These Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken Wings can be made using fresh or frozen wings! This dish is seasoned with a dry rub and tossed in baking powder to get them nice and crunchy!
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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!
Table of Contents
How to Make Fried Chicken Wings in the 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.
Can You Stack the Chicken?
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 Using Frozen
Add an additional 5 minutes of cook time for frozen wings. Do you have to thaw the wings first? No, you can add them frozen.
How to Reheat
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
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings
Keto Low Carb Chicken Wings (Maple BBQ)
Fried Chicken Salad
Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
Crispy Ranch Chicken Wings
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Sweet Chili Chicken Wings
This recipe works great with my Homemade BBQ Seasoning and Rub and check out How to Grill Chicken Wings.
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.
Video
Notes
Nutrition (displayed with net carbs)
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Ana says
Honestly I will never use a chicken wing recipe that isn’t Brandi’s. The woman does not miss and these were no exception!
staysnatched says
haha love to hear it!
Tori says
Omg Brandi these are fire!!! As good (or better) than any of the fried ones I’ve had!!! Amazing, thank you for all your hard work!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! So glad you enjoyed them.
Nicole says
I made these for the first time. So much easier than other recipes and the texture and crisp was perfect. Thanks for another delicious recipe!!
staysnatched says
You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.
Mallory Roy says
Using the baking powder was a good game changer for me! I couldn’t figure out how to get crispy wings til I tried this recipe. LOVE IT! 🔥
staysnatched says
Wonderful, glad you enjoyed them.
Natascha says
I have the Cuisinart air fryer and no spray but used a small silicone basting brush, basted both side before putting them in. Slightly adjusted the heat, used a small sieve for the baking powder and added chili flakes and this was Amazing!!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! Glad you enjoyed it.
Adairea Morris says
Okay these air fryer wings are next level!! I don’t think I will make them any other way now… and I thought the baking powder would make them taste funny but it didn’t at all and definitely made them crispy af!
staysnatched says
Yes! Baking powder works great.
M.T. says
I give these a 20 out of 10! They came out perfectly. I will now only use this recipe!!
staysnatched says
Yay! So glad to hear it.
Regina says
Perfect Recipe for people with nut allergies who want low carb and crispy chicken.
staysnatched says
Awesome! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Sarai says
It’s the versatility of this recipe for me! I vary the seasonings based on family preference. It takes five seconds and everyone gets the delicious wings they love.
staysnatched says
Yes! Any seasoning combo will work great.
Mallory says
Brandi does it again! Damn these are so good. I’m familiar with Brandi’s choice of using baking powder for breading after making her fried chicken from the crispy fried chicken salad recipe. It provides such a light and delicious crisp!
***Now. I preface because I did indeed modify the recipe. Any problems that occur from modification like Brandi says, are not her fault. Follow the recipe to a T and you’ll get the results like she says. If you don’t, it ain’t her responsibility that it didn’t work out.
I chose to omit the chicken seasoning and use only S&P simply so I could toss the wings in whatever sauce I desired. Would the chicken seasoning have interfered with the flavor of my sauce choice? Maybe, maybe not. I can’t say. Next time I make them, I’ll follow all the steps and report back.
All in all, you won’t be disappointed in any of Brandi’s recipes. If you’re looking for an air fryer version of your favorite dish, chances are damn high that Brandi already has the goods out there for ya.
staysnatched says
Thank you so much for sharing this!
Devvon says
Easy Peasy Beautiful chicken wings!
staysnatched says
So glad to hear it!
Angie says
Made the wings for my family and we all enjoyed them. We will definitely have them again. You must try them for the next football game
staysnatched says
These are perfect for football games!
Allison says
These were perfect - crispy and flavorful (and easy)wish I didn’t wait so long to make!! Will definitely be making these again.
staysnatched says
I'm glad you finally made them!
Felicia says
I can never go wrong with a single recipe from Brandi. Made these for my daughter tonight. She absolutely loves wings! They were nice and crispy but not overcooked. Very easy to pull together. Served it with veggies and cornbread, another favorite recipe!
staysnatched says
Yum! What a pairing!
Heather says
If I’m making wings, I’m making them with this recipe. So easy and never fails!
staysnatched says
Yay! I love to hear that!
Dolores Darnell says
Can you use almond flower on the chicken wings?
staysnatched says
I’ve never tried it. You probably can, but I’m not sure how it will turn out.
Carmela says
This is a mainstay for this mama of 4 teens! Thank you!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed them!
Michelle says
Made these again tonight! Because I mean, can you really ever have too many wings?! Chefs kiss!
staysnatched says
never too many wings!
Monique says
I make these once a week and I'm never disappointed. Quick and easy to throw with some sweet potato fries and a salad or some broccoli. And I’ve sent this to anyone who mentions having an air fryer 🤣!
staysnatched says
Thank you!
Emily says
First time I’ve ever made wings at home and these were tasty and easier than ordering take out!
staysnatched says
So glad to hear it!
Kimberly says
They came out delicious . Love having another cooking method besides frying in oil/pan.
staysnatched says
So glad to hear it!