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How long do you cook frozen wings?

Cooking frozen chicken wings to crispy, juicy perfection requires knowing how long to cook them based on whether they are fully cooked or raw frozen wings. The cooking time can vary quite a bit depending on the type and preparation of frozen wings.

How Long to Cook Raw Frozen Chicken Wings

Raw frozen chicken wings need to be fully cooked through before eating. Raw wings contain harmful bacteria that can only be killed by cooking to an internal temperature of 165°F.

Here are general guidelines for how long to cook raw frozen chicken wings:

  • Oven: 45-60 minutes at 400°F
  • Air Fryer: 15-20 minutes at 380-400°F, shaking halfway
  • Deep Fryer: 12-15 minutes at 350-375°F
  • Grill: 30-40 minutes over medium indirect heat, flipping occasionally
  • Slow Cooker: 3-4 hours on High or 6-8 hours on Low

The exact cooking time can vary based on the size and number of wings, as well as your preferred level of crispiness. Smaller wings or drumettes may cook faster than larger, meatier wings.

To ensure they are fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check that the thickest part of the wings reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Tips for Cooking Raw Frozen Wings

  • Defrost first for quicker, more even cooking. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight or in cold water for 30 minutes.
  • Pat dry wings and coat evenly with oil or seasoning rub before cooking.
  • Use indirect heat on the grill, turning occasionally, to prevent burning.
  • Broil wings 4-5 inches from heat, flipping once, for crispy oven-baked wings.
  • Spray air fryer basket with oil for crispy fried texture without the fat.

How Long to Cook Fully Cooked Frozen Wings

Fully cooked frozen wings just need to be heated through until hot and crispy. They can be baked, fried, or air fried from frozen state.

Here are general guidelines for how long to cook pre-cooked frozen wings:

  • Oven: 20-30 minutes at 400°F
  • Air Fryer: 10-15 minutes at 350-400°F, shaking halfway
  • Deep Fryer: 5-7 minutes at 350-375°F
  • Grill: 15-20 minutes over medium indirect heat, flipping occasionally

Check for an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure they are fully heated through.

Tips for Cooking Fully Cooked Frozen Wings

  • No need to defrost first, can go straight from freezer to oven or fryer.
  • Pat dry wings and coat with oil or seasoning for crisper skin.
  • Broil for 10 minutes 4-5 inches from heat for crispy oven wings.
  • Toss fried wings with sauce once cooked for added flavor.

Factors That Affect Cook Time

Several factors can impact the cook time needed for frozen chicken wings:

1. Type of Wings

  • Drumettes cook faster than whole wings or flats.
  • Smaller wings cook faster than larger wings.
  • Boneless wings have a shorter cook time than bone-in.

2. Amount of Wings

  • Small batches cook faster than a large number of wings.
  • Spread wings out in a single layer for shortest cook time.
  • Stacking wings leads to uneven cooking.

3. Preparation Method

  • Breaded or sauced wings take longer to cook than plain.
  • Partially thawed wings cook faster than frozen solid.
  • Thawed then refrozen wings require longer cook time.

4. Doneness Preference

  • The longer wings cook, the crispier they get.
  • Cooking just until done speeds up cook time.
  • Well done wings take 10-15 minutes longer.

How to Tell When Wings are Done

Here are some ways to test when frozen chicken wings are fully cooked:

  • Use an instant read thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part.
  • Cut into a wing to check that the meat is white and opaque with no pink in the middle.
  • The juices should run clear when pierced with a fork.
  • The bones should wiggle freely when twisted.
  • The skin is crispy and browned.

If in doubt, cook wings for an extra 5 minutes to ensure they are cooked through. Raw or undercooked chicken can cause foodborne illness.

Conclusion

Knowing how long to cook frozen chicken wings ensures they turn out perfectly crispy and cooked through every time. Raw wings take at least 45-60 minutes to fully cook, while pre-cooked frozen wings just need 20-30 minutes to heat through. Factors like wing size, preparation method, and doneness preference can all impact total cook time. Use a thermometer and visual cues to test when wings are done for safety and ideal texture.