Air fryer chicken wings are tender inside with a crisp skin that will make everyone come for more. So easy to make and no thawing is required. In just 30 minutes you will get the best air fryer wings on the table.
Next time, try my baked chicken wings!

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❤️ Why You'll Love It
- So easy to make from frozen, if you are forgetful like me you will appreciate that.
- Just the perfect recipe for any party, potluck and also dinner, everyone loves chicken wings.
- Very versatile, dress it up however you like.
This is absolutely craveworthy recipe. Using the air fryer makes the skin crisp while still tender on the inside, no need for the baking powder trick here. My kids love the air fryer buffalo chicken more while I liked the shawarma ones.
📝 Ingredients
🥣 Equipment
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- Obviously you will need an air fryer for this recipe, this Cuisinart air fryer is what I use. Any other air fryer will work you just need to check your manual for settings.
🥄 Instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.
- We will use the air fryer to thaw the frozen wings in just 10 minutes. To do that cook frozen wings in a 400 degrees Fahrenheit air fryer for 5 minutes. No worries if the wings are clumped up together.
- Drain excess liquid at the bottom tray if any. Turn the wings to the other side and arrange in single layer air fry on 400F for another 5 minutes.
- To make plain chicken wings then sprinkle some salt and pepper on one side of the wings and air fry on 400F for 8-10 minutes each side.
- To make the shawarma spiced chicken wings, first mix the spices together with the lemon juice and oil.
- Add the chicken wings, toss to cover. Air fry on 400F for 8-10 minutes.
- Air fry wings on 400F for another 10 minutes turning them halfway through or shaking the basket once.
- To make hot wings combine sauce ingredients in a bowl and mix well, add wings and toss well to cover.
- Air fry again on 400F for another 8-10 minutes.
🍽️ Serve With
Serve plain crispy wings with the honey mustard sauce or your favorite dipping sauce like blue cheese dip, BBQ sauce, ranch, sweet and sour..etc. I like serving shawarma spiced wings with toum or tzatziki sauce.
🧺 Storage
Store any left over wings in an airtight container in your fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat wings simply air fry them for 2-3 minutes each side on 400F as well.
💡 Tips
- Flipping the wings every now and then is something necessary if you are using an air fryer oven. If using one with basket you just need to shake the air fryer basket every 5 minutes or so.
- Air frying on 8 minutes makes the wings crispy but I’ve found that 10 minutes is better for extra crispy wings.
- Air fryers are different so until you get used to yours you better check it 2 minutes before the suggested cooking time ends. Be sure that the chicken internal temperature reaches a minimum of 165°F when measured with a food thermometer.
- Your air fryer may smoke especially when cooking fatty food or if you are cooking multiple batches. If this starts to happen just add a couple of tablespoons of water or a piece of bread in the dripping pan or at the bottom of your air fryer. Please refer to your manual for safety and proper use.
- Saucy wings are better consumed right after they are mixed with sauce. They do not crisp up and reheat well.
- This recipe does not require brushing or spraying with more oil, wings have enough fat in them already and they will not stick.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
I recommend 10 minutes to thaw in the air fryer then cooking them for 8 minutes each side for an extra crispy skin extend that to 10 minutes. So the total would be from 26-30 minutes.
If your wings are already thawed then start from step two, otherwise I use my air fryer to thaw the frozen wings.
📣 More Recipes From the Blog
Air fryer has been one of the most important tools in my kitchen, here are some more air fryer recipes that takes just minutes to make.
- Garlic bread in air fryer, I've lost count of how many times I made this recipe that now my kids do them on their own when garlic bread craving hits!! yes this is how easy these are.
- These air fryer lamb chops are quick and easy fancy dinner recipe.
- Frozen burgers in the air fryer is another great way to fix dinner quickly especially for those back to school nights.
- The perfect Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings in less time than it would take you to preheat your oven.
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Air fryer frozen chicken wings
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds frozen chicken wings 8-10 wings
For the Chicken Shawarma wings:
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil.
- 2 Tablespoons lime juice.
Shawarma spice mix
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
- 1 teaspoon salt.
- 2 teaspoon ground coriander.
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.
- 12 teaspoon ground cumin.
- 2 teaspoon ground cardamom.
- 1 teaspoon paprika preferably smoked.
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional.
Buffalo sauce:
- 2 Tablespoons butter melted
- 1/4 cup Hot sauce I used Frank’s Original
- A pinch of salt
Honey mustard dipping sauce:
- 1/4 cup dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400F. If you do not have a preheat button then set your Air fryer to 400 and wait for 4-5 minutes for it to heat up.
- Place frozen chicken wings in there for 5 minutes. Do not worry if the wings are clumped up together.
- Drain excess liquid at the bottom tray if any.
- The wings will start to loosen up and separate , turn them to the other side and air fry on 400F for another 5 minutes.
- Now you should be able to fully separate the wings.
To make plain chicken wings:
- Separate wings and spread them over in your airy fryer basket.
- Sprinkle wings with salt and pepper on one side.
- Air fry on 400F for 8-10 minutes.
- Flip to the other side using kitchen tongues, season with salt and pepper then air fry again for another 8-10 minutes.
To make Shawarma rubbed chicken wings:
- In a bowl combine shawarma spices and mix.
- Add oil, lemon juice and mix well. Taste to adjust salt.
- Add the wings and toss to combine.
- Return wings to the air fryer and proceed with frying for 8-10 minutes each side.
To make Buffalo Chicken Wings:
- Air fry wings on 400F for another 10 minutes turning them halfway through or shaking the basket once.
- Combine sauce ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
- Add the chicken wings to the sauce and toss well.
- Air fry again on 400F for 8-10 minutes turning them halfway through or shaking the basket once.
To make the honey mustard dipping sauce:
- In a bowl whisk together the sauce ingredients until smooth and lump free.
To serve:
- Serve plain crispy wings with the honey mustard sauce or your favorite dipping sauce like blue cheese dip, BBQ sauce, ranch, sweet and sour..etc
Notes
- Flipping the wings every now and then is something necessary if you are using an air fryer oven. If using one with basket you just need to shake it every 5 minutes or so.
- If using fresh chicken wings that are already thawed then start after step 5.
- Air frying on 8 minutes makes the wings crispy but I’ve found that 10 minutes is better for extra crispy wings.
- Air fryers are different so until you get used to yours you better check it 2 minutes before the suggested cooking time ends.
- Your air fryer may smoke especially when cooking fatty food or if you are cooking multiple batches. If this starts to happen just add a couple of tablespoons of water or a piece of bread in the dripping pan or at the bottom of your air fryer. Please refer to your manual for safety and proper use.
- Saucy wings are better consumed right after they are mixed with sauce. They do not crisp up and reheat well.
- This recipe does not require brushing or spraying with more oil, wings have enough fat in them already and they will not stick.
- Serve shawarma spiced wings with toum or tzatziki sauce.
- Storage:
- Store any left over wings in a container in your fridge for 3-4 days.
- To reheat wings simply air fry them for 2-3 minutes each side on 400F as well.
- Nutrition values are calculated for the shawarma spiced wings without any dipping sauce.
- Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.
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