Air Fryer Chicken Wings: The Secret to the Best!

Want to know the secret to great Air Fryer chicken wings? I’ve got the recipe right here – with two variations for marinading sauces.

When I first saw my mom’s Air Fryer, I thought it was a mini space pod that had jettisoned down to Earth. What was this futuristic kitchen device?

Air Fryer Wings

When my mom told me that this egg shaped machine could fry food with 70 – 80% less oil than typical fried food, I was pretty excited.

The first thing she wanted to show me how to make? Air Fryer chicken wings. But first I want to discuss the benefits of an Air Fryer in general.

How is an Air Fryer Different?

You probably have a slow cooker, Instant Pot, and all sorts of other goodies already – so you might be wondering if you truly need to get another kitchen device.

I would say yes, as after just a few uses I really love the Air Fryer and can assure you it’s different than any other kitchen device you have.

I did research when my mom first let me try hers, and it works by circulating hot air to cook foods, especially those that would be traditionally submerged in oil: french fries, chicken nuggets, chicken wings, and more.

There’s a heating element close to the food, and a fan that circulates hot air around the food.

Air Fryer cooking is more even and efficient, and the use of little to no oil means that you’re going to be eating traditionally fried foods with fewer calories. You’ll get that crispy fried taste, but healthier. It’s a win-win!

So back to the Air Fryer chicken wings. We made this recipe around Superbowl time for my neighbors.

I didn’t tell them that we used the Air Fryer because I wanted to see if they would notice any difference between our wings and the kind you might get at a restaurant that are dunked in oil.

For these Air Fryer chicken wings, we used my mother’s Air Fryer; an older version of this GoWISE USA one. After seeing the magic that is her Air Fryer, I’m pretty sure I’m going to purchase the same one.

However, I haven’t done it yet as she’s letting me borrow hers to experiment before I make my decision!

The Secret to the Best Air Fryer Chicken Wings

While my mom was teaching me to make her signature Air Fryer chicken wings, she also taught me her little secrets (there are two).

First, she completely covers the inside of her Air Fryer basket with regular tin foil. This does a few things.

It keeps the sauce from going through the holes at the bottom of the basket and completely fouling up your Air Fryer.

The foil also aids in reflecting the heat and (when you stack the chicken wings) keeping everything cooked evenly. For this particular chicken wing recipe, the foil creates the perfect storm!

Besides the foil, there’s actually a second tip that my mom swears by: powdered mustard. She uses the Colman’s Dry and swears that you can’t taste it very much BUT it brings out the other flavors in the recipe.

After trying it, I completely agree. I’m a dry mustard convert now!

Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer

Recipe makes 1 pound of chicken wings at one time. Multiply as necessary.

Ingredients

• 1 lb of chicken wings

Asian Inspired Marinade

• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp powdered mustard

Mexican Inspired Marinade

• 2 tsp olive oil
• 3/4 cup chicken stock
• 1/2 T tomato paste
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp powdered mustard

Tools

• Air Fryer – we use an older version of this GoWISE USA
• Aluminum foil

Select your marinade and add all ingredients to a large bowl.

Mix until well blended and toss with one pound chicken wings. Refrigerate for one hour.

Line the Air Fryer basket with aluminum foil, flattening to sides of basket as completely as possible.

Pour off the marinade and discard. Place the chicken wings in the Air Fryer and cook on medium-high for 8 minutes (alternatively use the Chicken setting if your Air Fryer has it). Open the Air Fryer and check doneness.

Stir up the chicken wings and flip; cook again on medium-high (or Chicken setting) for 8 minutes. Adjust temperature to keep from burning.

Note: different results may be achieved in different Air Fryers. Add time if necessary based on your device, but the first time you make this recipe you should try 8 minutes and go from there.

Look at these beautiful chicken WINGS!!

And just so you know, our test audience (my neighbors) said they couldn’t tell the difference between these Air Fryer chicken wings and “real” fried wings. I’ll take it!

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If you try this chicken wing recipe, let me know in the comments. I’d also love for you to check out these other delicious recipes:

• Bacon and Cheese Pastry Twists
• Pepperoni Pizza Sticks Recipe
• Bacon and Feta Stuffed Mini Peppers
• The Best Blender Salsa Recipe You’ve Ever Had
• Air Fryer Chicken Wings Web Story