Crispy Air Fryer Hot Wings with an easy homemade buffalo sauce is the perfect Super Bowl, game day, or anytime dish. Lighter than the typical deep frying method with the same juicy, crispy result.
These Air Fryer Hot Wings have quickly become one of my favorite ways to indulge in restaurant quality chicken wings at home. I’m a big wing girl. Bone-in, drumettes, flats, boneless, I love them all. And the sauces! Hot, garlic Parmesan, barbecue, jerk, lemon pepper dry rub… there are so many good ones. The best, in my opinion, though are traditional hot wings. The super quick and easy buffalo sauce below can be customized due to heat preference. You can make them crazy spicy or more mild-medium. This is the ultimate Super Bowl party hot wing dish to serve to family and friends. No air fryer? I’ve included an oven baked chicken wing method below. Still a healthier alternative to deep frying. I also have an awesome recipe for Crock Pot Chicken Wings. And a Soy-Ginger Grilled Wings recipe that can be made on a standard grill or Blackstone.
Ingredients
One of the best things about this Air Fryer Hot Wings recipe is you don’t need a ton of ingredients. Most of them you probably already have at home.
Party Wings
Grab about 2.5 lbs of frozen party wings (drums and flats) from the freezer section of your grocery store. You can buy unfrozen as well, but it’s typically more expensive for less wings that way. They’ll yield the same delicious result. Just make sure you thaw them before cooking.
Quick Homemade Hot Wings Seasoning
I like to rub my wings with a little seasoning prior to air frying them. For this I use cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Homemade Hot Wings Buffalo Sauce
The sauce for these Air Fryer Hot Wings is easy to make. It contains butter, Frank’s Red Hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, oregano, cayenne, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Substitutions & Variations:
In order to make this Air Fryer Hot Wings sauce less spicy (more mild-medium range), simply omit or use less cayenne. To make it even more spicy (extremely hot) add more cayenne. You can use whatever hot sauce you like; however, Frank’s is my favorite. If you decide to use another brand just ensure it’s a traditional hot sauce. Flavored hot sauces will change the overall taste of the hot wing sauce.
You can also use this air fryer chicken wing recipe with your favorite store-bought sauce if you wish. My favorites when I don’t have time to make my own are Buffalo Wild Wing’s Medium and Spicy Garlic sauces. Other sauces like Garlic Parmesan, Nashville Hot, Honey Mustard, Asian, or BBQ are also all delicious options.
Crispy Air Fryer Hot Wings Instructions
Dry Rub Chicken Wings
Rinse chicken wings with cold water and pat dry. Mix seasoning spices together in a small bowl then shake evenly over wings (both sides).
Air Fryers
The only special equipment you’ll need for these Air Fryer Hot Wings is… an air fryer. Here’s the one we have. We love it. Not only are air fryers great for more guilt free deep frying alternatives, but you can also use them to reheat delivery food. Nothing is worse than getting food delivered only to find your fries are soggy. Tossing them into the air fryer breathes life back into them.
Air Frying Hot Wings
Spray the basket of the air fryer with non-stick olive or avocado oil spray. Place wings in a single layer, avoiding overlapping. You’ll probably have to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. You can overlap wings; however, it’ll take longer for them to cook that way. Air fryers work by circulating air around the food. If they can’t circulate properly, they won’t get as crispy. Spray the tops of the wings with the olive oil spray as well to help them crisp up better. Air fry the chicken wings at 400 degrees for 12 minutes then flip, and air fry for another 10-15 or until they’ve reached 165 degrees and are desired crispiness.
Oven Instructions
If you don’t have an air fryer or would just prefer to use the oven that’s fine too! Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray or line with aluminum foil/parchment paper. Spread chicken wings out in a single layer, not touching or overlapping. Bake wings for 25-35 minutes or until internal temperature is 165 degrees and they’ve reached desired crispiness.
Prepare Hot Sauce
While the chicken wings are air frying or baking, prepare your sauce. In a small saucepan melt butter over medium heat. Add hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoning. Bring to a slight boil, reduce heat, and simmer for about eight minutes stirring occasionally. Set aside.
Toss Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Sauce
Remove chicken wings from air fryer and place on a paper towel lined plate as you work in batches. Allow to cool slightly before adding to a large bowl. Pour hot wing sauce over the top and toss to combine.
Tips:
- If you like your hot wings extra crispy, cook a little longer. If you prefer them more on the juicy side, a little less (just make sure they reach 165 degrees internally). Be flexible with your cooking times. Party wings contain both drums and flats of varying sizes. Larger wings will need longer to cook. If working in batches, try grouping together wings of similar sizes.
- Some people swear baking powder or cornstarch make the wings extra crispy. I don’t find that necessary though.
- If you’re serving a group who likes differing levels of sauce (light or extra saucy), serve the sauce on the side. Allow your guests to add their own or dunk naked wings if they prefer.
Serving Instructions:
Serve air fryer hot wings while they’re hot. Include a side of celery and carrots, as well as Ranch and/or Bleu Cheese. A side of the hot wing sauce for dipping is also nice for anyone who wants extra. And plenty of napkins!
FAQs
Can I put raw chicken wings in the air fryer?
Yes, the chicken wings used in this air fryer hot wing recipe are raw. If you’re used to preparing already cooked food in your air fryer, then these will need more time (around 25-30 minutes).
My wings are whole. Can I cook them that way or how do I separate them?
If your wings are whole, you’ll need to separate them into drums and flats. Find the joint that connects the two, and with a sharp knife slice through firmly.
Fastest method for thawing chicken wings?
The most reliable method for thawing chicken wings is in the refrigerator. However, it does take longer that way. If I need to make wings same day, and they’re frozen, I’ll leave them in a bowl on the counter at room temperature. Fastest method for thawing chicken wings, though, is by placing them in a bowl of cold water. I never recommend thawing in the microwave.
How do I make my Air Fryer Hot Wings crispier?
Simply cook them longer to yield a crispier exterior. You can also turn the temperature up slightly.
Are Air Fryer Chicken Wings healthy?
Wings themselves contain more fat than a chicken breast, and the sauce for these air fryer hot wings has a decent amount of butter, but air frying eliminates the extra calories and fat that standard deep frying entails. These wings are high protein and can be considered low carb or keto for anyone on those diets.
Storage and Reheating Instructions:
Store these Air Fryer Hot Wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The hot buffalo sauce can last up to five. Reheat in the oven or back in the air fryer at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes.
Serve with...
I like to make these Air Fryer Hot Wings for the Super Bowl, family game nights, or parties. Therefore, I like to serve them with other party food or appetizers! Fries are an obvious choice by try making them with Taco Bell Chicken Quesadillla, Easy Homemade Bagel Bites, Hot Cajun Crab Dip, Loaded Potato Skins, Bell Pepper Nachos Extra Crispy Onion Rings
As for drinks? Of course, beer (especially a lighter variety like a Pilsner) goes great with hot wings. For something different, try a sparkling wine. The slight sweetness and bubbles cuts through the buffalo sauce, and they are actually delicious together. I love Prosecco or Sparkling Rose.
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Air Fryer Hot Wings
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Rinse wings in cold water and pat dry.
- In small bowl mix together 1 teaspoon cayenne, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, salt and ½ teaspoon ground pepper.
- Rub wings with this seasoning.
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees for 2 minutes. Spray with nonstick.
- Add wings in a single layer not overcrowding. Might have to work in batches (see notes).
- Cook 12 minutes on side then flip and cook 10-15 more minutes.
- Meanwhile in a small saucepan melt butter over medium heat. Add hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, oregano, 1 teaspoon cayenne, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon onion powder.
- Bring to slight boil, reduce heat and simmer for 8 minutes.
- Remove wings to a paper towel lined plate. Based on size of air fryer you might have to work in batches.
- Transfer wings to a large bowl and toss in hot buffalo sauce.
- Serve with carrots, celery and dressing on side.
Susan
Made these wings last night but used the oven. Wow! Will never buy wings again any way but this! Simply delicious and so good the next day as a snack
Sammy
This air fryer version tastes exactly like deep frying but without all the guilt! Will definitely be making them again soon.
Jim
Making these for the Super Bowl! Thanks!