Print

The Ultimate Ultra-Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Secret Ingredient Included)

A pile of golden brown, seasoned, crispy air fryer chicken wings stacked on a white plate.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

You can make restaurant-quality crispy air fryer chicken wings at home. This easy recipe uses a simple dry rub and a secret ingredient to achieve an ultra-crispy exterior and a juicy interior in under 30 minutes, with minimal oil and easy cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs chicken wings (flats and drumettes separated)
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder (aluminum-free is best)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken wings completely dry using paper towels. This step is crucial for crispiness.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the baking powder, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Mix the dry rub well.
  3. Add the dried chicken wings to the bowl. Toss thoroughly until every wing piece is evenly coated with the dry rub mixture.
  4. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C).
  5. Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; work in batches if necessary to allow air circulation.
  6. Air fry for 20 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through the cooking time.
  7. Increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C). Cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until the wings are deeply golden brown and extremely crispy.
  8. Remove the wings from the air fryer. Toss immediately in your favorite sauce, or serve as is.

Notes

  • The baking powder reacts with the chicken skin to draw out moisture, which is the key to getting that extra crispy texture without deep frying.
  • For the juiciest interior, do not skip drying the wings thoroughly before seasoning.
  • If you plan to sauce the wings, toss them immediately after they come out of the air fryer so the sauce adheres well to the hot, crispy skin.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonsprout.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-wings/