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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings 5 Flavors for Easy Ultimate Crunch

crispy air fryer chicken wings - featured image

These crispy air fryer chicken wings deliver unbeatable crunch and juicy meat inside, with five bold flavor options perfect for any occasion. Quick and easy to make, they are a crowd-pleaser with minimal mess.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds fresh chicken wings, split into flats and drumettes
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil (avocado or canola)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Optional: ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • Buffalo Sauce: ¼ cup hot sauce, 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • Garlic Parmesan Sauce: 3 tablespoons melted butter, ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, chopped fresh parsley
  • BBQ Sauce: ½ cup barbecue sauce
  • Lemon Pepper Sauce: Zest of 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper, 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • Honey Mustard Sauce: 3 tablespoons honey, 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness.
  2. Toss wings in a large bowl with 1 tablespoon oil, then sprinkle with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and baking powder if using. Coat evenly.
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3 minutes.
  4. Place wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding.
  5. Cook wings for 12 minutes, then flip using tongs.
  6. Continue cooking for another 12-15 minutes until golden and crispy and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). For extra crispiness, increase temperature to 400°F (204°C) for the last 3-5 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
  7. While wings cook, prepare your chosen sauce(s) by mixing the ingredients in small bowls.
  8. Once wings are done, transfer to a large bowl, pour sauce over, and toss to coat evenly.
  9. Garnish with parsley or lemon zest if using lemon pepper sauce.
  10. Serve immediately for best crunch.

Notes

Pat wings dry thoroughly before seasoning to ensure crispiness. Baking powder is optional but recommended for extra crunch. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary. Flip wings halfway through cooking for even browning. Increase temperature at the end for extra crisp but watch carefully to avoid burning. Sauces can be prepared ahead and stored in the fridge. Reheat wings in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

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