Air Fryer Whole Chicken Wings

Published on Jan 28, 2025. Updated on Jan 28, 2025. By Tayo. This post may contain affiliate links. See Disclosure. 5 Comments

If you’re a huge fan of chicken wings, you’ve got to try this easy air fryer whole chicken wings! They are perfect for an easy appetizer or side dish.

low carb air fryer whole chicken wings ready to eat

I prefer to cook whole chicken wings instead of separating them into drumettes and wingettes or flats. Sometimes I make it in the oven, deep fryer, or grill.

But the air fryer is my favorite way to make the best wings because it’s so quick and easy. The wings end up with wonderfully crispy skin that is just oozing with flavor. You will struggle not to eat these delicious chicken wings in one sitting. They are that good!

This crispy chicken wings recipe is the perfect finger food for game day, parties, or potlucks. I also love to make these for my kids when they are back from school and still hungry, but it’s not yet dinner time. They gobble it up so quickly!

Read on to learn how to make crispy air fryer chicken wings that are so finger-licking delicious!

Equipment Used

For this air fryer chicken wings recipe, you will need an air fryer, a large bowl, and a pair of tongs. You will also need a meat thermometer to check for doneness after air frying. That’s all!

Ingredients Used

This recipe calls for a few basic ingredients.

Whole chicken wings: You can buy whole chicken wings from your favorite grocery store or extra fresh from your local farmer’s market.
Chicken seasoning: To spice up the wings, you can use any dry rub of your choice. I use my homemade chicken seasoning, which is so easy to make using peppers, aromatics, and herbs. All the ingredients for the chicken seasoning can be found in your spice drawer.
Olive oil spray: You can also use your favorite cooking spray or melted butter.

How To Make Air Fryer Whole Chicken Wings

Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees F and lightly spray the basket with olive oil spray.
Wash the chicken wings properly under running water, then pat dry with paper towels.
Put the chicken wings in a large bowl and then spray some olive oil on them. Then rub your homemade chicken seasoning liberally over each one. The olive oil will help the chicken seasoning stick to the wings.
Arrange each whole chicken wing on a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Press start and let it air fry for 10 minutes.
Then, use the tongs to flip each wing and air fry for 5-10 minutes more, depending on how crispy you want it.
Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. It should read at least 165F.
Take the cooked wings out and let them sit for a few minutes.
Serve with your favorite sauce, and enjoy!

Storing and Reheating

You can easily store your leftover air fryer chicken wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days. They will remain fresh and good as new during that time.

To preserve them for longer, you can freeze them. To do this. Place each chicken wing on a sheet and freeze for about two hours. Afterward, place the wings in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to three months.

To defrost the chicken wings, take them out of the freezer and put them in the refrigerator. Reheat the wings in the air fryer at 350F for five minutes, then increase the temperature to 400F for another five minutes. This will make it crispy again.

What can I eat this recipe with?

Serve these air-fried chicken wings with your favorite dipping sauce. You can use a pepper sauce, bbq sauce, buffalo sauce, blue cheese dip, or ranch dip.

These crispy wings also go great with a side of fresh celery sticks, broccoli, or some salad.

keto chicken wings with side of asparagus

Tips and variations

Place the chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket with some space between them so that they fry evenly. If you have a small air fryer, you will have to make this in batches.
Make sure to remove as much water as possible from the chicken wings after washing. The less moisture they have, the faster they crisp up.
Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer after cooking. A reading of 165F shows the chicken is cooked enough and safe to be eaten.
Make Buffalo chicken wings by throwing the wings into some delicious buffalo sauce. Yum!

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to cook whole wings in an air fryer?

It takes roughly 20 minutes to air fry whole pieces of chicken wings. This will also depend on how crispy you want it to be and how large your air fryer is. A smaller air fryer means more frying time since it will be done in batches.

Can I put whole wings in an air fryer?

Yes, you can put whole wings in an air fryer without splitting them. All you have to do is lay them in a flat layer in the air fryer basket with a bit of space between them. Even though the wings won’t lay completely flat, the hot air will still circulate through each one as long as they are not tightly packed.

How long does it take to air fry chicken wings at 400 degrees?

You can cook chicken wings for about 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Air fry for 10 minutes first, flip with tongs, and then air fry for another 5-10 minutes, depending on how crispy you want it to be.

Is it better to bake or air fry wings?

This depends entirely on your preference. You can either choose to bake or air fry the wings. Of course, you can also choose to deep fry the chicken wings. However, I prefer to use my air fryer for this recipe because it’s way more convenient.
In addition, the air fryer cooks ingredients much faster than an oven. An oven takes twice as much time as the air fryer. I can also fry ingredients with little to no oil, unlike deep frying things soaked in oil. There are so many reasons I prefer to use the air fryer!

Check out these other air fryer chicken recipes!

Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Air Fryer Buffalo Wings

Ninja Foodi Whole Chicken

Air Fryer Bone-in Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings

📖 Recipe