Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to make crispy, delicious chicken wings and other foods at home with less oil than traditional frying. However, it can be frustrating when your air fried wings come out soggy instead of crispy.
There are a few common reasons why your air fryer wings may not get as crispy as you would like:
Not Enough Oil
One of the main purposes of air frying is to use little to no oil and cook food from hot, rapidly circulating air instead. However, some oil is still needed to help the wings get crispy. Too little oil can result in soggy wings. Make sure to lightly coat the wings in a thin layer of oil before cooking. Spraying or brushing with oil works well.
Overcrowding
Like any cooking method, overcrowding is never a good idea in an air fryer. When you overload the basket with too many wings, it prevents proper air circulation and they will not get as crispy. Only cook a single layer of wings at a time, being careful not to overstack.
Not Preheating Properly
For best results, your air fryer needs time to preheat before cooking. Most models recommend preheating for 3-5 minutes at the desired temperature before adding food. Skipping this step means the air fryer needs to work harder to get up to temp, resulting in less crispy results.
Cooking at Too Low Temperature
Crispiness requires high heat. If the air fryer temperature is too low, it will take longer for the wings to crisp up. Most recipes call for cooking wings around 380-400°F. Be sure to use an adequate cooking temp.
Not Cooking Long Enough
Depending on their size, chicken wings may need 20-30 minutes in the air fryer to get fully cooked and crispy. Undercooking is a common mistake. Be patient and cook them long enough at the proper temp. Flip the wings halfway through for even cooking.
Using a Low Quality Air Fryer
Not all air fryers perform equally when it comes to crisping. Cheaper models may lack the power and airflow circulation needed to properly crisp up wings. Invest in a good quality air fryer if crispiness is a priority for you.
Excess Marinade or Sauce
Marinades and sauces add great flavor to wings, but too much can make them soggy. Pat off any excess marinade before cooking. Brush on heavier sauces after cooking instead of before.
Cooking Frozen Wings
Air fryers will struggle to make frozen wings as crispy as fresh or thawed. Always thaw wings in the refrigerator before cooking. The frozen center inhibits browning.
Tips for Crispier Air Fryer Wings
Now that you know some of the common pitfalls, here are tips to ensure your wings get super crispy in the air fryer:
Use Baking Powder
Baking powder helps wings get extra crispy skin by raising their pH before cooking. Simply toss dry wings with 1 tsp baking powder per pound of wings. Let sit for 30 minutes before cooking. Rinse and pat dry.
Use a Wire Rack
Cooking wings on a wire rack elevated in the air fryer basket allows for maximum air circulation all around. The rack also prevents soggy steam from building up underneath.
Let Wings Sit Before Saucing
As mentioned, heavy sauces can ruin the crispiness you worked so hard to achieve. Resist saucing until after cooking. Let cooked wings rest for 5 minutes before brushing on thicker sauces.
Finish Under the Broiler
If wings are still not as crispy as you’d like out of the air fryer, finish them under a hot broiler for 1-2 minutes to crisp them up. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
Pat Wings Dry
Any moisture on the exterior of wings will diminish crispiness. Pat wings very dry with paper towels after seasoning or marinating and before cooking.
Cut Wings Into Sections
Whole wings or drumettes alone may come out crisper than keeping the flats and drumettes attached. More exposed surface area means better air circulation.
Best Practices for Crispy Air Fryer Wings
Follow these best practices, and you will be rewarded with perfect, crispy wings every time:
– Thoroughly pat wings dry before and after seasoning
– Lightly coat wings with oil (1-2 tsp per lb)
– Preheat air fryer fully before cooking
– Use baking powder for extra crispy skin
– Cook wings in a single layer, not crowded
– Flip wings halfway through cooking
– Let wings rest 5 minutes before saucing
– Finish wings under broiler if needed
Here is a quick table summarizing the key tips:
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Pat Wings Dry | Remove excess moisture before and after seasoning |
| Lightly Oil | Brush or spray with 1-2 tsp oil per lb of wings |
| Preheat Fryer | Preheat for 3-5 minutes before adding wings |
| Use Baking Powder | Toss wings with 1 tsp per lb to increase crispiness |
| Don’t Overcrowd | Cook wings in a single layer for best results |
| Flip Halfway | Flip wings midway through cooking for even crispiness |
| Let Sit Before Saucing | Allow wings to rest 5 minutes before brushing with sauce |
| Finish Under Broiler | Optionally broil 1-2 minutes to maximize crispiness |
Best Air Fryer Settings for Chicken Wings
The right temperature and cook times are essential for crispy wings straight from your air fryer. Here are the optimal air fryer settings:
– Temperature: 380°F – 400°F
– Cook Time: 20-30 minutes
– Flip Wings Halfway Through
Adjust times as needed based on the size of your wings and your particular model of air fryer. Smaller wings may cook faster than larger wings. Checking wings and testing doneness as you go is recommended.
For boneless wings, the cook time may be slightly less, around 15-25 minutes at the same temperatures above. Again, keep an eye on them and adjust cook time as needed.
Tender and Crisp
The goal is wings that are crispy and browned on the outside but still juicy and tender inside. Following these guidelines will ensure you achieve the ideal texture every time.
Common Air Fryer Wing Recipes
Here are some delicious, foolproof air fryer wing recipes to try:
Basic Air Fryer Wings
Ingredients:
– 3 lbs chicken wings, cut into drumettes and flats
– 2 Tbsp olive oil
– 1 tsp salt
– 1 tsp pepper
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– 1 tsp paprika
Instructions:
1. Pat wings dry with paper towels. Cut into drumettes and flats if needed.
2. Toss wings with olive oil and seasonings in a bowl until fully coated.
3. Arrange wings in a single layer in air fryer basket.
4. Cook at 400°F for 22-28 minutes, flipping halfway.
5. Let wings rest 5 minutes before saucing if desired.
Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings
Ingredients:
– 5 lbs chicken wings, cut into sections
– 1/4 cup lemon juice
– 2 Tbsp olive oil
– 2 Tbsp lemon pepper seasoning
– 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions:
1. Mix lemon juice, olive oil, lemon pepper, and salt in a bowl. Add wings and toss to coat. Let marinate 30 minutes.
2. Pat wings completely dry with paper towels. Arrange in a single layer in air fryer.
3. Cook at 380°F for 25-30 minutes, flipping wings halfway through.
4. Garnish with lemon wedges if desired.
Crispy Buffalo Air Fryer Wings
Ingredients:
– 24 chicken wings, cut into flats and drumettes
– 1 Tbsp baking powder
– 1⁄2 cup hot sauce
– 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
– Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for serving
Instructions:
1. Pat wings dry with paper towels. Sprinkle with baking powder and toss to coat. Let sit for 30 minutes.
2. Arrange wings in a single layer in air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for 22-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
3. In a bowl, mix melted butter and hot sauce.
4. Brush sauce over cooked wings. Serve with dressing for dipping.
FAQs about Air Fryer Wings
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about making crispy, delicious air fryer wings:
Should You Flip Wings in the Air Fryer?
Yes, flipping the wings halfway through the cook time is recommended. This allows both sides to cook evenly and prevents one side from overcooking.
How Long Does it Take to Cook Wings in an Air Fryer?
Whole wings typically take 22-28 minutes at 380°F – 400°F in an air fryer. Boneless wings may cook slightly quicker, around 15-22 minutes.
Can You Air Fry Frozen Wings?
It’s best to thaw frozen wings before air frying. Air fryers work best when cooking fully thawed or fresh wings. Frozen wings are unlikely to get crispy.
Should You Cook Wings From Raw in Air Fryer?
Yes, raw, uncooked wings cook up wonderfully right in the air fryer. Pat them dry, season as desired, and air fry at 380°F – 400°F until cooked through and crispy.
Do You Need Oil for Air Fryer Wings?
A light coating of oil is recommended before air frying wings. Oil helps facilitate browning and crisping. Use just 1-2 tsp of oil per lb of wings.
Make Your Best Wings Ever with an Air Fryer
An air fryer is a great way to get restaurant-quality wings at home with a fraction of the oil and calories of deep frying. Now that you know how to avoid common pitfalls and follow proper technique, you can look forward to perfect, crispy wings every time.
Be sure to pat wings dry, allow proper space for air circulation, cook at the right temperature, and resist heavy saucing until wings have rested after cooking. Follow this advice, and you will be an air fryer wing pro in no time!