Airfryers have become incredibly popular kitchen appliances for making deliciously crispy foods with less oil. Making hot wings in an airfryer is a great way to enjoy this tasty appetizer or snack without all the excess calories and mess of deep frying. Compared to baking wings in the oven, airfryer hot wings cook up juicier and crispier, in a fraction of the time. The circulating hot air quickly browns the skin and seals in moisture. Plus, cleanup is a breeze since oil splatter is minimized. These crunchy airfryer hot wings are perfect for game day, parties, or anytime you get a hankering for spicy chicken. Let’s dive into how to make these finger-licking wings right in your airfryer.
Why Cook Hot Wings In The Air Fryer?
Here are a few reasons why cooking hot wings in an air fryer can be a good idea:
- It’s fast and convenient – Air fryers cook food very quickly using rapid air circulation. This allows the wings to cook up crispy and browned in a fraction of the time of baking them in the oven.
- Less oil needed – Air fryers require little to no oil to cook food. The wings will get crispy from the hot air rather than being deep fried in oil. Using less oil is healthier.
- Good texture – The hot circulating air will help the wings get crispy and crunchy on the outside while keeping the inside moist. The wings develop a nice texture without the need for deep frying.
- Less messy – With no need for submerging the wings in a vat of oil, there will be less splatter and less cleanup afterwards. The air fryer contains any mess.
- Retains flavor – Air frying won’t make the wings soggy so they better retain their spice and sauce flavors compared to other cooking methods.
- Versatile – An air fryer can be used to cook all kinds of wings including breaded, baked or sauced. Different flavors can be cooked quickly one batch after another.
Ingredients For Hot Wings
To make airfryer hot wings, you will need:
- Chicken wings (drumettes and/or flats)
- Oil (vegetable, avocado, etc.)
- Spices and seasonings
- Sauce (hot sauce, BBQ, etc.)
When selecting wings, choose fresh, meaty wings rather than pre-sectioned frozen wings which tend to have a lot of ice crystals. Thaw wings completely before cooking. Pat the wings dry thoroughly with paper towels. This helps get that ultra-crispy skin. To prep, simply toss the wings with a tablespoon or two of oil. This ensures the wings get nicely browned and cook evenly. Feel free to rub on any dry spices like garlic powder, smoked paprika or cayenne pepper.
Airfryer Cooking Hot Wings
Airfrying wings allows you to skip messy deep frying while still getting gorgeously golden and tender wings.
- Pre-heat airfryer to 380°F.
- Place wings in airfryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd.
- Airfry wings for 15 minutes, flip wings, then cook another 10-15 minutes until browned and cooked through.
The key is starting with a high temp to crisp the skin, then lowering to 360°F after flipping to gently finish cooking. Check for doneness by cutting into a wing to ensure no pinkness remains. The juices should run clear.
Sauce For Hot Wings
The sauce is what really makes hot wings pop with flavor. Some classic sauce options include:
- Hot sauce – Frank’s RedHot, Tabasco, Crystal, Texas Pete, etc. Whisk with butter or oil.
- BBQ sauce – Sweet Baby Ray’s, Stubbs, make your own.
- Teriyaki sauce – For a sweet glaze. Mix with Sriracha or chili paste for heat.
- Honey mustard sauce – Equal parts honey + mustard. Whisk in oil and spices.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1-2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1-2 teaspoons onion powder or chopped onion
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan or in the microwave.
- Whisk in the hot sauce, garlic powder, onion, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a simmer for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Let the sauce cool slightly before tossing with the freshly cooked wings. The residual heat from the wings will further warm the sauce. Feel free to get creative and experiment with your own flavored wing sauces. Stir in honey, different spices, citrus, etc. The possibilities are endless.
Serving Suggestions For Hot Wings
These easy airfryer wings pair perfectly with:
- Celery and carrot sticks with ranch or blue cheese dip
- Crispy fries or tater tots
- Coleslaw, potato salad or macaroni salad
- Cheese curds, fried pickles or jalapeño poppers
For extra flavor, try tossing the plain cooked wings in:
- Smoked paprika, chili powder and lime juice
- Minced garlic, parmesan and Italian seasoning
- Onion powder, brown sugar and soy sauce
Get creative with fun presentations like serving wings in mini buckets or paper cones. Arrange stacked wings on a platter with dipping sauces in the center for a tasty spread.
FAQs
What if my wings aren’t cooked through?
Increase airfryer temp to 400°F and cook wings 5 minutes longer. Cut to test doneness.
Can I make boneless wings?
Yes! Follow same instructions but reduce airfryer cook times by 2-3 minutes since boneless wings cook faster.
How long do leftover wings last?
Store sauced wings up to 4 days refrigerated. Reheat in airfryer or oven until hot.
Conclusion: Hot Wings
Air fryer hot wings are an easy, healthy, and delicious snack you can make right at home. Simply coat the wings with oil and seasoning, air fry until crispy, then toss in your favorite sauce. Served with classic accompaniments like ranch or blue cheese dressing and crisp celery and carrots, these wings are sure satisfy any wing lover. For more air fryer recipes and cooking tips, check out my website Cheen Huaye. I’m always adding new content, so be sure to subscribe to my email newsletter so you never miss out on the latest air frying inspiration. Thanks for reading and happy air frying.
Easy Hot Wings (Airfryer)
Notes
· For crispier wings, bake for an additional 5-10 minutes after tossing in the hot sauce.
· Double the recipe to serve a larger crowd.
· Get creative with your dipping sauces! BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or even a creamy garlic sauce would be delicious options.
Ingredients
- • 2 lbs whole chicken wings, separated into wingettes and drumettes (tips can be reserved for stock)
- • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- • 1/2 cup hot sauce (of your choice - Frank's RedHot, Sriracha, etc.)
- • 2 tbsp melted butter
- • 1 tbsp honey (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
- • 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional, for a richer flavor)
- • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- • 1/4 tsp onion powder
- • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- • Blue cheese dressing
- • Ranch dressing
- • Celery sticks with hot sauce
- • Carrots with ranch dressing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. Toss with vegetable oil, salt, and pepper.
- Arrange the wings on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- While the wings are baking, whisk together all hot sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Once the wings are cooked, toss them in the hot sauce mixture until well coated.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces. Paper plates and napkins work perfectly for this casual setting.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Hot Wings (Airfryer)
Serves: 4 persons
| Amount Per Serving: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 600 | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 40 | 61.5% | |
| Saturated Fat 15 | 75% | |
| Trans Fat 0 | ||
| Cholesterol 120mg | 40% | |
| Sodium 1200mg | 50% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 20 | 6.7% | |
| Dietary Fiber 2 | 8% | |
| Sugars 3 | ||
| Protein 40 | ||
| Vitamin A 0 | Vitamin C 0 | |
| Calcium 30mg | Iron 3mg | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Cheen Huaye
Executive Chef Marco Velasquez brings his unique, elevated Mexican cuisine to Cheen Huaye. A native of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Marco honed his skills in some of South Florida’s finest restaurants before opening his own restaurant.
At Cheen Huaye, you’ll experience authentic Yucatecan dishes made from fresh ingredients, to order. Our food has been praised by publications like the Miami New Times and continues to receive rave reviews from diners all over. So if you’re looking for a different take on Mexican food – one that’s still familiar yet exciting – come visit us at Cheen Huaye!