Introduction
Air fryers have become an increasingly popular kitchen appliance for making quick and delicious meals. One of the most mouthwatering dishes you can make in an air fryer is crispy, saucy BBQ wings! With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can enjoy restaurant-quality wings from the comfort of your own home.
An air fryer allows you to cook wings that are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside without the mess and unhealthiness of deep frying. The circulating hot air cooks food by quickly moving around it, which also reduces cooking times. Making BBQ wings in an air fryer gives you all the flavor and crunch you crave with way less fat and calories.
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to make perfect BBQ wings in an air fryer, along with tips and tricks for the best results.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings, separated into drummettes and flats
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Wings
- Pat the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels. Make sure they are dried well so the outside gets crispy when cooking.
- In a large bowl, toss the wings with baking powder until fully coated. The baking powder will help the skin get extra crispy.
- Let the wings sit with the baking powder for about 15-30 minutes.
Step 2: Coat and Season the Wings
- Add the olive oil, salt, and pepper to the wings and toss to fully coat each wing.
- You can add any other desired seasonings at this point too, like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, etc.
Step 3: Air Fry the Wings
- Place wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd. Cook wings in batches if needed.
- Air fry at 400°F for 18-22 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through cooking.
- The wings are done when the skin is crispy and browned and the insides reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Step 4: Toss the Wings in BBQ Sauce
- In a large bowl, toss the cooked wings with the BBQ sauce until fully coated.
- Optionally, you can toss the wings with sauce in the final 2-3 minutes of cook time if you want the sauce to thicken and caramelize slightly.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
- The baking powder really helps get a crispy skin, so don’t skip that step!
- Letting the wings sit with baking powder on helps dry out the skin. You can even let them sit in the fridge uncovered for up to 24 hours.
- Don’t overcrowd wings in the basket. Cook in batches for even cooking.
- Flip the wings halfway during cooking for evenly browned and crisped wings.
- Brush wings with a little oil before air frying for extra crispy skin.
- Toss in your favorite sauce in the last few minutes of cooking to let the sauce thicken.
- Double check wings have reached 165°F internal temperature before removing.
- Let cooked wings rest 5 minutes before tossing in sauce or serving for juicier meat.
- Customize your wings with different dry rubs or wet sauces like buffalo, teriyaki, lemon pepper, etc.
- Serve wings with veggies, ranch or blue cheese dressing for a hearty meal.
Making BBQ wings in the air fryer is so quick and easy, with crispy seared wings in just 20 minutes. Follow the steps above for the ultimate game day appetizer or weeknight dinner the whole family will devour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature and time should I cook wings in an air fryer?
Cook at 400°F for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Can I make boneless wings in the air fryer?
Yes, follow the same method reducing time to 14-18 minutes as boneless wings cook faster.
What oil is best for air frying wings?
Use an oil with a high smoke point like avocado, grapeseed or olive oil.
How can I make extra crispy wings in the air fryer?
Letting wings sit coated in baking powder for up to 24 hours dries out the skin. Also fully pat dry before cooking.
Do I need to flip the wings during air frying?
Yes, flipping halfway through ensures even browning and crispiness.
What sauces go well with air fried wings?
BBQ, buffalo, teriyaki, lemon pepper, honey mustard, etc. Toss cooked wings in sauce.
Can I cook frozen wings in an air fryer?
Yes, add a few extra minutes to the cook time. Thaw first for less time.
Conclusion
Air fried BBQ wings are guaranteed to be a big hit! Following this easy guide, you’ll end up with perfectly cooked wings boasting a crispy exterior and juicy interior drenched in sticky sweet and tangy barbecue sauce.
The air fryer does all the hard work for you, eliminating the need for deep frying. Feel free to switch up the sauce to create a variety of flavors.
Now that you know how to make mouthwatering BBQ wings in your air fryer, get cooking and enjoy this classic appetizer! Be prepared for requests for second helpings.