Get ready to meet your new favorite way to make chicken wings, with incredibly crispy skin and juicy, tender meat, all thanks to the magic of the air fryer. Imagine biting into a wing with skin so shatteringly crisp it rivals your favorite restaurant, but made right in your own kitchen with minimal oil and fuss. This recipe’s secret lies in its simplicity—a perfect seasoning blend and the high-heat circulation of the air fryer work together to create wing perfection, perfect for game day, a simple weeknight meal, or any time you get a craving for truly amazing wings.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 30 mins (includes air frying time)
Servings: 4 (as an appetizer)
Ingredients:
For the Crispy Wings:
- 2 lbs chicken wings, split into drumettes and flats, wingtips removed
- 1 tbsp aluminum-free baking powder (this is the key to crispy skin!)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
- Avocado oil spray or other high-heat cooking spray
Instructions:
- Prepare the Wings: Pat the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels. This is a crucial step for achieving crispy skin, so don’t skip it! Place the dry wings in a large bowl.
- Season the Wings: In a small bowl, combine the baking powder, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the wings and toss thoroughly until every wing is evenly and lightly coated.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Lightly spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the seasoned wings in a single layer in the basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. You may need to cook in two batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Air Fry – First Cook: Place the basket in the air fryer and cook at 380°F (193°C) for 12 minutes.
- Flip and Continue Cooking: After 12 minutes, pull out the basket and use tongs to flip each wing over.
- Air Fry – Second Cook (Crisp Up): Return the basket to the air fryer. Increase the heat to 400°F (200°C) and cook for another 10-12 minutes, or until the wings are golden brown, crispy, and cooked through.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the wings from the air fryer and let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute. Serve hot on their own or with your favorite dipping sauce.
Recipe Notes:
- The Secret to Crispy Skin: The baking powder is the magic ingredient! It helps to draw moisture out and raises the pH level of the skin, allowing it to get extra brown and crispy. Make sure you use baking powder, not baking soda.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: For the crispiest results, the hot air needs to circulate around each wing. Cooking in a single layer is essential. If you need to cook in batches, you can keep the first batch warm in a low oven or pop them back in the air fryer for a minute or two before serving.
- Pat Dry, Seriously: We can’t stress this enough! The drier the chicken skin is before you season it, the crispier it will get in the air fryer. Let them sit on a rack for a few minutes after patting them dry if you have extra time.
- Check for Doneness: While the wings should be cooked through at the specified time, all air fryers are different. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the wing.
- Sauce Them Up: These wings are fantastic on their own, but they’re also the perfect blank canvas for your favorite sauce! To sauce, place the cooked wings in a large bowl, pour over the sauce (like buffalo or BBQ), and toss to coat right before serving.
And there you have it—perfectly crispy, juicy, and flavorful chicken wings made right in your air fryer with almost no effort. This Salt and Pepper Wings recipe proves that sometimes the simplest ingredients create the most delicious results. We hope you love these as much as we do! Happy air frying!
Estimated Nutritional Information (per serving, wings only)
Calories: 410; Fat: 30g (Saturated Fat: 9g); Carbohydrates: 2g; Sugar: 0g; Protein: 32g; Sodium: 750mg;
Disclaimer: Nutritional information is estimated and can vary depending on specific ingredients, brands, and serving sizes used. This information is provided for guidance only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or nutritional advice.
