Ingredients

One of the best things about this Air Fryer Hot Wings recipe is you don’t need a ton of ingredients. Most of them you probably already have at home.

Party Wings

Grab about 2.5 lbs of frozen party wings (drums and flats) from the freezer section of your grocery store. You can buy unfrozen as well, but it’s typically more expensive for fewer wings.

They’ll yield the same delicious result. Just make sure you thaw them before cooking.

Quick Homemade Hot Wings Seasoning

I like to rub my wings with a little seasoning before air frying them. For this, I use cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Homemade Hot Wings Buffalo Sauce

The sauce for these Air Fryer Hot Wings is easy to make. It contains butter, Frank’s Red Hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, oregano, cayenne, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Substitutions & Variations:

To make this hot sauce less spicy, simply omit or use less cayenne. To make it spicier, add more cayenne. You can use whatever hot sauce you like; however, Frank’s is my favorite. If you decide to use another brand, just ensure it’s a traditional hot sauce, as flavored hot sauces will change the overall taste. You can also use store-bought sauce if you wish. My favorites when I don’t have time to make my own are Buffalo Wild Wing’s Medium and Spicy Garlic sauces. Other sauces like Garlic Parmesan, Nashville Hot, Honey Mustard, Asian, or BBQ are also all delicious options.

Crispy Air Fryer Hot Wings Instructions

Dry Rub Chicken Wings

Rinse chicken wings with cold water and pat dry. Mix seasoning spices together in a small bowl then shake evenly over wings (both sides).

Air Fryers

The only special equipment you’ll need for these Air Fryer Hot Wings is… an air fryer. Here’s the one we have. We love it. Not only are air fryers great for guilt-free deep frying alternatives, but you can also use them to reheat delivery food. Nothing is worse than getting food delivered only to find your fries are soggy. Tossing them into the air fryer brings them back to life.

Air Frying Hot Wings

Spray the basket of the air fryer with non-stick olive or avocado oil spray. Place wings in a single layer, avoiding overlapping. You’ll probably have to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. You can overlap wings; however, it’ll take longer for them to cook that way. Air fryers work by circulating air around the food. If they can’t circulate properly, they won’t get crispy. Spray the tops of the wings with olive oil spray as well to help them crisp up better. Air fry the chicken wings at 400 degrees for 12 minutes then flip and air fry for another 10-15 minutes or until they’ve reached 165 degrees and your desired crispiness.

Oven Instructions

If you don’t have an air fryer or would just prefer to use the oven, that’s fine too! Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray or line it with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Spread chicken wings out in a single layer, not touching or overlapping. Bake wings for 25-35 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees and they’ve reached your desired crispiness.

Prepare Hot Sauce

While the chicken wings are air frying or baking, prepare your sauce. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoning. Bring to a slight boil, reduce heat, and simmer for about eight minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.

Toss Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Sauce

Remove chicken wings from air fryer and place on a paper towel-lined plate as you work in batches. Allow to cool slightly before adding to a large bowl. Pour hot wing sauce over the top and toss to combine.

Tips:

• If you like your hot wings extra crispy, cook them a little longer. If you prefer them juicier, cook them a little less (just make sure they reach 165 degrees internally). Be flexible with your cooking times.
• Some people swear by adding baking powder or cornstarch to make the wings extra crispy. I don’t find that necessary, though.
• If you’re serving a group who likes differing levels of sauce (light or extra saucy), serve the sauce on the side. Allow your guests to add their own or dunk naked wings if they prefer.

Serving Instructions:

Serve air fryer hot wings while they’re hot. Include a side of celery and carrots, as well as Ranch and/or Blue Cheese. A side of the hot wing sauce for dipping is also nice for anyone who wants extra. And don’t forget plenty of napkins!

FAQs

Can I put raw chicken wings in the air fryer?

Yes, the chicken wings used in this air fryer hot wing recipe are raw. If you’re used to preparing already cooked food in your air fryer, these will need more time (around 25-30 minutes).

My wings are whole. Can I cook them that way or how do I separate them?

If your wings are whole, you’ll need to separate them into drums and flats. Find the joint that connects the two, and with a sharp knife slice through firmly.

What is the fastest method for thawing chicken wings?

The most reliable method for thawing chicken wings is in the refrigerator. However, it does take longer that way. If I need to make wings on the same day and they’re frozen, I’ll leave them in a bowl on the counter at room temperature. The fastest method for thawing chicken wings, though, is by placing them in a bowl of cold water. I never recommend thawing in the microwave.

How do I make my Air Fryer Hot Wings crispier?

Simply cook them longer to yield a crispier exterior. You can also turn the temperature up slightly.

Are Air Fryer Chicken Wings healthy?

Wings themselves contain more fat than a chicken breast, and the sauce for these air fryer hot wings has a decent amount of butter, but air frying eliminates the extra calories and fat that standard deep frying entails. These wings are high in protein and can be considered low carb or keto for anyone on those diets.

Storage and Reheating Instructions:

Store these Air Fryer Hot Wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The hot buffalo sauce can last up to five days. Reheat in the oven or back in the air fryer at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes.

Serve with…

I like to make these Air Fryer Hot Wings for the Super Bowl, family game nights, or parties. Therefore, I like to serve them with other party food or appetizers! Fries are an obvious choice, but try pairing them with Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla, Easy Homemade Bagel Bites, Hot Cajun Crab Dip, Loaded Potato Skins, Bell Pepper Nachos, or Extra Crispy Onion Rings.

As for drinks? Of course, beer (especially a lighter variety like a Pilsner) goes great with hot wings. For something different, try a sparkling wine. The slight sweetness and bubbles cut through the buffalo sauce, and they actually pair deliciously together. I love Prosecco or Sparkling Rose.

If you enjoyed this recipe you might also enjoy…

Air Fryer Reuben Egg Rolls, Nashville Hot Chicken Tacos, Lemon Feta Drumsticks.