These Crispy Air Fryer Turkey Wings are perfectly seasoned and ready in no time. Pair these with your favorite side dishes for weeknight dinner, Thanksgiving, holidays, and more.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Quick Cooking: Air fryers cook food faster than traditional methods. Turkey wings in the air fryer can be ready in a fraction of the time compared to roasting or baking.
- Crispy Texture: The air fryer’s circulating hot air cooks the turkey evenly and can result in a crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender. This mimics the texture of deep-frying but with less oil.
- Customizable Flavors: With an air fryer, you can easily experiment with different seasonings, marinades, and sauces to create customized flavors for your wings.
Where to Buy Turkey Wings
Some standard grocers will keep brands like Butterball and Jenni-O on hand year round. Many retailers only carry them seasonally around fall. A local butcher is usually really helpful.
Do You Use Whole Wings or Split?
This is up to you. Split wings (split into drums and flats) will cook at a more even temperature. This is also better for even browning of the skin.
The wing is is made up of 3 parts: the drumette, the wingette, and the wing tip. The drumette looks like a small drumstick and usually has more meat. It’s mostly dark meat, is slightly juicier than the wingette.
The wingette is often called the flat, is the middle section that is made of two bones running horizontally through the middle of it with meat in the middle. Because it’s thinner, this part normally crisps up easier when cooking them with the thicker drumette portions.
The wing tip doesn’t have much flavor, but you can save it if you plan to make homemade broth.
You can separate the wings yourself by cutting at the elbow joint to separate the drum from the wingette. From there you can remove the wing tip to display a flat if you wish.
How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Wings
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Pat the wings dry and rub both sides with olive oil and spices.
- Place the wings in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry.
Air Fryer Temperature
I use 370 degrees.
Cook Time/How Long to Cook
Cook the wings for 35 for 40 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.
How to Tell When the Turkey is Done
You will need to use a meat thermometer. Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of one the turkey wings. According to the USDA, Poultry must be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Texture
The texture is a lot similar to fried chicken wings. These have crispy skin. If you are looking for wings that fall off the bone, try my Baked Turkey Wings or Smothered Turkey Wings recipes.
More Ideas on How to Season Them
- Homemade BBQ Seasoning and Rub
- Homemade Blackened Seasoning
- Homemade Ranch Seasoning
- Cajun Seasoning
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning
Can You Use Turkey Legs or Drumsticks?
Yes. Turkey legs will follow a similar cook time and at the same temperature.
Can You Use Chicken Wings?
Check out my Air Fryer Chicken Wings recipe.
How to Store Them
Cooked wings can be stored in the fridge tightly covered for 3-4 days.
How to Reheat
You can reheat them at 350 degrees in the air fryer until warm. This will help maintain the texture.
Freezer Tips
You can freeze leftover wings tightly covered and sealed. For the best taste, they will last up to 3 months. Defrost the wings overnight in the fridge and reheat.
What to Pair with the Wings
Air Fryer French Fries
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Roasted Ranch Potatoes
Air Fryer Onion Rings
Cornbread Casserole
Air Fryer Crab Legs
Air Fryer Lamb Chops
Grand Marnier Cranberry Sauce
Air Fryer Brats
Turkey Wings and Legs Recipes
Baked Turkey Legs
Air Fryer Turkey Legs
Stuffed Turkey Legs
Slow Cooker Turkey Legs
Smoked Turkey Legs
Grilled Turkey Legs
More Turkey Recipes
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Traeger Smoked Turkey
Cajun Spiced Roasted Turkey
Leftover Turkey Chili
Leftover Turkey Nachos
Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup
Turkey Bone Broth Recipe
Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Turkey and Cheese Sliders
Pair these with our Turkey Graving From Drippings recipe.
Air Fryer Turkey Wings
Ingredients
- 2-3 pounds turkey wings Split wings will fit a 5.8 quart air fryer
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Creole Seasoned Wings (Option 1)
- 1 tablespoon Creole Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
Standard Turkey Seasoning Wing (Option 2)
- 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1 teaspoon ground oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat the wings dry and rub both sides with olive oil. Sprinkle the spices throughout. Rub the spices into both sides of the wings. Ensure the spices completely cover both sides of the wings. Add more spices if necessary.
- Place the wings in the air fryer basket. Do not stack, Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry on 370 degrees for 25 minutes.
- Open the air fryer and flip the wings. Air fry for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the internal temperature (at the thickest part of the wing) has reached 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer. Also air fry until the wings have reached your desired level of crisp.
- Cool before serving.
Video
Notes
- I provided my 2 favorite ways to season these wings. Pick a method or you can also use your favorite store-bought chicken or poultry rub.
- Cook time will vary based on the air fryer brand and model you use. Always cook turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.
- You can use whole wings or split wings. I prefer split because they cook at even temperature and will easily fit in the air fryer. I also prefer the wing tip removed, so that these fit easily. I use a 5.8 quart air fryer.
Cynthia
Friday 24th of November 2023
I used the traditional seasoning with salt mixed in. These were very good, and done exactly in the time the recipe stated. Most meat departments in grocery stores will cut turkey wings for you if you plan a few days ahead, they need to thaw the birds.
staysnatched
Sunday 26th of November 2023
So glad you enjoyed it!
Jmeanne
Sunday 14th of November 2021
Just used this recipe for a couple of turkey legs, haven’t done turkey in the AF before, they came out perfect, crispy, moist and delicious! Thanks for another great recipe Brandi!
staysnatched
Saturday 20th of November 2021
Wonderful! I'm so glad to hear it.
Anita Hughes
Thursday 12th of August 2021
Definitely making for Thanksgiving. I love using air fryer to cook meats. I have not seen too many turkey wings in the meat section yet.
staysnatched
Thursday 12th of August 2021
Hard to find unless you go somewhere with a local butcher. Luckily the store near me keeps them stocked year round.