Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Name: Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 4-6 chicken wing pieces (frozen); 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/4 tsp cayenne powder; 1/2 tsp onion powder; 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; avocado oil spray

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These EASY AIR FRYER CHICKEN WINGS are so easy you will be making them all of the time. We use pantry staple seasonings to jazz them up. What is best about them? Well, no thawing! Cooking from frozen produces a perfect result and is a busy cooks best tool!

A plate of seasoned, baked chicken wings is arranged next to a small bowl of creamy dipping sauce, garnished with fresh herbs. The wings have a browned, crispy coating.

Our easy air fryer chicken wings are perfect for game day or even supper in a pinch. I have been trying to focus on some small batch cooking and have had a ton of fun using my air fryer. This recipe is simple but so dang good. We take a similar seasoning rub as our SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN and use it for these quick cooking beauties.

We cook them FROZEN too, which is a saving grace for me. I tend to forget to thaw and this recipe shows us how easy it is to cook quickly with no thawing wait time. We use avocado oil to accommodate the high heat in the air fryer with minimal over browning and season them up with some great stuff!

Ingredients

This recipe does a small batch so be sure to double everything if you need more. Trust me, you will want more!

A plate of seasoned, baked chicken wings is arranged around a clear bowl of white dipping sauce, garnished with fresh herbs. The wings are browned and appear crispy, with visible spices on the surface.

What You’ll Need

4-6 chicken wing pieces. We used flats and drummettes.
Salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder and smoked paprika.

See recipe card for full ingredient list and quantities.

Why You Will Love These Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings

No Thawing – that’s right, we cook them slightly to thaw, season them up and rock on. Easy peasy!
Low Carb – we don’t add any sweet stuff so they work well in a low carb diet.
High Protein – chicken is a high protein diets favorite friend, using the wing, gets us fat and protein!
Versatility – these are perfect as an appetizer but also work really well for a quick supper.

Instructions

We have two little cook times here. But that is to get the thawing process started so the chicken can take the seasoning. Still simple!

A wooden cutting board holds a pie tin with parchment paper, a small glass bowl, a fork, four spice jars, a can of avocado oil spray, and a bag of frozen chicken party wings on a stovetop.

Preheat the air fryer to 325° while we prep the chicken.

A person sprays oil over a parchment-lined air fryer basket next to four raw chicken wings, spice jars, and a bowl on a wooden countertop near a stove.

Lightly spray the liner for your tray or drawer with avocado oil.

A person sprays oil onto raw chicken wings placed in an air fryer basket lined with parchment. Four spice jars, a small bowl, and a fork are arranged on a wooden countertop next to the air fryer.

Place the frozen chicken inside and spray the tops with a bit of avocado oil. Place in the air fryer for about 10-15 minutes, turning halfway through.

A person holding a small jar of ground cayenne pepper above a wooden cutting board, which has jars of garlic powder, onion powder, and ground pepper, a fork, and other kitchen items on it.

While we do the first cook, add onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne and smoked paprika to a small bowl.

A person mixes brown seasoning in a glass bowl on a wooden cutting board. Four spice jars, a white spray bottle, and part of a bag of chips are visible nearby on a stove.

Mix well and set aside.

A person seasons raw chicken wings in an air fryer basket lined with parchment paper, with a pepper grinder, bowl of seasoning, utensils, and a stove visible on a wooden countertop.

After the 15 minute cook time is up, remove the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Up the temperature of the air fryer to 375°

A person sprinkles seasoning from a small bowl onto raw chicken pieces arranged in an air fryer basket on a wooden countertop, with kitchen utensils and a stove nearby.

Season one side of the chicken with half of the seasoning mix and spray lightly with oil. Air fry at 375° for about 10-15 minutes.

A person sprays oil over seasoned chicken pieces arranged on parchment paper in an air fryer basket. A bowl of seasoning, a salt cellar, a pepper grinder, and a stove are visible on the wooden countertop.

Turn them over, season with the remaining seasoning and lightly spray with oil. Cook again for another 10-15 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 160-165° internally.

A hand holds a partially eaten, seasoned chicken wing with a bit of white dipping sauce on it. More chicken wings and a small bowl of sauce are on a plate in the blurred background.

Let the wings rest and cool for about 5-10 minutes, serve and enjoy!

Why Brooke loves this recipe!

Recipes are like antiques. They are meant to be handed down from one generation to another. Each one holding a special memory or nostalgic memory. Here is why we love this one!

Sometimes, we need simple. No thawing means if I forget to thaw, I can still have a tasty supper or even appetizers for our tailgate. It even helps in a pinch when I need something quick. Cooking doesn’t have to be perfect, it is meant to be fun and fulfilling. I can’t think of any other way to make it those things than by simplifying the process!

Substitutions

Our recipes tend to feature wonderfully simple, pantry staple ingredients. These simple ingredients also pack a ton of flavor and interest. However, I can think of dozens of options for these chicken wings so here are a few ideas to make them your own. Check out my friend Julia’s AIR FRYER BAKED POTATOES for an easy side using the AF!

Cut of Chicken – this recipe would be great for nuggets or strips. You can break down boneless pieces of thighs or breasts. Cook the same way but time may differ so make sure you check them for done-ness about every 10-15 minutes.
Spices – regular paprika for color and no smoky flavor. Red pepper flakes instead of cayenne or leave off completely.
Low sodium/Salt subs – make them a bit healthier by leaving out the salt. Replace with garlic salt and back off on the garlic in the rub. Using a flavored salt like those from our friends at THE CRAFTY COLE’S can add any flavor you want to the seasoning and you get to support a local Alabama business!

Equipment

🔧 I love to share recipes that are no special equipment required but here are a few things that would definitely make this recipe easier!

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Storage Tips

Refrigerate once cooled completely in an airtight container. They will keep for up to a week. Reheat in the air fryer at about 375° for a few minutes.
Once cooled, they can be frozen on a sheet pan and then transferred to an airtight container and will keep for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat as directed above.

Four seasoned and baked chicken wings are arranged on a plate next to a small glass bowl of creamy dipping sauce, garnished with fresh herbs.

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A plate of seasoned and grilled chicken wings is shown next to a small bowl of creamy dipping sauce and a sprig of fresh herbs on a white, textured plate.

Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Our Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings are a straight from the freezer that end up crispy and delicious. We use our powerful air fryer and some simple but fantastic seasoning to do the trick. Fast and fabulous!

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 30

Total Time 35

Serving Size

Ingredients

4-6 chicken wing pieces frozen
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp cayenne powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
avocado oil spray

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 325°. In a small bowl, mix garlic, cayenne, onion and smoked paprika. Set aside.
1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp cayenne powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
When air fryer is preheated, carefully spray the bottom of a parchment liner with avocado oil. Place the chicken pieces inside and spray the tops lightly with more oil. Cook for 10-15 minutes in the air fryer.
4-6 chicken wing pieces, avocado oil spray
After the cook time is up, remove the tray or basket and turn the chicken. Reset the air fryer temperature to 375°, season the chicken with salt and pepper and half of the seasoning mixture. Spray with a bit of oil. Cook for another 10-15 minutes. Turn, season and spray the other side. Cook another 10-15 minutes or until an internal thermometer reads 160-165°. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper

See How To Make It!

Notes

*Pro Tip*

You can do these bad boys in the oven too! Cook as directed at 425° for 30-45 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165°

🍴 PRO TIP!

Cooking these beauties from frozen is the trick to the juiciest flats and drums you will ever eat. It actually helps maintain their moisture so they stay juicy and never dry. It also promotes a more even cook so they turn out perfect every time.

🗹 RECIPE FAQ’S

How do I know they are done?

Having a good internal meat thermometer is key here. You can easily test each one right next to the bone. As long as they read 160° to 165°, they are done!

Can I bake them in the oven instead of using the air fryer?

I am a huge fan of my oven so YES! Bake in a preheated 425° oven for about 40-45 minutes, turning about halfway through. I would still use a spritz of oil to get that crispy skin!

What is the best sauce to serve with them?

Around here, we love a good old Ranch dip or even just our favorite BBQ sauce. One different and delicous idea is our CREAMY DILL DRESSING. Truthfully, this rub is good as is and the wings are tender and juicy. So, sauce is optional!