Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings – how to make perfectly cooked crispy chicken wings in the air fryer without defrosting first!
Juicy, tender meat, crispy skin slathered with your favorite sauce air fried in minutes without defrosting.
Friends these are what are called ‘naked wings’ meaning no breading and they couldn’t be easier to make.
Let’s go.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
- It’s easy to make delicious air fryer chicken wings from frozen without defrosting –– with juicy meat and crispy skin!
- You don’t need a deep fryer to get crispy air fryer chicken wings!
- Plus- air frying is healthier than deep frying and no grease splatters!
- Air frying is faster and more efficient than oven baked wings and won’t heat up the kitchen.
- This is the best way to get juicy, tasty wings with crispy skin without a lot of work or mess.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
How long do I cook frozen wings in the air fryer? Air fry from frozen in 15-18 minutes (cook time will vary with the size of the wings and the air fryer).
Do I need to thaw the wings before air frying? There’s no need to thaw chicken wings before air frying!
Why aren’t my air fryer wings crispy? Be sure to air fry wings in a single layer without overlapping so hot air can circulate around them (cook in batches if necessary).
What kind of air fryer is best? My only experience is with the Ninja Air Fryer but there are several different brands that will also do the job.
Do I have to use a meat thermometer? For best results, use a meat thermometer to be sure you get juicy wings that are cooked through and never dry.
WHAT DO I NEED TO MAKE AIR FRYER FROZEN CHICKEN WINGS?
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (can also use oil cooking spray)
- 2 pounds frozen wings (drumettes and flats)
- 1 1/4 teaspoons sea salt (or more to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Optional: 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
HONEY BUFFALO SAUCE:
- 1/2 cup Frank’s RedHot Wing Sauce
- 3 tablespoons pure honey (or more to taste)
- 2 tablespoons butter
HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER FROZEN CHICKEN WINGS:
Add all Honey Buffalo Sauce ingredients to a small saucepan.
Bring to a light boil then reduce heat to simmer for 2-3 minutes letting the sauce thicken slightly. Set aside.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°.
Add wings to a large bowl then brush with olive oil (or lightly spritz with cooking spray).
The olive oil is another step in crisping the wings and will help the seasoning stick.
Add all spices to a small bowl then whisk to combine well.
Sprinkle seasoning over the wings and toss to coat.
Transfer frozen, seasoned raw wings to the air fryer basket in a single layer (work in batches if necessary).
Angle the wings to avoid overlapping in the air fryer basket and so the hot air can flow freely and crisp the wings.
Air fry 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°, turning the wings halfway through the cook time.
Note: Cooking time will vary with how many wings you’re air frying, their size (how much meat is on them) and the type of air fryer..
Transfer cooked wings to a large bowl.
Drizzle the Honey Buffalo Sauce over the top of the wings and toss to coat them well.
Return the coated wings to the air fryer for another 1-3 minutes at 400°. This caramelizes the sauce for sticky spicy-sweet perfection!
Remove from the air fryer and enjoy right away.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH AIR FRYER CHICKEN WINGS:
Enjoy these delicious wings with your favorite dipping sauce, such as blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing plus some carrot sticks and celery sticks or any of the sides below.
Homemade Coleslaw – 4 ingredients + 5 minutes
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
SUBS AND VARIATIONS:
- Slather the wings with your favorite wing sauce or even bbq sauce instead of buffalo.
- Try different seasonings like lemon pepper or your favorite dry rub.
- Enjoy these naked wings without any sauce on them at all!
LOOKING FOR MORE EASY AIR FRYER RECIPES?
3 Ingredient Air Fryer French Fries
Air Fryer Chick fil-A Chicken Sandwich
HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER WINGS:
The best way to store leftover chicken wings is in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
Reheat in the microwave or air fryer.
Enjoy!
Let’s cook together!
Tried this Air Fryer Chicken Wings recipe? Leave a comment, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and TAG ME on social media! @agoudalife or #agoudalife
Air Fryer Chicken Wings from Frozen (NO defrost!)
Equipment
- Air fryer
- meat thermometer
Ingredients
FOR THE WINGS:
- 2 pounds frozen chicken wings drumettes and flates
- 1 tablespoon olive oil OR olive oil cooking spray
- 1 1/4 teaspoon sea salt or more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- OPTIONAL: 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
FOR THE HONEY BUFFALO SAUCE:
- 1/2 cup Frank's RedHot Wing Sauce
- 3 tablespoon pure honey or more to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Add all sauce ingredients to a small saucepan. Bring to a light boil then reduce heat to simmer for 2-3 minutes letting the sauce thicken slightly. Set aside.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°.
- Add frozen wings to a large bowl then brush with olive oil (or lightly spritz with cooking spray).
- To a small bowl add the salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Whisk to combine well.
- Sprinkle seasoning over the wings and toss to coat.
- Transfer wings to the air fryer basket in a single layer, angling them fo rmore room (work in batches if necessary).
- Air fry 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°, turning the wings halfway through the cook time then transfer cooked wings to a large bowl.Note: Cooking time will vary with how many wings you’re air frying, their size (how much meat is on them) and the type of air fryer.
- Drizzle the Honey Buffalo Sauce over the top of the wings and toss to coat them well.
- Return coated wings to the air fryer. Cook another 1-3 minutes at 400° to caramelize the sauce. Enjoy right away with ranch or blue cheese dressing and fresh cut up vegetables.