Tailgate Crispy Air Fryer Wings (Printable)
Golden, crispy chicken wings seasoned with classic spices, air fried to juicy perfection for any casual event.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 pounds chicken wings, split and tips removed
→ Spice Rub
02 - 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - ½ teaspoon onion powder
06 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
07 - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
08 - 1 tablespoon aluminum-free baking powder
→ Sauce (optional)
09 - ¼ cup hot sauce (such as Franks RedHot)
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
# Directions:
01 - Pat the chicken wings dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure crispiness.
02 - In a large bowl, combine salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and baking powder.
03 - Add the wings to the bowl and toss well to coat evenly with the spice mixture.
04 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
05 - Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not touch (cook in batches if necessary).
06 - Air fry for 25 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
07 - While the wings cook, mix hot sauce and melted butter in a large bowl. Add cooked wings and toss to coat evenly.
08 - Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce and celery sticks.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The baking powder trick creates restaurant-quality crispiness without deep frying
- These wings come together faster than delivery and taste infinitely better
02 -
- Never overcrowd the air fryer basket—wings touching will steam each other and stay rubbery
- Let sauced wings rest for 2 minutes before serving so the sauce sets rather than running off
03 -
- Line your air fryer basket with foil for easier cleanup, but poke holes so air still circulates
- If wings aren't crisping enough, add 2-3 minutes—every air fryer heats differently