Chicken Wings Not Crispy in the Air Fryer (Here’s What You’re Doing Wrong!)
Do you know what’s great about wings? They’re delicious. Do you know what’s also great about them? They’re easy to make in an air fryer.
But what if your wings come out soggy instead of crispy? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered!
In this article, we’ll explain why your wing skin isn’t crispy and how to fix it.
Key takeaways
- To make chicken wings crispy in the air fryer, use a small amount of baking powder (about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per cup of flour) in the breading or coating mixture.
- Cook chicken wings at 400°F for approximately 20-25 minutes in the air fryer to achieve a crispy exterior.
- It is safe to put raw chicken wings in an air fryer, but ensure they reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F using a meat thermometer to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Achieve crispy chicken wings in the air fryer by using a small amount of oil or cooking spray to coat the wings before cooking, reducing the need for excessive oil.
- Monitor the cooking process to prevent burning or overcooking the wings and follow food safety practices to handle raw chicken properly and avoid foodborne illnesses.
Why are chicken wings not crispy in the air fryer?
Chicken wings can be a delicious treat, but they can also be a pain to cook. If you’re not getting the results you want, it’s probably because you’re doing one of these things wrong:
1. You’re not using enough oil
The number one reason chicken wings don’t get crispy in an air fryer is that they don’t have enough oil.
Make sure that you’ve at least coated your wings with a thin layer of oil in your air fryer before you start cooking, or the meat will burn before it has time to cook through properly.
You can even include that oil right into your marinate and let that cook.
2. You’re not cooking them long enough
Chicken wings take time—they need to be cooked for 25 minutes at 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit (and flipped halfway) before they’ll get crispy!
If you try cooking them for less than 20 minutes, even though they may look done on the outside, they’ll still be undercooked inside and will never become as crispy as you would like.
3. Your air fryer isn’t hot enough
If your air fryer isn’t hot enough when you start cooking, then it won’t be able to reach the temperature needed to make chicken wings crispy in the first place!
Make sure that when you turn on your air fryer (and before adding any food), it reaches at least 400 degrees Fahrenheit within five minutes
How to make extra crispy chicken wings in the air fryer
To make extra crispy chicken wings in the air fryer, follow these steps:
- Preheat the air fryer to 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Toss the wings in a small amount of oil or cooking spray to coat them evenly.
- If you’re using a breading or coating, mix the dry ingredients (such as flour, breadcrumbs, and any desired seasonings) in a shallow dish. Dip each wing into the mixture, making sure to coat it evenly.
- Place the wings in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd the basket.
- Cook the wings for 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking if necessary.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The wings should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If you want to crisp up the wings further, increase the cooking temperature to 400°F and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the wings are crispy to your liking.
- Serve the wings immediately.
How can I make sure my air fryer wings are extra crispy?
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating the air fryer helps to ensure that the wings will cook evenly and get nice and crispy.
Pre-heating your air fryer will give your wings a head start in making the outer skin as crispy as it can be without overcooking the meat inside.
Use oil or cooking spray
A little bit of oil or cooking spray can help the wings crisp up nicely in the air fryer. The properties of oil help to extract the water content on the surface of the wing skin.
When the water leaves, the heat will create a Maillard effect that will make the skin hard, slightly burnt, and crispy.
Don’t overcrowd the basket
If you try to cook too many wings at once, they won’t have enough space to crisp up properly. Cook them in batches if necessary.
Air fryers use air circulation to evenly cook and make the surface of your wings crispy. If you’re putting too many wings in at once, it will block a lot of the air from reaching the places of contact between wings.
I suggest avoiding allowing the wings to touch each other so that the air can make its way around the entire body of the wing.
Flip the wings halfway through cooking
This helps to ensure even cooking and can help the wings crisp up on both sides. Most air fryers have a single heat element located on the top of the unit.
Even though air circulation is rather effective, direct heat from above will always cook the top of your wings far beyond the part that is facing down.
You can Rectify this by taking your basket out of the air fryer and flipping the wings over so that it has equal exposure to the direct heating element above.
Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness
Chicken wings should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
The FDA has done an extensive study on what temperature is will kill bacteria. They have concluded that the minimum safe internal temperature of poultry should be around 165 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 3 minutes.
Experiment with different coatings and seasonings
You can try different breading or seasoning blends to add flavor and help the wings crisp up.
Serve the wings immediately
Air fryer wings are best served hot and crispy, so try to serve them as soon as they come out of the air fryer.
Wings are best when cooked in a fryer, not the air fryer
I’ll be the first to say it if you want your looks to be as crispy as they possibly can be. The only real solution would be to cook it with a deep fryer.
The properties of how submerging your wings into oil create a crispy outer surface that using an air fryer simply can’t match.
Chicken wings need to be cooked at high temperatures to achieve a crispy exterior
Remember, you’re trying to eat up the outer surface of the wings. You want to get it hot to the point where it almost burns but not completely.
However, a word of caution. Always make sure the internal temperature of your wings is at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit for safety reasons.
What temperature should I set my air fryer to for wings?
The ideal temperature for cooking chicken wings in the air fryer will depend on the size of the wings and the power of your air fryer. In general, you can expect to cook wings at a temperature of 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit for the allotted time needed.
It’s always a good idea to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness, as chicken wings should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165°F. This will help ensure that they are safe to eat and fully cooked.
If your wings aren’t turning out as crispy as you’d like, you may want to try increasing the cooking temperature slightly to see if that helps. Just be sure to keep an eye on the wings to make sure they don’t burn or overcook.
How long does it take to cook chicken wings in an air fryer?
To cook chicken wings in an air fryer, you can expect to cook them for about 20-25 minutes.
If you’re using a breading or coating on the wings, you may need to increase the cooking time slightly to ensure that the breading is cooked through.
How do I reheat wings in an air fryer?
To reheat chicken wings in an air fryer, follow these steps:
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
- Place the wings in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. You may need to work in batches if you have a lot of wings.
- Cook the wings for 5-8 minutes, or until they are heated through to an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
- If you want to crisp up the wings again, you can increase the cooking temperature to 400°F and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the wings are crispy to your liking.
- Serve the wings immediately.
It’s important to note that reheated wings may not be as crispy as they were when they were first cooked. However, using the air fryer can help to restore some of the crispiness and make the wings more enjoyable to eat.
How many wings can I cook in an air fryer?
The number of chicken wings that you can cook in an air fryer at one time will depend on the size of your air fryer and the size of the wings. In general, you should aim to leave enough space in the air fryer basket so that the wings are not crowded, touch each other, and have plenty of room to circulate and crisp up.
If you have a small air fryer, you may be able to cook 6-8 wings at a time, depending on their size. For a larger air fryer, you may be able to cook up to 12-16 wings at a time. It’s always a good idea to work in batches if necessary to ensure that the wings have enough space to cook evenly and get crispy.
It’s also important to note that the cooking time may need to be adjusted depending on the number of wings you are cooking.
If you are cooking a larger batch, you may need to increase the cooking time slightly to ensure that the wings are cooked through to a safe internal temperature.
Do you need to use baking powder when cooking chicken wings in an air fryer?
Baking powder can be used as an ingredient in a breading or coating for chicken wings to help create a crispy exterior when cooking in an air fryer.
Baking powder is a leavening agent that helps to create a light and airy texture, which can contribute to the crispiness of the breading.
To use baking powder in a breading for air fryer chicken wings, you can combine it with flour and any desired seasonings and coat the wings in the mixture before cooking.
The baking powder will help to create a crispy and crunchy texture on the outside of the wings.
However, it’s important to note that baking powder is not necessary to achieve crispy wings in the air fryer.
You can also use other ingredients like flour, breadcrumbs, or cornstarch to create a breading or coating for the wings. The key is to use enough of the coating to create a crisp exterior, and to cook the wings at the right temperature and for the appropriate amount of time.
How long to cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer?
The best thing about air fryers is that you don’t need to thaw your wings before you start to cook them.
To cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer, you can expect to cook them at a temperature of 375–400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 25–30 minutes. Preheating your air fryer is still recommended.
It’s important to note that cooking frozen chicken in an air fryer is safe, but it may take longer than cooking fresh chicken.
This should be enough to cook the wings all the way through to an internal temperature of at least 165°F, which is the minimum safe temperature for cooked poultry.
Recommended chicken wing cook time and cooking temperature
| Starting temperature | Cooking time | Cooking temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh (at room temperature) | 15-20 minutes | 375-400 F |
| Refrigerated | 20-25 minutes | 375-400 F |
| Frozen | 25-30 minutes | 375-400 F |
The cooking times and temperatures listed in the table are based on cooking 1 pound of chicken wings in an air fryer.
If you are cooking a larger or smaller amount of wings, you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly.
The exact amount of time you should add to the cooking time for every extra pound of chicken wings in the air fryer will depend on a variety of factors, including the size of the wings and the power of your air fryer.
In general, you can expect to add about 8-12 minutes of cooking time for every additional pound of wings.
How much baking powder should I use to make crispy chicken wings?
The amount of baking powder you should use in a breading or coating for chicken wings will depend on the recipe you are following and your taste preferences.
In general, a small amount of baking powder (about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon) per cup of flour or other dry ingredients is sufficient to create a crispy and crunchy texture on the outside of the wings.
Keep in mind that too much baking powder can lead to an overly airy or bitter taste, so it’s important to use it sparingly. It’s always a good idea to taste the breading mixture before coating the wings to ensure that the flavor is to your liking.
If you are using a pre-made breading mix that includes baking powder, you should follow the instructions on the package for the recommended amount to use.
How long does to air fry chicken wings at 400 degrees Fahrenheit?
The cooking time for chicken wings in an air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit will depend on the size of the wings and the desired level of doneness. In general, you can expect to cook wings at a temperature of 400°F for about 20-25 minutes.
Can you put raw chicken wings in an air fryer?
Yes, you can put raw chicken such as uncooked wings in an air fryer. Air frying is a great way to cook raw chicken wings because it allows you to achieve a crispy exterior without using a lot of oil.
To cook raw chicken wings in an air fryer, just follow the exact steps stated above.
It’s important to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness, as chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165°F to ensure that it is safe to eat. The actual cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces and the power of your air fryer.
Don’t forget to wash your hands well before and after handling raw chicken. Also, make sure to follow food safety rules to avoid getting sick from food.
Crispy chicken wings without tons of oil
Air frying is a great way to cook crispy chicken wings without using a lot of oil. Instead of deep-frying the wings in a large pot of oil, you can use a small amount of oil or cooking spray in the air fryer to achieve a crispy exterior.
When prepping your wings, I recommend tossing them into a bowl with a small amount of oil or you can use cooking spray to coat them evenly.
By using an air fryer, you can achieve crispy chicken wings without the need for a large amount of oil. This can help reduce the fat and calorie content of the dish, making it a healthier option.
Just be sure to use a small amount of oil or cooking spray to help the wings crisp up, and keep an eye on the wings to make sure they don’t burn or overcook.
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