Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken Wings is the best quick and easy recipe that will teach you how to fry and make fried chicken in the Power XL, Nuwave, or any air fryer brand. This healthy fried chicken is also keto, low-carb, and gluten-free.
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FOR THE FULL LIST OF INGREDIENTS AND COMPREHENSIVE INSTRUCTIONS, PLEASE SEE THE RECIPE CARD AT THE END OF THIS POST. BEFORE YOU SCROLL, THERE’S IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG POST.
I absolutely love to fry chicken in my air fryer. If you love chicken as much as I do, then you will also have to check out my Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken. This recipe puts a spin on classic southern fried chicken.
This recipe focuses on crisp and crunchy fried chicken that is low in carbs and also keto-friendly. WHAT?! You can have breaded chicken, that is crispy without using all-purpose flour or almond flour!
When I first got my air fryer I tried to fry chicken with almond and coconut flour. The wings were ok, but there was a reason those recipes never made the site. They weren’t good enough. Keep scrolling and check out these babies.
If you are looking for chicken with no breading, then definitely whip up my Keto Low Carb Buffalo Chicken Wings. These are great for dinner or events.
My Breaded and Fried Chicken Tenders are a family favorite! Kids and adults will love them.
For holidays, special occasions, or even a normal dinner, I recommend my Air Fryer Whole Chicken. You won’t believe how easy it is to roast your own!
How to Make and Cook Fried Chicken Wings in Air Fryer
- Tasty chicken will need good seasoning. I like to use McCormick’s Grill Mates Montreal Chicken Seasoning, salt, and pepper. Season the chicken and toss it in baking powder.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket. Do not stack. Cook in batches.
- Air fry for 15 minutes and flip.
- Air fry an additional 10 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Cool before serving.
How Long to Cook
There are some basics to follow in order to make chicken that is perfectly crisp on the outside, done on the inside, and isn’t burnt. Overall, cook time will vary depending on your air fryer brand. I use the Power Air Fryer XL.
I cooked the wings for 15 minutes at a lower temperature, then I increased the temperature for another 10 minutes. The lower temperature allows the chicken to cook at the appropriate rate on the inside. When you turn up the temperature, the chicken will become crisper on the outside.
Air Fryer Temperature
I start out with 320 degrees and then move up to 400 degrees.
Do You Stack Chicken Wings in Air Fryer
I do not recommend you stack chicken wings in the air fryer. When I first got an air fryer, I would stack the chicken in the air fryer and shake the basket every 5 minutes while it cooked. This was effective, but it is not optimal.
When you shake the chicken, you may lose some of the breading. That’s the most important part, you don’t want that! I’ve found the best results come when you cook the chicken in batches if needed. This will vary based on the size of your air fryer.
The chicken wings will cook more evenly and you won’t lose any of the crunchy breading.
How Long to Cook Frozen Chicken Wings
Yes, you can cook frozen wings in the air fryer. Add an additional 5 minutes of cook time.
How to Reheat Fried Chicken
I reheated these chicken wings over the next couple of days in the air fryer for 4 minutes on 400 degrees. Test to see that the chicken is warm in order to determine the optimal time that will work for you.
Is Air Fried Chicken Healthy?
Air frying cuts up to 80% of the fat of traditional frying, making it a much healthier alternative. Most deep-fried recipes require 2 to 3 cups of oil. With the air fryer, you need only a tablespoon. Because air-fried meals are so much lighter, you will feel less bogged down after eating them.
This recipe also provides a healthy option because it excludes all-purpose flour, which is loaded in carbs and can sometimes leave you feeling bloated.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Keto Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Air Fryer Parmesan Fried Chicken Wings
Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich
Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings drumettes (flats and drums) I like to use free-range, hormone free chicken.
- McCormick’s Grill Mates Montreal Chicken Seasoning to taste
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- cooking oil spray (I use olive)
Instructions
- Dry the chicken completely with paper towels.
- Place the chicken wings in a large bowl or in a sealable plastic bag.
- Season the chicken with chicken seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Next, sprinkle the baking powder throughout and ensure each piece is evenly coated.
- I like to use air fryer parchment paper to line the air fryer basket. Place the chicken wings on the parchment paper. Spray the top of the chicken with cooking oil.
- Air fry for 15 minutes on 320 degrees.
- Open the air fryer and flip the chicken. Spray this side of the chicken with cooking oil.
- Cook for an additional 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees or until the chicken has reached your desired level of crisp. Test the inside of the chicken with a meat thermometer. Ensure the chicken has an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.
- Cool before serving.
Joyce Thedford
Can the air fryer recipes be baked in the oven if you do not have an air fryer. I do not own one but the recipes sound delicious!
staysnatched
Yes you can use your oven for some recipes. The air fryer is faster and produces crispier food.
BC Marks
Made these last Saturday while watching the Penn State game. They were sooooo delicious. Crisp and juicy and healthy. My husband and I are making them again for tomorrows game. Love your blog, Brandi!
staysnatched
I’m so glad you enjoyed them and my recipes!
Deb
So simple!
Thank you!!!
staysnatched
Very simple! You’re welcome.
PattiAnn
Have you ever used corn starch instead of baking powder?
Thank you for your reply.
staysnatched
This recipe is intended to be low carb, so no. I have used flour, so cornstarch may work.
Kim
I made this tonight and my husband said “two thumbs up”! The chicken was juicy with a crust on the outside and the best part was I didn’t have to babysit it on top of the stove. Thanks for another great recipe!
staysnatched
Yay! So glad you liked it, that’s what I love about it too.
Regina
Never made wings and this was my first time and they were delicious!! So easy and baking powder, who knew!! Thank you Brandi!
staysnatched
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Jordan
This was my first try at using an air fryer. I seasoned the chicken overnight and made this for everyone using the air fryer at work. I work at 911 center and it’s a tough crowd…different ages, backgrounds, personalities, and a lot of different opinions. But everyone wanted a copy of this recipe. It was so good.
staysnatched
Oh wow! So glad you shared it!
SFranks
I’ve done wings in air fryer multiple times, but they never came out this crispy!! I think the baking powder is secret ingredient to get that deep fried crispy taste, Great recipe. Thanks! 😋
staysnatched
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed them!
Lindsay I
I have made and shared this recipe more times than I can even remember! This was my first recipe to try of Brandi’s and listen – just follow the steps, don’t vary from what you’re told (no matter what you think!) and READ THE WHOLE RECIPE! I promise you and anyone else who eats them will not be disappointed!
staysnatched
Thanks for those tips!
Plampton
I absolutely love theses wings, I have eaten them every night this week. Love how crispy and flavorful they are. Thanks for sharing.
staysnatched
You’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoy them.
Amber B.
I gifted my boyfriend an air fryer and sent him straight here. When I tell you he’s been making these wings NONSTOP!!! The first day he used flour since (of course lol) he didn’t have any baking powder, and they turned out great! Even better once he got his hands on baking powder!! I can absolutely vouch for the easiness and tastiness. A new staple. 🙂
staysnatched
haha! I love that he’s discovering the air fryer.
Brooke
Finally got my air fryer this week and was struggling to decide what first?! Well, this chicken wing recipe made the cut and they were absolutely delicious!!! I used “slap yo mama” Cajun seasoning mix and oh my gosh….so good. This recipe will be used A LOT. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe!
staysnatched
I love that seasoning idea!
Tameka
These are the bomb! I’ve made them at least ten times. I couldn’t make them, yet again, and not leave a review! These are perfect!
staysnatched
ha ha thanks for the review!
Suzana Shaw
Soooo crispy, easy, and flavorful! Will make this again and again.
staysnatched
So glad you enjoyed it!
Brooke
My first recipe made in my Cosori Max XL air fryer (thanks for the recommendation, I love it!) I didn’t have the Montreal seasoning so I used a Cajun blend instead and these were fantastic. I have since been to the grocery store and now have the Montreal seasoning so i’ll be using that this weekend for more wings!! The possibilities for flavors are endless with this recipe–but most importantly, i think the instruction of drying the chicken wings and adding the baking powder is the key to non-breading wings becoming so crispy! These were supposed to be an appetizer but my boyfriend and I ended up eating the entire platter for dinner-he hasn’t stopped talking about them! Thanks for sharing!
staysnatched
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
Lacey
I made these the other day. I make some pretty boring things usually! But, my husband and I loved these. We ate them standing over the air fryer – they didn’t make it to our plates. We go out to get wings a lot so it’s nice to have an option to make crispy wings at home. Paired with a nice side salad. Took only a bit longer to get to desired crispy-ness, but so worth it. I also have a different air fryer than was listed in the post. I will be making these again!
staysnatched
Can’t wait for you to make them again.
Jennifer Robertson
Crispy! Delicious! Awesome! Brandi makes it so simple to fry wings in the air-fryer. So I found her site on Instagram because I wanted to start ‘cooking out of box’ when it came to my air-fryer. These wings are now a requested meal at least once a week, as a snack or as a meal. Very crispy…I like to hear the sound of the crunch when I am biting into one….TMI!
staysnatched
I love that sound, too!
Jill
These turned out so crispy! My boyfriend devoured half of them at dinner. Extra win… they are so easy to prepare and fry.
staysnatched
Crispy is important! Glad you enjoyed them!
Shannon E
Instant hit in my household! I was looking for an air fryer chicken wings recipe & this one did not disappoint! The wings came out perfect…so crispy just how I like it. Next time I will double the recipe because these wings went fast.
staysnatched
These are tough to keep in sight!
Jess
These came out PERFECT! Juicy inside and crispy outside. Will continue to use this method with other seasonings!
staysnatched
Yay! So glad you liked them.