Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings

Name: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds (907g) chicken wings; 1 tablespoon paprika; ½ teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)

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This Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings recipe is quick and easy to make and ready in 30 minutes! We’re talking deliciously crispy wings slathered in your favorite BBQ sauce that are the perfect game-day snack, appetizer, or family meal.

Suitable for gluten free diets. Weight Watchers points included.

a plate filled with air fryer bbq chicken wings.

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Fellow wings fans, with this easy air fryer BBQ chicken wings recipe, you can make restaurant-quality chicken wings at home that are perfectly crispy outside and tender inside. Slathered in your favorite BBQ sauce, these healthier chicken wings are a real crowd-pleaser.

If your family loves chicken wings as much as mine does, you’ve got to check out my air fryer turkey wings and these crispy buffalo air fryer cauliflower wings! And for those who prefer their wings made in the traditional method, I’ve got you covered with these OG deep fried chicken wings.

Table of Contents

Easy Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings

In addition to the fact that they taste amazing, I think what makes these the best air fryer BBQ chicken wings is that they are so versatile.

A true staple at all our game day parties, these wings are a perfect easy weeknight family dinner too. I also love to whip up a batch to serve as an appetizer or snack whenever I’m entertaining.

close up view of two of the cooked bbq chicken wings.

Why Make This Recipe

Nothing says game-day snack like wings!
It’s quick and easy to make these with minimal prep and less than 30 minutes of cooking time.
Air fryer chicken wings are a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried method.

Ingredients Notes

Chicken Wings: This recipe calls for 2 pounds of wings split into flats and drummettes.
Seasonings: The wings are seasoned with a flavorful combination of paprika, smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite store-bought brand or whip up some homemade BBQ sauce.

Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!

For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Air Fryer Tools on Amazon.

How To Make BBQ Chicken Wings in Air Fryer

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

the prepared chicken wings inside a large bowl.

Step 1. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C. Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel.

The chicken wings coated in the seasoning mixture.

Step 2. Combine all the ingredients for the homemade dry rub, then generously sprinkle on all sides of the chicken wings, making sure they are evenly coated.

the cooked chicken wings inside the air fryer basket.

Step 3. Place the seasoned chicken wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Working in batches if needed. Air fry for 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time.

the finished chicken wings covered in bbq sauce inside the air fryer basket.

Step 4. Remove and brush BBQ sauce onto both sides of the wings using a pastry brush or spoon. Return to the air fryer and air fry for an additional 5 minutes or until cooked through and BBQ sauce has caramelized.

Bintu’s Tips For Success

Love your wings extra crispy? Add a bit of baking powder to the seasoning mixture.
Preheat the air fryer before adding the wings.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket! Make sure the wings are placed in a single layer and leave space around them so the air can circulate. Cook wings in batches if needed.
Air fryer temperatures may vary depending on the make and model, so check your food and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C.
Hot wings your jam? Add some cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or a dash (or two) of hot sauce to kick things up a bit.
Prefer the flavor of honey bbq chicken wings? Just mix honey into your BBQ sauce before coating the wings.

tongs holding one of the air fryer chicken wings coated in bbq sauce.

Prep and Storage

Prep Ahead – you can combine the seasonings a day in advance and keep it in an airtight container until needed.
Storage – leftover chicken wings can be wrapped tightly in foil or stored in an airtight container inside the fridge for 4 days.
Reheat – check out this guide for how to reheat chicken wings in air fryer.

FAQs

Can barbecue sauce be used in an air fryer?

Yes, you can use your favorite barbecue sauce in an air fryer, or any other sauce for that matter! Some people like to line the bottom of the air fryer with foil to catch any drips and make cleaning up easier.

Why are my wings not crispy in air fryer?

There are a couple of possible reasons your air fryer wings are not crispy. Patting chicken wings dry with a paper towel before seasoning and cooking will help ensure the skin will crisp up when cooking.

It’s also important to make sure to allow space between the chicken wings for the hot air to circulate between the wings so they get nice and crispy when air frying.

How long to cook frozen bbq wings in air fryer?

In general, it will take 18-25 minutes to cook frozen chicken wings in air fryer. For complete instructions and helpful tips, head on over to my easy air fryer frozen chicken wings post.

a hand dipping one of the chicken wings into sauce.

Serve With

Air Fryer French Fries are my family’s favorite dish to pair with wings.
This 5 Minute Yogurt Ranch Dip is perfect for dunking.
Be sure to check out my list of what to serve with chicken wings, which includes over 30 awesome sides!

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Weight Watchers Points

There are 8 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving.

Recommended Tools

This awesome air fryer is a must!
A good set of mixing bowls for combining ingredients.
This instant-read digital thermometer helps you check food for doneness.
For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Air Fryer Tools on Amazon.

side view of the finished air fryer chicken wings served on a black plate.

Thank you for reading my air fryer bbq chicken wings recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable air fryer recipes, Instant Pot recipes, Southern recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

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