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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings

Ayla Clulee
My Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings are perfect for those days when I want sticky, smoky wings with crisp skin but don’t want to heat up the kitchen.
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Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 11 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 590 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs chicken wings (1 kilo)
  • ½ tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ¼ tsp chili (adjust it to your taste)
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • parsley to garnish

Instructions
 

Prepare the Chicken Wings

  • Start by checking that the wings are split into flats and drumettes. If you have whole chicken wings, cut through the joints and remove the tips. You can save the wing tips for stock or discard them.
  • Place the wings on a tray or in a large bowl lined with paper towels. Pat them dry very well on all sides. This step matters more than people think. If the wings are wet, the air fryer has to dry the surface first before it can brown the skin, and that can leave you with softer wings.
  • If you have time, place the dried wings uncovered in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. This is not required, but it helps dry the skin even more. If you are short on time, just pat them dry properly and carry on.
  • Add the wings to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle over the olive oil, then add the baking powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and chili pepper.
  • Toss everything together with your hands or tongs until the wings are evenly covered. The seasoning should look thin and dry on the skin, not pasty. If you see clumps of baking powder, keep tossing until they disappear.
  • Do not add the BBQ sauce yet. BBQ sauce has sugar, and sugar can burn if it spends too long in the air fryer. The wings need to cook and crisp first, then the sauce goes on near the end.

Air Fry the Wings

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F / 200°C for 3 minutes if your model needs preheating. Some air fryers heat very quickly, but preheating gives the wings a better start and helps with browning.
  • Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil if your air fryer tends to stick. Avoid using too much oil, as chicken wings release fat as they cook.
  • Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Leave a little space between them if you can. They can sit close together, but they should not be piled on top of each other. Cook in batches if needed.
  • Air fry the wings at 400°F / 200°C for 10 minutes. Open the basket, turn the wings over with tongs, then cook for another 8 to 10 minutes. The exact time depends on the size of the wings and the strength of your air fryer.
  • At this stage, the wings should look browned and lightly crisp. Check the thickest part of a few pieces with a meat thermometer. They need to reach at least 165°F / 74°C. Wings often taste better when cooked a little past that point, around 175°F to 185°F / 79°C to 85°C, because the skin crisps more and the meat near the bone softens.

Add the BBQ Sauce

  • Transfer the cooked wings to a clean bowl. Pour over the BBQ sauce and honey if using. Toss until the wings are covered with sauce.
  • Return the sauced wings to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 380°F / 193°C for 3 to 5 minutes, just until the sauce turns sticky and warm. Keep an eye on them during this last stage because BBQ sauce can darken quickly.
  • If you like extra saucy wings, brush on a little more BBQ sauce after they come out of the air fryer. If you prefer crispier wings, use less sauce and serve extra on the side for dipping.
  • Let the wings rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving. The sauce will settle slightly as the wings cool, and they will be easier to pick up without burning your fingers.
  • Serve them hot with ranch, blue cheese dip, coleslaw, potato salad, corn on the cob, fries, or a simple green salad.

Notes

  • Pat the wings very dry before seasoning. This helps the skin crisp better in the air fryer.
  • Add the BBQ sauce near the end of cooking, not at the beginning. BBQ sauce can burn quickly because of the sugar.
  • Cook the wings in a single layer so the hot air can move around them properly. If your air fryer basket is small, cook them in batches.
  • Use a meat thermometer if you can. The wings should reach at least 165°F / 74°C in the thickest part.
  • For stickier wings, return them to the air fryer for a few minutes after tossing with BBQ sauce.
Keyword air fryer, appetizer, chicken wings, finger food, game day food, snack