American · 400°F · 24 min
Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
Dry-brined wings, no baking powder circus required if the skin is dry and the basket is not packed. Frank's and butter at the end.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Plain crispy wings are the foundation. Get the skin right here and every sauced wing on KitchenLab gets better. The method is simple: dry the wings hard, toss with a little aluminum-free baking powder, cook hot in one layer and sauce only after they blister.
Baking powder, not baking soda
A teaspoon of aluminum-free baking powder raises the skin's pH so it browns and crisps. Baking soda tastes metallic and overdoes it. This is for the skin, not a batter that needs to rise.
Crowding is the usual failure
If wings touch, they steam. Two batches of shatter beat one pale pile. Flip halfway so both sides see the fan. Pull when the joint reads 175-185°F (79-85°C) and the skin is taut.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Prep 10 min · Cook 24 min · Total 34 min · 4 servings
Crowding. If they touch, you are steaming. Two batches. Always.
From frozen. From frozen: 400°F for 28-32 minutes, flip at 16. Salt after they look dry, not before. Ice crystals wash it off.
Step-by-step instructions
Follow each step in order. Photos show what to look for so the basket finish matches the plate.
Prep
Pat the wings completely dry. Toss with salt, pepper, garlic powder and baking powder until evenly coated. The baking powder helps the skin blister and brown.
Raw chicken wings coated in seasoning and baking powder If you have time, rest the wings uncovered in the fridge for 30-60 minutes so the surface dries further.
Cook
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Arrange in a single layer with space between pieces.
Chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket Cook 12 minutes. Flip. Cook 10-14 minutes more until the skin is shatter-crisp and the joint reads at least 175°F (79°C).
Crispy cooked chicken wings in the air fryer basket Rest 2 minutes, then serve plain or toss with your favorite sauce. For Buffalo or honey garlic, use those recipes after this base cook.
