Description
Crispy and flavorful air fryer chicken wings coated with a savory dry rub of spices and brown sugar. Ready in under 40 minutes, these wings are juicy inside with a perfectly crisp exterior, making them a perfect appetizer or snack that's easy to prepare and enjoy plain or with your favorite dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Wings
- 2 pounds chicken wings, separated into drumettes and flats
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Dry Rub
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F in air fryer mode to ensure it’s hot and ready for crispy wings.
- Dry wings: Pat the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels; this step is crucial to achieve maximum crispiness during cooking. Then transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
- Coat the wings: Drizzle the olive oil over the wings and toss them to coat evenly. In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning mix over the wings and stir thoroughly to coat every piece.
- Air fry: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the wings in a single layer without overcrowding, working in batches if necessary. Cook the wings for 7 minutes at 400°F, then flip them over and cook for an additional 8 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Serve: Enjoy the wings plain—they’re flavorful on their own! Alternatively, serve with ranch or toss in your favorite sauce such as buffalo or BBQ with a hint of sriracha for extra kick.
Notes
- Drying the wings thoroughly before cooking is key to crispy skin.
- If you want saucier wings, toss them immediately after air frying while they're hot.
- Baking powder in the rub helps create the crisp exterior without frying.
- This recipe works great with various sauces like buffalo, BBQ, or honey garlic.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook wings in batches for even crispiness.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure wings reach an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 4 wings)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
