Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings
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My air fryer frozen chicken wings are truly crispy, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. These are perfect for an appetizer, game day, or whenever you crave wings.
I cook chicken wings almost every week, so I always keep frozen wings on hand. When I forget to thaw them but still want wings, these air fryer frozen chicken wings are a lifesaver.
As the author of a new air fryer cookbook, I cook in the air fryer almost daily. But getting frozen wings truly crispy took some testing. I used the same seasonings from my popular air fryer chicken drumsticks and tested different temperatures and cook times to avoid that dreaded ‘just frozen’ taste.
The key is to start with a fully preheated, piping-hot air fryer, which prevents the wings from thawing too quickly and helps the skin crisp as the ice melts into the oil and seasonings.
Table of Contents
Why make frozen chicken wings in the air fryer
- Ready in 15 minutes. Pair them with air fryer French fries for the ultimate takeout fakeout meal!
- Crispy outside, tender inside. The texture is everything you’d want with chicken wings. The addition of baking powder guarantees this!
- Easy to customize. While delicious on their own, you can toss them through your favorite dipping or marinade sauces for the ultimate flavor explosion!
Key Ingredients
Here’s what goes into frozen air-fried wings, along with my kitchen notes. Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
- Frozen chicken wings. I prefer a mix of wings, flats, and drumettes, but use any specific cut you prefer.
- Olive oil. Enhances the crispy skin and keeps the juices intact.
- Brown sugar. A touch of brown sugar caramelizes the exterior and gives the skin an even crispier texture.
- Smoked paprika. I find paprika gives the wings a very subtle smokiness that makes them taste even more delicious.
- Kosher salt and black pepper. To taste.
- Baking powder. The secret ingredient to guarantee crispy chicken wings, but don’t fret- you won’t taste anything metallic or acidic whatsoever! Baking soda can be used, but add a teaspoon of vinegar to activate it.
How to cook frozen chicken wings in the air fryer
Step 1-Toss the frozen wings with olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika in a large bowl.
Step 2- Add a single layer of frozen chicken wings to the air fryer basket and cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Use a meat thermometer. This is my #1 tip for checking when chicken (or any meat) is ready to eat. Once the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, it is ready to eat!
- Cook in batches. Arrange in a single layer and ensure the air fryer basket is not overcrowded, allowing the hot air to crisp the skin to perfection.
- If you notice significant ice crystals (as in blocks of ice around each wing), let the chicken sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Too many ice crystals will result in chewy wings.
- Using different spices. Garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and cumin are flavor boosters that can amp up the flavor.
- Make buffalo wings. Toss the wings through 1/4 cup of buffalo sauce before adding them to the air fryer basket.
How to store leftovers
To store: Leftover wings can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to five days.
To reheat: I don’t like microwaving cold wings (you may as well eat them cold!)., but to get the crispiness back, place them back in the air fryer at 400°F for about 4 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can! If they are fresh wings, simply cook them as instructed. Yes, I tested these wings using store-bought, marinated, frozen wings, and they turned out very well. I’d just be wary that there’s usually excess sauce that pools to the bottom of the package, so the wings might not be as saucy as you’d expect.
Yes, like marinated wings, I tested a batch of breaded frozen wings. I recommend increasing the air-frying time by about 2 to 3 minutes and spraying the exterior with cooking spray for maximum crunch (as in my air fryer fried chicken).
✅ Nutrition reviewed
“Cooking chicken wings in the air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep frying, as it uses significantly less oil and reduces overall fat intake. Air frying still produces a crisp exterior while helping limit excess saturated fat.”- Felicia Newell, MScAHN, RD, CPT.
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings
Video
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds frozen chicken wings drumettes and flats
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
Instructions
- Lightly grease an air fryer basket, Preheat the air fryer to 190C/375F.
- Toss the frozen chicken wings in a bowl with olive oil. Add the brown sugar, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and baking powder and mix well.
- Add the frozen and seasoned chicken wings to the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165F, flipping halfway through.
- Remove the wings from the air fryer and serve immediately.
Notes
- Tips: See my recipe tips above for making the best air fryer frozen wings.
- Leftovers: Keep in the fridge, covered, for five days.
Don’t the need to be thawed in order to toss and evenly coat?
Hi Catherine- nope! I developed this recipe so that the wings could be air fried from frozen without affecting the texture. Of course, if you do thaw them overnight, the seasoning mix is fine, but I’d suggest cutting back on the cooking time- do 6 minutes per side and add more if needed.
Favourite go to for happy hour nibbles!! Yummo
Love that, Nicki- I’m gate crashing next time 🙂
Great taste, but the results really depend on the air fryer. I have the oven type and they didn’t get crispy but still tasted great.
Hi Danielle- thank you so much for your feedback! Do you mind telling me which air fryer model you have? I have three (yes, I am an air fryer nerd haha) and one of them is the oven type, and with all our recipes, I test in the standard basket and the oven type, and this worked well for both of them (identical results). If you let me know your brand used I can troubleshoot- I want you to get crispy wings haha! 🙂
These are the best air fryer chicken wings and SO fast. I can’t believe I had wings cooked in under 10 minutes.
Can I use the same recipe and cook in an oven?
Hi Lily yes- check out my oven baked chicken wings recipe. I include step by step photos and a video there, too 🙂
Thanks so much for your lovely comment, Nate. I’m glad you enjoyed my air fried wings.
Chicken is my favourite this recipe is so delicious 😋 thank you ☺️ Arman 🥰
Cooking time was perfect.
Make these chicken wings every time the game is on and it’s a winner.
LOVE this!
For that is baking powder here? Just curious what it is making in recipe in air fryers.
The baking powder is to help make the chicken crispy. Maybe I should have used more. But hubby loves them!
Thank you. Making these tonight.
Been following you. Your Recipes are wonderful and so helpful. Plan to get your cookbook. Thank you!
Aw, thanks Christine! I’ve actually just released my third cookbook, and it’s all about air frying!!! Hope you enjoy the recipes there.
GREAT FLAVOR TENDER AND CRISPY. WILL BE MAKING IT AGAIN
Made this this week and sooo crispy!
Nutrition Serving: 1 serving, Calories: 199kcal. How many wings to a serving?
3-4 wings 🙂
I am always hesitant to make wings because they often don’t get crisp enough and the skin stays too flabby for my liking. These are delicious and turn out nice and crisp with tender juicy meat. So great for a game day!
Just got an air fryer and so far; love it!
Your recipes look great..we eat lots of chicken.
Just got an air fryer and so far; love it!
Your recipes look great..we eat lots of chicken.
So delicious the family loved them,definitely on my menu rotation
Love that!!
Love these! We make them all the time!
Sooo fun & Delicious… thank you for sharing.
I wish the nutritional values included sugar for diabetics.
Will fix it 🙂
Easy to make and very tasty! I did cook my wings longer than just 9-10 minutes, but I like my protein cooked well done.
Hello, How much time is added if using Frozen wings? Thx
Just add an extra 2-3 minutes.
Thanks this was wonderful in that it’s simple. The airfryer worked great, 375f for 10 minutes 5 flip, 5 minutes more. Wow I enjoyed your seasoning it was great, but now I have some more ideas! Thanks so much!
So where does the baking powder fit in to this recipe? Like when do we add it?
With the seasonings.
For extra crispy. You need to air fry for at 10 MINUTES!