In culinary terms, when you talk about chicken, there are really no limits. You will find it everywhere, all of its delicious parts, in various different forms.
In most cases, chicken is relatively easy to prepare and cook, and you can always freeze it and find it in almost the exact same fresh state after the process.
Among many other attributes, these are the main ones that make chicken so amazing. Air frying is also a perfect way to make your chicken wings scruptious.
There are a lot of ways to air fry chicken, but how long does it take to air fry chicken wings at 400°F?
It will take no longer than about 20 minutes, but let’s learn a little more about air frying chicken wings at that temperature.
The Right Time For Chicken Wings In An Air Fryer At 400°F
Making chicken wings in an air fryer at 400°F is the best if you want to achieve a combination of a golden and crispy exterior and juicy interior. And, in general, that process will take just about 15-20 minutes of your precious time.
When I say “in general,” I mean that the exact time may vary depending on a few important factors.
What Affects The Time Of Air-Frying?
There are several important factors to consider when air frying chicken wings in terms of the time they’ll need to spend inside. So, here are they:
1. Size and Thickness: This is the first and most obvious factor. Normal-sized or thinner and smaller chicken wings will usually take around 15-20 minutes to air fry.
However, if the wings are larger and thicker, they will have to stay inside for additional 3-5 minutes.
2. Desired Crispiness: If you are dealing withe smaller wings, but want them to be a bit crispier, you’ll have to add a few extra minutes for air frying, or air fry for least 20 minutes.
If you are frying large chicken wings, my suggestion is to air fry them for about 25 minutes for some extra crispiness.
3. Preheating Time: If you have not preheated the air fryer properly, the recommended time won’t be enough to bring them to the desired quality level, so it is best to preheat it at 400°F for at least 2-3 minutes.
4. Fresh or Frozen Chicken Wings: Frozen chicken will take a bit longer to air fry because they need additional time to first defrost and then cook properly.
5. Air Fryer Model and Capacity: Finally, air fryers with a stronger capacity will take less time to cook your chicken wings.
Why Air Fryer?
The goal is to cook food as quickly as possible while retaining the best flavor and nutrition. I won’t say that an air fryer can do this perfectly, but it comes closer than some other ways.
For example, oven-baked (baking chicken breasts, for example) and Instant Pot wings are great for large crowns, but it takes quite some time for them to cook, mostly over 1 hour.
By putting those wings in an air fryer, you will save at least 40 minutes of your precious time.
Aside from that, very few people don’t like fried chicken, but it is mostly made by deep-frying. Although not the same, you will achieve that same crunchiness and inside juiciness with air frying.
Also, you don’t need that much oil, so you will save that precious ingredient, and your fried chicken will have less fat and cholesterol, consequently leading to fewer calories and a healthier option.
I also have to emphasize that you dont have to do a lot of work when cleaning it because most models have removable and dishwasher-safe parts, such as the cooking basket.
What Type is The Best?
I personally use a Philips Airfryer XXL since it has a large capacity, allowing me to air fry a significant amount of chicken wings at once. It also features advanced heating technology, precise temperature control, and a user-friendly interface.
However, there are also some other models that are really good, so let’s take a look at what those models are:
• Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven, 6 Quart
• Cuisinart TOA-60 Air Fryer Toaster Oven
How To Properly Air Fry Chicken Wings?
Fortunately, air frying chicken wings really isn’t that complicated, as there are just a few simple steps you need to follow:
STEP 1: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for a few minutes (ideally 2-3 minutes).
STEP 2: Removing excess moisture with the paper towel is your second step.
STEP 3: Now, you can season your chicken wings with the desired seasonings.
STEP 4: Carefully place the chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, and make sure that there is enough space between them so that the air can circulate properly. It is essential to ensure that the wings are not overcrowded.
STEP 5: 10 minutes of air frying at 400°F will be enough.
STEP 6: After that time frame, flip the wings over and fry them for about 8-12 minutes until they are golden brown.
STEP 7: When that time is up, pull out those wings from the air fryer, serve with your favorite sauces, and enjoy.
Some Additional Tips
These were the most basic pieces of information. However, there are always some additional tips and tricks worth knowing, so let’s take a look.
• Melted butter will do wonders in terms of crunchiness if you brush the wings before air frying.
• Most air fryer baskets are big enough for 1lb of chicken wings, so consider that when preparing them, in order to avoid overcrowding the basket.
• Although a high temperature in the air fryer is good, too much heat is not good because the wings can become burned from the outside and still be raw inside.
• Baking powder is your best bet if you want to achieve a crispy coating.
• Use tongs to flip your chicken wings.
• If you have only a small amount of chicken wings, you can wrap chicken wings in aluminum foil before putting them in the basket.
• If you want extra crispiness, let them rest for 5 minutes after air frying, and then give them another 5 minutes to air fry at 400°F.
• If you are not sure that your chicken wings are properly air fried, check their internal temperature by using a meat thermometer. If the temperature is 165°F, they are done. If it is lower, you need to air fry them for a few additional minutes.
What About Frozen Chicken Wings?
Many people tend to defrost chicken in the microwave before doing anything with it in terms of cooking.
So, for example, if you are planning to bake frozen wings or air fry them, you have to let them stay in the fridge overnight in order for them to thaw properly.
However, that is not the case with air frying, as you can actually insert those frozen wings directly into the air fryer.
It will take a little longer and may require one additional step, but that is truly nothing when compared with defrosting them the whole night.
The process is quite similar to that of fresh chicken wings, but anyway, I will show you the steps in order to avoid some unwanted mistakes.
STEP 1: Transfer the frozen chicken wings directly from the freezer to the air fryer basket, and air fry them at 400°F for about 10 minutes until they are defrosted.
STEP 2: After that time frame, remove them from the air fryer and place them in a bowl. Drain any excess liquid from the bottom of the basket.
STEP 3: Add all your preferred seasonings and spices and coat the wings with them.
STEP 4: Return them to the basket and air fry them at 400°F for 11-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
STEP 5: Check if they are golden brown or, if you have a meat thermometer, if the internal temperature is 165°F, as suggested by the USDA. If it is, they are done, and you can serve and enjoy them.
How To Enjoy Those Delicious Wings?
Here are a few of my flavorful recommendations to serve chicken wings:
• Dips and Sauces: When you dont know how to excite your taste buds, there is always a good old dipping sauce.
My personal favorite is BBQ sauce, but you can also enjoy them with buffalo sauce, honey mustard, ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or a spicy aioli.
• French Fries or Sweet Potato Fries: Create a classic combination by serving your wings with a side of crispy fries. You can use an air fryer to prepare homemade French fries or sweet potato fries if you want a healthier option.
• Corn on the Cob: Grilled or roasted corn on the cob is a tasty and summery side dish that goes well with chicken wings. Brush the corn with some butter or seasoning before cooking for added flavor.
• Vegetable Skewers: Grill or roast some vegetable skewers with an assortment of colorful veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, onions, and cherry tomatoes. The charred flavors and vibrant colors make them an appealing side dish.
• Coleslaw: A creamy and tangy coleslaw makes a fantastic side dish for chicken wings. The refreshing flavors of the coleslaw complement the richness of the wings and add a nice textural contrast.
See also: How Long To Boil Chicken Tenders? + How To Boil Properly
Delicious Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe
As one of the most eaten foods in the world, you can do wonders with chicken, but I assure you that this recipe will delight your taste buds.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds (about 1 kg) chicken wings
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for a few minutes.
2. In a bowl, combine baking powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create a dry rub.
3. With the help of paper towels, dry the chicken wings. Place them in a separate bowl.
4. Sprinkle the dry rub over the chicken wings and toss until they are evenly coated. Ensure that all the wings are coated with the mixture, including both sides.
5. Place them in a single layer, so that there is enough space between them.
6. Air fry the wings at 400°F for about 25 to 30 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time.
7. Check the internal temperature of the wings using a meat thermometer. They should be at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are done.
8. Once the wings are done and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
When it comes to additional ingredients, you can use paprika, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, cajun seasoning, five-spice powder, lemon pepper, old bay seasonings, and Garam masala.
My recommendation is to use garam masala, as it is already a mix of spices like coriander, cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves, and it is able to add a sense of warmth and complexity to your chicken wings.
You can also check out this video to see how this guy deals with his air fryer chicken wings.
