Enjoy the juiciest, crispiest air fryer chicken wings in under 20 minutes! These easy air fryer wings with Italian seasoning are a healthier alternative to deep frying.
My photo and video shoot days are usually long and busy, leaving me with little time and energy for lengthy dinner preparations. Just thinking about a complicated recipe with a lot of steps can be exhausting! I would rather just sit on the couch and rest even for a few minutes.
Thankfully, I have this easy, crispy, and fast air fryer chicken wings recipe that has become my go-to for quick and tasty dinners. With simple ingredients like salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and herbs, I can whip up a meal that's both satisfying and delicious!
These chicken wings are perfect for any day or occasion, making it a hit with my family, especially my kids! I kid you not, there are no picky eaters when this one's served. The dominant flavors are a mix of garlic and paprika, making it garlicky and smokey. Each bite of these chicken wings is incredibly tasty, and the best part? It's so crispy!
Plus, you can prepare them in just 10 minutes, and air-fry them for about 15. This way, you can have the best chicken wings for dinner on the table in under 30 minutes—ideal for hectic weeknights or when having unexpected guests over.
I love making these wings not just for a cozy weekend dinner, but also for parties or even just as a quick afternoon snack. They're quick to prepare in the air fryer, which keeps the cooking process simple. I still remember the first time I cooked this for my family—they disappeared in minutes! Now, they request these wings every once in a while or whenever they remember (LOL!). If you're looking for a recipe that is both convenient and flavorful, this one will be a great addition to your bookmarks!
Ingredients
- Chicken wings - I buy frozen chicken wings without any seasonings, so I can better control the flavor. You can use fresh chicken wings.
- Garlic Powder - adds a nice garlic flavor and doesn't burn like regular garlic.
- Smoked Paprika - adds a smoky flavor and a red color.
- Dried Mixed Italian Seasoning - I like to use Italian seasoning or Herbes de Provence, but any dried herbs you like will do.
- Avocado Oil (or any high-smoke-point oil) - you can use a cooking spray.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Step-by-step instructions
If you're looking for a way to make delicious, crispy air-fried chicken wings, you've come to the right place. This easy recipe will guide you through the process of cooking chicken wings that are perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Preheat the Air Fryer
To start, you need to preheat the air fryer. Set it to 400°F (200°C) and let it heat up for about 5 minutes, letting the air circulate properly, allowing the wings to get crispy without the need for frying. This step sets the stage for perfectly crispy chicken wings.
Season the Chicken Wings
While the air fryer is preheating, take your chicken wings and place them into a large bowl. To make the wings flavorful, season them with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and mixed Italian herbs. Toss the wings in the bowl to ensure that all the chicken skin is coated evenly with the seasoning. This seasoning mix will help enhance the flavor and contribute to that nice and crispy texture.
Add Oil and Toss the Wings
Next, drizzle some avocado oil over the seasoned chicken wings. The oil helps to make the chicken skin crispy during cooking. Toss the wings again to make sure they are evenly coated with the oil and seasonings. This step is crucial for achieving that super crispy texture that everyone loves in fried chicken wings.
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Arrange the Wings in the Air Fryer
Once the air fryer is preheated, it’s time to place the wings in the air fryer basket. Arrange the wings in a single layer, ensuring that there is room for air to circulate them. This is important because overcrowding the basket can prevent the wings from cooking evenly and getting that crispy skin. If you have a lot of wings, consider cooking them in batches.
Cook the Wings
Now, it’s time to air fry the wings. Insert the basket into the preheated air fryer and set the timer for 15 to 17 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, flip the wings to ensure they cook evenly on both sides. You want the wings to come out nice and crispy, with a golden brown color that indicates they are fully cooked.
Rest and Serve
Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the air fryer chicken wings. Let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This resting time allows the juices to settle, ensuring that your wings are juicy and flavorful when you take that first bite. You can serve them plain or toss the wings in your favorite buffalo wing sauce for an extra kick.
Enjoy your crispy air fryer wings! They are a healthy alternative to fried chicken wings and are sure to impress your family and friends. Whether you’re making chicken wings for game day or just a casual dinner, these wings will turn out delicious every time.
Storage
To store air fryer chicken wings, allow them to cool to room temperature before placing them in an airtight container. For optimal freshness, refrigerate the wings for up to 3-4 days. You can easily reheat these chicken wings in the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and cook the wings for about 5-7 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Check them halfway through to ensure they are heating evenly, and adjust the time as needed until they are heated through and crispy.
Top Tips
- Adjust cooking time for crispiness – Tailor the cooking time based on the size and thickness of your chicken wings to achieve maximum crispiness.
- Customize your seasonings – Personalize the flavor by experimenting with different seasonings; adding BBQ sauce or Buffalo sauce after cooking can enhance the taste.
- Try a marinade – Marinating the wings for a few hours before cooking can infuse them with extra flavor and tenderness.
- Serve with dipping sauces – Pair your wings with a variety of dipping sauces like ranch, blue cheese, or honey mustard for added flavor and enjoyment.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Chicken is always best paired with any form of potato, and paprika potatoes in particular are my favorite. The smokiness of the wings matches with the smokiness of the potatoes and this one can be prepared with an oven or an air fryer as well.
Recipe
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Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- air fryer inserts
Ingredients
- 2 lb chicken wings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon mixed Italian seasoning Italian mixed herbs or Herbes de Provence are my favorites, but you can also use Cajun seasoning or another spice mix of your choice
- 2 tablespoon high-smoke-point oil
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine wings, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and herbs.
- Add oil to the bowl and toss wings until evenly coated.
- Place wings in air fryer basket in a single layer, not touching. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Cook at 400°F for 15-17 minutes. Flip wings halfway through cooking time.
- Check for doneness. Wings should be golden brown and reach 165°F internally.
- Remove wings from air fryer and let rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.