Name: Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Extra Crispy!)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 16 min
Total time: 21 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Chicken wings (drumettes and flats, separated if whole); Olive oil (or another neutral cooking oil); Garlic salt; Lemon pepper seasoning

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These air fryer chicken wings have everything I love in a wing — crisp, salty skin with a juicy, tender center, all seasoned with garlic salt and lemon pepper. I like how quickly they cook without the need for marinating, making them perfect for a last-minute snack, party appetizer, or game day treat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I enjoy making wings in the air fryer because they cook in just 16 minutes with no preheating required. The hot circulating air gives them an unbeatable crispiness that’s hard to get in the oven. With just three simple ingredients, I can have a restaurant-style snack in minutes, ready to pair with my favorite dipping sauces.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Chicken wings (drumettes and flats, cut from whole wings if needed)
Olive oil (or another neutral cooking oil)
Garlic salt
Lemon pepper seasoning

Directions

I pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels and place them in a large bowl.
I drizzle them with oil, sprinkle with garlic salt and lemon pepper, and toss to coat evenly.
I arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space for air to circulate.
I air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes, shake the basket to flip the wings, then cook for another 8 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
I serve them hot with celery sticks and my favorite dipping sauce.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 4 servings. Cooking time is 16 minutes, plus 5 minutes for prep.

Variations

I sometimes toss the wings in buffalo sauce after cooking for a spicy kick.
For a sweet and tangy flavor, I coat them with honey garlic sauce.
I like adding a touch of smoked paprika to the seasoning mix for extra depth.
I occasionally double the batch for a crowd, cooking in two batches to keep them crispy.

Storage/reheating

I store cooled wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, I place them in the air fryer at 400°F for 4–5 minutes to restore crispiness.

FAQs

Do I need to marinate the wings before air frying?

No, I season them right before cooking, and they turn out flavorful without marinating.

Can I double the recipe in one batch?

If my air fryer is large enough, yes, but for the crispiest wings I cook them in a single layer, in batches if needed.

Can I bake these in the oven instead?

Yes, but they take longer — about 45–60 minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway.

What sauces go best with these wings?

I love ranch, blue cheese dressing, buffalo sauce, honey garlic, or lemon pepper butter.

Can I use frozen wings?

Yes, but I add about 5–6 minutes to the cooking time and season them halfway through after they’ve thawed slightly in the air fryer.

Conclusion

These air fryer chicken wings are my go-to for quick, crispy, and flavorful wings without the mess of deep frying. I love how the skin gets perfectly golden while the meat stays juicy inside. Whether I serve them plain, sauced, or alongside classic celery and dip, they always disappear fast.