Plate of Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Today we’re talking Air Fryer Chicken Wings, baby! Aka the crispiest, juiciest, most irresistible game-day snack you can get your hands on (besides the 10 other gluten-free game-day recipes I’m sharing below, of course.)

Let it be known that I’ve never been a fan of chicken wings. It pretty much boils down to not wanting to get my hands dirty when I eat. #cleanfreak My brothers used to go to quarter wing night at the local wing joint every week in high school and come home like, $12 poorer (you do the math – spoiler alert: it’s a $h!t load of wings) but the appeal had always been lost on me until Ben started “frying” these babies up in our Air Fryer last month. One bite and I was HOOKED. That said…

Air Fryer Chicken Wings dipped in ranch sauce

Friends, meet my Air Fryer. Air Fryer, meet my friends! This bad boy is a 3.5 quart capacity Philips XL Air Fryer. If you’re not familiar, an Air Fryer heats up extremely quickly, cooks frozen foods in half the time as an oven, and “fries” foods with little to no oil. We use ours multiple times a week for cooking chicken nugget-type foods, baked potatoes, and even reheating foods.

Air Fryers also makes killer chicken wings. I thought Ben had lost his mind when he randomly tossed a couple wings in the Air Fryer basket last month but quickly changed my mind when I had a bite. Like I said, impossibly crispy, juicy, and no deep fat frying required – nor do you need to toss the wings in baking soda or cornstarch or whatever you supposedly have to do when making baked wings. All you need is chicken wings, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt, and lemon pepper seasoning. Yes!

Tips for Making Air Fryer Chicken Wings:

  1. What To Buy. For this recipe, I recommend using chicken wings that are already broken down into drumettes and wingettes. However, you can use whole chicken wings, which are a little less expensive. If you want to save a buck or two, here’s a great tutorial for breaking down whole chicken wings.
  2. Cooking Tip. Chicken wings can come in various sizes so if your 2lbs of chicken wings contains more than 20 wings you might need to increase cooking time at 360 degrees to render the fat and cook the wings all the way through.
  3. To Get Crispy Wings. To ensure your chicken wings turn out sizzling and crispy, don’t overcrowd your Air Fryer basket. Cook the chicken wings in batches if needed for optimal crispiness.
  4. What To Serve Them With. I like my chicken wings best plain but feel free to serve them with your favorite dipping sauce like Thai sweet chili sauce, BBQ sauce, ranch, and/or buffalo sauce.

Photo of air fryer

How To Make This Recipe:

Start with 2lbs trimmed chicken wings. I didn’t learn this until making these wings myself but you can buy chicken wings whole and break them down yourself OR as I mentioned before, you can buy them already broken down into drumettes and wingettes, which is what we want for this recipe. It costs a little more to buy the wings broken down but I’m willing to pay a slight premium for this.

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Add the chicken wings to a gallon-sized Ziplock bag or a large bowl then add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil – maybe a scant Tablespoon or so – plus a pinch of salt, and 2 scant Tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning. I prefer Tone’s Lemon Pepper Seasoning Blend.

Seal the bag keeping the air trapped inside then shake to coat, or stir to coat if you’re using a bowl. You can now either use the wings right away, or press the air out of the bag and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

How Long to Cook Chicken Wings in Air Fryer:

When it’s time to cook, preheat your Air Fryer to 360 degrees then add the chicken wings to the basket (NOTE: the batch in the photos was 1-1/3lb, so the full 2lbs will overlap each other slightly – that’s ok.) Cook for 18 minutes, shaking the basket 3 times, then turn the heat up to 390 degrees and cook for another 6 minutes, shaking the basket every 2 minutes, or until the wings are brown and crisp.

Toss the wings with your favorite sauce or pour onto a platter with dipping sauces and get to WORK! No matter what team you’re cheering for, everyone will root for more Air Fryer Chicken Wings – enjoy!

Air Fryer Chicken Wings dipped in BBQ sauce

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

dairy freegluten freelow carb30 minute meal
5
5/5 (10 REVIEWS)

Description

Ready for the crispiest chicken wings of your life?! Gluten-free Air Fryer Chicken Wings are crisped in the air fryer with just a drizzle of oil and pinch of seasonings. Get your dipping sauces ready!

Ingredients

makes approx 24 wings

  • 2lbs trimmed chicken wings (called wingettes and drummies or drummettes)
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • big pinch salt
  • 2 scant Tablespoons Lemon Pepper Seasoning
  • Recommended Dipping/Tossing Sauces:
    • Ranch
    • Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
    • Buffalo Wing Sauce
    • BBQ Sauce

Directions

  1. Preheat Air Fryer to 360 degrees. Add trimmed chicken wings to a gallon-size Ziplock bag or large bowl then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil - maybe a Tablespoon or so. Add salt plus lemon pepper seasoning then seal the bag, keeping the air inside, and shake or stir to evenly coat.
  2. Pour wings into preheated Air Fryer basket then shake to evenly arrange - some chicken wings will be stacked on top of each other and that’s ok. Cook for 18 minutes, shaking the basket vigorously every 6 minutes, or until the chicken wings are golden brown. Turn heat up to 390 degrees then cook for another 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket every 2 minutes, until wings are brown and crispy. Serve or toss with sauces.

Notes

  • This is the Air Fryer I have >
  • If you have an Air Fryer that is smaller then 3.5 quarts, decrease the amount of chicken wings you cook at one time, and/or adjust cooking times.
  • Cchicken wings can come in various sizes! If your 2lbs of chicken wings contain less then 17 or 18 wings (directions here are for 24 wings,) you might need to increase cooking time at 360 degrees to render the fat and cook the wings all the way through.

This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.

Photo collage of Air Fryer Chicken Wings

10 Gluten-Free Game-Day Recipes:

Hungry for more? Here are 10 of my very favorite gluten-free game-day recipes!

Mini Corn Dog Muffins >

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Best Ever Southwestern Black Bean Dip >

Signature Spicy, Smoky, Sweet Chili >

Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers >

Cheddar Brat Meatballs + 3 Dipping Sauces >

Cheddar Brat Meatballs are homemade bratwurst stuffed with gooey cheddar cheese. Serve with three, easy flavor-packed dipping sauces! #glutenfree | iowagirleats.com

Gluten-Free Fudgy Brownies >

Gluten-Free Fudge Brownies are the ultimate, dense and chewy brownie. Made in just one bowl, these gluten-free brownies are easily made dairy-free, too!

Gluten-Free Mozzarella Bites >

Gluten-Free Mozzarella Bites couldn't be easier to whip up at home. These cheesy bites are great for parties, kids' sleepovers, or game day! | iowagirleats.com

Secret Ingredient Restaurant Style Salsa >

Restaurant-Style Salsa is a CINCH to make at home, plus it's much cheaper, too! Learn the ingredient I use to make it taste just like a restaurant's. | iowagirleats.com

Caesar Spinach Artichoke Dip >

Caesar Spinach and Artichoke Dip kicks traditional spinach and artichoke dip up a notch! This 5 ingredient (plus seasoned salt!) easy, gluten-free dip recipe is irresistible. | iowagirleats.com