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Ultimate Crispy Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings

A close-up of crispy Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings heavily coated in a dark, glossy sauce, piled on a white plate.
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Make crispy, saucy BBQ chicken wings using only your air fryer. This recipe focuses on achieving crispy skin without flour.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs chicken wings (flats and drumettes)
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder (aluminum-free)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken wings completely dry using paper towels. This step is key for crispiness.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the baking powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
  3. Add the dried wings to the bowl and toss until every piece is evenly coated with the dry rub mixture.
  4. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C) for 5 minutes.
  5. Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is space between them for air circulation. Do not overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if necessary.
  6. Air fry for 18 minutes.
  7. After 18 minutes, open the basket and flip the wings. Increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C).
  8. Continue to cook for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until the skin is deeply golden and very crispy.
  9. Remove the wings from the air fryer.
  10. Place the hot, crispy wings into a clean bowl. Pour the BBQ sauce over the wings and toss gently until they are fully coated.
  11. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Baking powder helps dry out the skin, creating a crispier texture without needing flour.
  • For extra sticky wings, you can return the sauced wings to the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 400°F after saucing. Watch carefully to prevent burning the sauce.
  • If you prefer a dry rub wing, skip the BBQ sauce and use a larger amount of the initial spice mix (double the recipe) and toss the wings in the rub after they finish cooking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonswirl.com/air-fryer-bbq-chicken-wings/