USA · Meat Dishes

Extra Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Chicken wings coated in seasoned baking powder and air-fried until the skin shatters like a deep-fried wing, without a deep fryer.

35 min✻4 servings✻420 kcal
Extra Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Ingredients

  • chicken wings1 kg
  • baking powder1 tbsp
  • garlic powder1 tsp
  • onion powder1 tsp
  • smoked paprika1 tsp
  • salt1 tsp
  • black pepper0.5 tsp
  • cayenne pepper0.25 tsp
  • butter, for buffalo sauce (optional)30 g
  • hot sauce, for buffalo sauce (optional)60 ml
  • honey, for honey-garlic sauce (optional)3 tbsp
  • tamari, for honey-garlic sauce (optional)2 tbsp
  • garlic cloves, minced, for honey-garlic sauce (optional)2
  • BBQ sauce, for BBQ sauce (optional)80 ml

Method

  1. 1Pat the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels — this is the most critical step. Any surface moisture will steam instead of crisp. Press firmly on each wing, front and back. If you have time, let them sit uncovered in the fridge for an hour after drying.
  2. 2In a large bowl, combine the baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Mix the dry seasonings together thoroughly so the baking powder distributes evenly.
  3. 3Add the dry wings to the bowl and toss until every piece is evenly coated. You should see a thin, even film of seasoning on every surface — no bare patches, no thick clumps.
  4. 4Arrange wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Leave space between each wing — air needs to circulate around all sides. Work in batches if necessary. Crowding is the number one reason air fryer wings fail.
  5. 5Air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 12 minutes. Open the basket, flip every wing using tongs, then cook for another 13 minutes until the skin is deep golden and audibly crispy when you tap it. The wings are done when a thermometer inserted near the bone reads 74°C (165°F).
  6. 6For buffalo sauce: melt 30g butter and mix with 60ml hot sauce. For honey garlic: warm 3 tbsp honey with 2 tbsp tamari and 2 minced garlic cloves. For BBQ: use 80ml of your favorite BBQ sauce. Toss the hot wings in your chosen sauce and serve immediately — every minute they sit, the crust softens.