Chicken wings are a family favourite, great for dinners and party platters. In these air fryer chicken wings recipes, you’ll find something for all tastes. Plus tips to ensure crispy chicken wings, air fryer frequently asked questions and more!
Base recipe
Toss 1.5kg chicken wings with chosen marinade in a large bowl. Refrigerate for 1–2 hours. Preheat air fryer (if required) to 180°C for 3 minutes. Place chicken in basket. Slide basket into appliance. Keep temperature the same and set the timer for 40 minutes; cook, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked.
Marinade 1: sticky sesame chicken wings
Combine 4 thinly sliced green onions, 3 crushed cloves garlic, ¼ cup each soy sauce and Chinese cooking wine (shao hsing), 3 tsp finely grated ginger and 2 tbsp brown sugar in a bowl. Marinate the wings and cook as per recipe above. Serve cooked wings topped with 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and extra sliced green onion.
Marinade 2: Pineapple huli huli chicken wings
Combine ⅓ cup firmly packed brown sugar, ⅔ cup fresh pineapple juice, ½ cup each tomato sauce and soy sauce, ⅓ cup malt vinegar, 1 tbsp finely grated ginger and 2 crushed cloves garlic in a frying pan. Boil over medium heat for 5 minutes. Sprinkle wings with 1 tbsp paprika before tossing with marinade. Cook as per recipe above. Serve cooked wings topped with coriander.
Marinade 3: Sticky pomegranate
Stir 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 1½ cups pomegranate juice, 3 tsp grated orange rind, 2 crushed cloves garlic, 1½ tbsp each Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce, and ⅓ cup tomato sauce in a saucepan. Bring to the boil; stir occasionally over medium heat for 10 minutes or until reduced by half. Marinate the wings and cook as per recipe above. Serve cooked wings topped with pomegranate seeds.
Marinade 4: Smoky barbecue
Combine ½ cup honey, ½ cup smoky barbecue sauce and 2 tbsp teriyaki sauce in a bowl. Marinate the wings and cook as per recipe above. Serve cooked wings with thinly sliced long red chilli and lime wedges. Or try this recipe for sticky barbecue chicken nibbles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the air fryer work?
An air fryer is basically an amped up benchtop convection oven that works by pushing hot air around food. The rapid circulation of air in the confined space helps make food crisp, just like deep frying, but with much less oil. There are a few different styles of air fryer on the market, from single drawer basket air fryers to oven air fryers to dual drawer air fryers.
How long does it take to cook chicken wings in the air fryer?
In this recipe, chicken wings take 40 minutes to cook in the air fryer. Chicken nibbles, where the wing is split into two pieces, take about 20 minutes.
Do wings need to be flipped in the air fryer?
Yes, we recommend using silicone tipped tongs to flip the chicken wings a few times during cooking. This ensures even cooking and browning.
Why are my wings not crispy in the air fryer?
Overcrowding in the air fryer basket can lead to the wings not crisping up during the cooking process. To address this, open the basket a few times while cooking and with care, as it will be hot, turn and reposition the wings.
