These Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings deliver the perfect blend of crispy exterior and juicy, tender meat in just 30 minutes. Whether you’re hosting game day festivities or simply treating yourself to a finger-licking dinner, these wings hit all the right notes. The air fryer works its magic, creating that irresistible crunch without deep frying, while the BBQ sauce adds a sweet and tangy glaze that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds.
Fresh & Flavorful Air Fryer BBQ Wings
- Chicken Wings: 1 pound, split into flats and drums for even cooking
- Oil: 1 tablespoon, helps achieve that perfect crispy exterior
- Garlic Salt: 1 teaspoon, adds savory depth
- BBQ Sauce: 1/2 cup, for that perfect sticky-sweet finish
Let’s Make Perfect Wings!
- Prep the Wings: Clean and pat those wings completely dry – this ensures maximum crispiness!
- Season with Love: Toss wings in oil and garlic salt until evenly coated
- Prep Air Fryer: Line basket with parchment or foil for easy cleanup
- First Cooking Phase: Air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes
- Flip & Continue: Turn wings over and cook another 8-10 minutes until golden
- Crisp it Up: In final 2-3 minutes, spray with oil for extra crispiness
- Sauce Time: Transfer to bowl, toss with BBQ sauce until well-coated
- Serve & Enjoy: Dive into these perfectly crispy, saucy wings while hot!
Air Fryer Success Tips
Hey there! Want super crispy wings? Here’s a friendly tip: don’t overcrowd your air fryer basket – give those wings some room to get nice and crispy. Also, that final oil spray really makes a difference in getting that golden-brown finish we all love. If your wings are larger, you might need an extra 2-3 minutes per side. Just check that they reach 165°F (74°C) inside.
Sauce Variations
While classic BBQ sauce is amazing, you can switch things up! Try buffalo sauce for that classic wing joint flavor, or mix honey with your BBQ sauce for sweet and sticky wings. Love it spicy? Add a dash of hot sauce to your BBQ sauce. You can also try teriyaki sauce or even a simple garlic parmesan coating (just toss with melted butter, grated parmesan, and garlic powder after cooking).
Perfect Pairings
These wings are just begging for some cool and crunchy sides! Serve them with celery and carrot sticks, plus your favorite dipping sauce like ranch or blue cheese dressing. Want to make it a meal? Add some crispy french fries or a fresh coleslaw. Don’t forget extra napkins – these wings are deliciously messy!
Storage & Reheating
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Keep them in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes – they’ll crisp right up again. If you haven’t added sauce yet, even better – sauce them after reheating for the best texture.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Mixing Bowl
- Paper Towels
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken wings split into flats and drums
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Gently rinse your chicken pieces and pat dry with a paper towels.
- Place the chicken pieces into a mixing bowl.
- Pour the oil over the chicken.
- Sprinkle the garlic salt over the chicken, then toss the chicken to coat evenly.
- Place parchment paper or foil in the bottom of your air fryer basket. (This will allow for easier cleanup.)
- Place the chicken into the air fryer basket.
- Air fry the chicken at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
- Flip the chicken wings and cook for another 8-10 minutes.
- In the last 2-3 minutes, open the air fryer basket and generously spray the chicken with cooking oil to help crisp them. (optional)
- Remove the chicken pieces from the air fryer basket and place them into a bowl. Pour the BBQ sauce over the chicken and toss to coat. Enjoy!
