
  • Spread wings in a single layer in air fryer basket and set at 400 degrees for 10 minutes
  • Flip wings and cook for an additional 10 minutes
  • Toss in sauce if desired or serve with dressing/dip.

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings

  • Bake wings as instructed above
  • Combine melted butter and hot sauce in a small bowl. Whisk well.
  • Toss cooked wings in sauce and serve.

Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Wings

  • Pat wings dry with paper towels
  • Add wings to a large bowl and sprinkle with Blackened Seasoning and baking powder. Toss to coat.
  • Place wings in a single layer in air fryer basket and bake as directed above.

Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

  • Pat wings dry with paper towels
  • Add wings to a large bowl and sprinkle with Lemon Pepper Seasoning and baking powder.
  • Place wings in a single layer in air fryer basket and bake as directed above.

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

  • Bake Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings as directed above.
  • Combine honey, coconut aminos, water, garlic, and arrowroot powder in a small saucepan. Whisk well.
  • Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.
  • Toss cooked wings in sauce and serve.

Notes

Note: Nutrition facts are for Salt & Pepper Wings recipe only
Click here for Blackened Seasoning recipe
For Whole30, omit the baking powder. The Honey Garlic wings are not Whole30 approved.

Nutrition

Calories: 276kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 94mg, Sodium: 1255mg, Potassium: 494mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 180IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 145mg, Iron: 1mg

 

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