Crispy Air Fryer Wings Recipe - Carlsbad Cravings

Name: Chicken Wings (Air Fryer Recipe)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds chicken wings, (separated into drumettes and flats); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 tsp EACH garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, pepper

Get ready to fall in love with these air fryer chicken wings—they’re crispy, juicy, and bursting with flavor from a stand-alone dry rub and an optional Buffalo sauce. The rub is based on my baked Buffalo Wings with HUNDREDS of rave reviews, and it makes this recipe. These wings are a breeze to make, thanks to this tested, perfected, and foolproof recipe, complete with step-by-step photos, clever tips, and fun variations!

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up close of chicken wings in air fryer showing how crispy they are

Why you’ll love these air fryer chicken wings

You’re going to LOVE how easy these air fried chicken wings are to master! Here’s what makes them the best:

Flavorful Dry Rub: The spice rub is perfectly balanced with hints of brown sugar, chili powder, and paprika, making the wings delicious on their own, no sauce needed, OR:
Get Saucy: The spice rub pairs beautifully with any dipping sauce or sauce you’d like to coat the wings in.
Tantalizing Sauce Option: I’ve included a recipe for Buffalo Sauce, perfect for traditional, zingy hot wings.
Juicy, Not Overcooked: Baking at a high temperature for less amount of time ensures crispy skin without drying out the meat.
Extra Crispy: The combination of baking powder, spices, and high heat creates a golden, irresistible exterior with tender, juicy meat inside.

top view of serving air fryer chicken wings on a plate with ranch dip

What You’ll Need for Crispy Air Fryer Wings

Let’s take a closer look at what you need to make this recipe (measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

Chicken Wings: Use 2 pounds of chicken wings. Wings can come whole, in which you’ll need to separate the drumettes and flats, or look for pre-separated wings.
Drumettes: These are the meaty, drumstick-like portion of the wing that attaches to the chicken breast. They have one large bone and plenty of meat, making them easy to hold.
Flats (Wingettes): These are the middle portion of the wing, with two thin bones running parallel and a slightly higher skin-to-meat ratio. Flats cook quickly and have a nice balance of skin and meat.
Olive Oil: Helps the seasoning stick and promotes crispiness.
Brown Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness and helps with caramelization
Baking Powder: Ensures extra-crispy skin—use aluminum-free for best results.
Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper provide a bold, well-rounded flavor you will CRAVE!

top view of air fryer chicken wings ingredients: chicken wings, olive oil, baking powder, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper

How to Separate Drumettes vs. Flats

1. Place the whole wing on a cutting board.
2. Bend at the joint between drumette and flat; you’ll see a natural “knee” or joint.
3. Cut through the joint with a sharp knife (no need to saw through bone)
Repeat between flat and tip, discarding or saving the tip for stock.

How to Air Fry Chicken Wings

Let’s take a closer look at how to make this recipe with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

Step 1: Dry Wings. Pat the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels (this is crucial for achieving crispiness) and transfer them to a large bowl.

showing how to air fry chicken wings by patting the wings dry with paper towels

Step 2: Coat Wings. Toss the wings in the oil. Whisk the spices together in a small bowl, then add them to the wings and stir until evenly coated.

a collage showing how to air fry chicken wings by tossing the wings in olive oil, then mixing the rub spices together in a bowl, then adding the rub spices to the wings, then tossing to coat

Step 3: Prepare the Air Fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F using the air fryer mode. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Working in batches, arrange the wings in a single layer in the basket.

showing how to air fry chicken wings by arranging the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket

Step 4: Air Fry Chicken Wings. Cook for 7 minutes, flip the wings over, then cook an additional 6-8 minutes, or until golden and crispy.

Step 5: Serve. Enjoy plain (they’re stand-alone scrumptious!), with a dipping sauce like ranch, or toss in your favorite sauce like buffalo.

showing how to air fry chicken wings by dipping in a sauce

Tips for Crispy Air Fryer Wings

Mastering the perfect air fryer chicken wing is all about a few key techniques that ensure crispy, juicy, and flavorful results every time.

Pat Wings Dry: Removing excess moisture helps the skin crisp up beautifully.
Extra Crisp Tip: For even crispier wings, leave them uncovered in the fridge for 1–2 hours before cooking to help dry the skin.
Preheat Air Fryer: Preheating ensures the wings start cooking immediately, locking in juices.
Single Layer Cooking: Arrange wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket to allow hot air to circulate evenly.
Check Internal Temperature: Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safety.
Rest Before Serving: Let wings rest for a few minutes after cooking to retain juiciness.

Prep Ahead chicken wings

1. Season: Pat the wings dry with paper towels, then toss them with the olive oil and spice rub per the recipe directions.
2. Refrigerate: Arrange the wings in a single layer on a tray or sheet pan and rest in the fridge for up to 48 hours. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat. This will also help dry out the skin for extra crispy wings!
3. Rest: Let the wings come to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking.
4. Cook: Air fry per the recipe instructions.

chicken wings air fryer variations

Enjoy the spice rub recipe, use any of your favorite store-bought rubs, or try any of these tasty variations below, whether you’re feeling bold, zesty, smoky, or spicy!

Cajun Spice: A bold mix of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, oregano, and thyme. Try my homemade Cajun seasoning for smoky perfection!
Lemon Pepper: Zesty lemon pepper, garlic, onion, smoked paprika, and a touch of cayenne pepper. Check out my Lemon Pepper Wings recipe.
Chili-Lime: A blend of chili powder, lime zest, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and a dash of cumin creates a tangy, punchy, and flavorful wing. Check out my Chipotle Lime Wings.
Garlic-Herb: A blend of garlic powder, dried parsley, thyme, and rosemary yields a savory and aromatic, yet more subtle flavor profile. Tip: Finish with fresh chopped herbs after cooking for maximum aroma.
Asian-Inspired Spice: Ground ginger, garlic powder, five-spice powder, and a touch of chili flakes. Works well with soy-based or hoisin sauces. Check out my Chinese Chicken Wings, Korean Chicken Wings, or General Tso’s Sticky Wings.

How to serve chicken wings

Sauces: Toss the wings in your favorite sauce after cooking. Popular options include Buffalo, honey BBQ, garlic parmesan, teriyaki, or sweet chili.
Dips: Offer classic dips, such as ranch, blue cheese, etc. or yogurt-based options, to complement the wings.
Garnishes: Sprinkle with chopped fresh herbs (like parsley or cilantro) or sesame seeds for an extra pop of color.
Serving Temperature: Serve wings hot and fresh straight from the air fryer.
Accompaniments: Pair with celery and carrot sticks, or serve alongside side salads, fries, or roasted veggies for a complete meal.
Party Appetizers: Add them to the lineup of other appetizer favorites such as Bacon Ranch Cheeseball, Jalapeno Poppers, Honey Buffalo Meatballs, Street Corn Dip or Loaded Nachos.

How to Store Air Fried Chicken Wings

•Refrigerator: Let wings cool to room temperature, then place them in an airtight container. They’ll keep for 3–4 days. Tip: Line the container with paper towels to absorb excess moisture and help maintain crispness.
•Freezer: Spread cooled wings in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze for 1–2 hours until firm. Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. T
•Reheating: To re-crisp, air fry frozen or refrigerated wings at 375–400°F for 5–10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Tip: Lightly spray with cooking oil for extra crispiness.

Chicken Wings Air Fryer FAQs

How long to air fry chicken wings?

Air fry chicken wings at 400°F for the crispiest results. Cook the first side for 7 minutes, then flip and cook the second side for 6–8 minutes, or until the wings are golden, crispy, and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Should you coat wings in flour before air frying?

No—you don’t need flour to get crispy wings in the air fryer. The high heat and circulating air render the fat under the chicken skin, creating a naturally golden, crackly exterior without any coating. Flour can actually make the wings heavier and less crisp, while seasoning them directly keeps the texture light and the flavor bold.

What is the best sauce to put on wings?

The best sauce for wings really depends on your taste, but classics never disappoint:

•Buffalo Sauce – Tangy, spicy, and buttery, it’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
•Garlic Parmesan – Rich, savory, and cheesy for a flavor-packed alternative to heat.
•Honey BBQ – Sweet, smoky, and sticky—perfect for those who prefer milder wings.
•Asian-Inspired Sauces – Like teriyaki, gochujang, or sweet chili, for a bold twist.

For the most popular choice, Buffalo sauce reigns supreme—it’s what gives hot wings their signature flavor. See the recipe card for my version!

What is the trick to getting crispy wings?

The trick to getting crispy wings comes down to drying them out and cooking at high heat:

•Pat them very dry with paper towels before seasoning—moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
•Skip flour or heavy coatings (in the air fryer or oven), since they can make the skin soggy instead of crisp.
•Use baking powder (not soda) if oven-baking—it raises the pH of the skin, helping it brown and crisp.
•Cook at a high temperature (400°F in the air fryer or 425°F in the oven) to render the fat and crisp the skin.
•Flip halfway through so both sides get golden and crunchy.

showing how to serve wings in air fryer by dipping into sauce

Looking for more Chicken Wing Recipes?

Lemon Pepper Wings
Buffalo Wings
Ancho Chili Chicken Wings
Chinese Chicken Wings
Korean Chicken Wings
General Tso’s Sticky Wings
Chipotle Lime Wings

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©Carlsbad Cravings by CarlsbadCravings.com

Tools Used in This Recipe

Air Fryer

Measuring Cups and Spoons Set

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Servings: servings

Total Time: 40

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 25

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Ingredients

2 pounds chicken wings, separated into drumettes and flats
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tsp EACH garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, pepper

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F in air fryer mode.
Dry wings: Pat the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels (this is crucial for achieving crispiness) and transfer them to a large bowl.
Coat the wings: Toss the wings in the oil. Whisk the spices together in a small bowl, then add them to the wings and stir until evenly coated.
Air fry: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Working in batches, arrange the wings in a single layer in the basket. Cook for 7 minutes, then flip them over and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
Serve: Enjoy them plain (they’re delicious on their own!), with a dipping sauce like ranch, or toss them in your favorite sauce, such as buffalo (See Notes for recipe) or BBQ with a touch of sriracha, etc.

Notes

Buffalo Sauce

Combine the following in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, bring to a simmer for 1-2 minutes, until slightly thickened. Pour over the wings in a bowl and toss to coat.