Extra Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Baking Powder

These easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Baking Powder are the crispiest chicken wings you will ever make. They are super crispy, super juicy, and ready in just 30 minutes. Serve as is or with your favorite wing sauce.

Extra crispy air fryer chicken wings on a serving tray with ranch dipping sauce.

These wings taste like traditional fried chicken wings. They are the perfect appetizer for parties, game days, or anytime.

Why You’ll Love Extra Crispy Wings In Air Fryer

These baking powder air fryer wings are so easy to make.

They are crispy, juicy, and tender without deep frying.
These restaurant-quality chicken wings are super crispy and taste like they were deep-fried.
They are ready in about 30 minutes.
They make a great appetizer or main dish.

Recipe Ingredients

These air-fried chicken wings with baking powder are made with simple ingredients you can find at your local grocery store.

See the printable recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.

Fresh chicken wings. I used drums and flats. Frozen wings will work too.
Olive oil. This is so the dry rub has something to stick to. You can also use avocado oil. I do not recommend using cooking spray as it can ruin the finish on your air fryer basket.
Baking powder. This is the secret ingredient in getting extra crispy chicken skin. You can also use flour, cornstarch, or baking soda.

Dry rub seasoning made with lemon pepper, seasoning salt, onion powder, and garlic powder. Feel free to use your favorite spice rub for chicken or my homemade chicken rub. Experiment with spices such as smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, and Cajun seasoning.

The ingredients for crispy air fryer chicken wings with baking powder measured out and placed on a white table.

How to Make Air Fryer Baking Powder Chicken Wings

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Dry the chicken wings with paper towels to absorb excess moisture.

Step 2: Combine the lemon-pepper seasoning, seasoning salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and baking powder in a small bowl.

A hand drying chicken wings with a paper towel.

Seasoning and baking powder added to a small bowl for the dry rub, with chicken wings on a plate beside it.

Step 3: Toss chicken wings in a large bowl with olive oil.

Step 4: Add the dry rub seasoning and toss to coat evenly.

A hand drizzling olive oil over the chicken wings in a large bowl.

The chicken wings in a large bowl tossed with the dry rub seasoning.

Step 5: Place seasoned chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Leave space between the wings so hot air can circulate freely. Air fry at 380°F for 25 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time.

Seasoned chicken wings placed in single layer in air fryer basket.

A hand using tongs to flip the chicken wings over halfway through the cooking time.

Step 6: When the timer is up, shake the basket again, turn the temperature to 400°F, and cook for another 5 minutes. This will crisp up the skin on these lemon pepper wings. You can use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature is 165 degrees F.

The air fryer wings after 25 minutes in the air fryer basket.

The crispy lemon pepper wings on a serving platter with buffalo dipping sauce and ranch dip.

Favorite Wing Sauces

Some of my favorite sauces or dips are:

Buffalo sauce, sweet chili sauce, or jalapeño hot sauce.
Honey garlic sauce or teriyaki sauce.
BBQ sauce or creamy ranch dip.
Garlic parmesan sauce.
Blue cheese dressing

Variations

Buffalo chicken wings. To make Buffalo wings, coat the wings in a mixture of hot sauce and butter.
BBQ chicken wings. Toss the wings with your favorite barbecue sauce after they come out of the air fryer.

Salt and pepper wings. Use a simple coating of salt and pepper on the wings instead of the dry rub.
Honey garlic chicken wings: Toss the wings in a mixture of honey, garlic, and soy sauce after air frying.
Asian-style chicken wings: Toss the cooked wings in Peanut Hoisin Sauce. Serve with diced green onions for garnish.

Spicy: Add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the spice rub. You can also add black pepper, cayenne pepper, or chili powder.

Storage Instructions

Fridge: Store leftover chicken wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Freezer: To freeze leftover wings, let them cool to room temperature, then place them in a Ziploc bag. They will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Reheat: When reheating chicken wings, use a lower temperature than when cooking. This will prevent the skin from becoming tough and dry. Start by preheating your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, place the chicken wings in the basket in a single layer and cook for about 3 minutes a side until heated through.

Jeri’s Top Tips

For best results, do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the wings in batches if needed.
Toss each batch of wings in a different wing sauce.

For extra crispy skin, spray the chicken with a light spray of olive oil spray or avocado spray directly on the wings when shaking the basket.
All air fryers are not the same, and cook times may vary; always keep an eye on the air fryer while cooking so they don’t burn.

Crispy chicken wings on a serving platter with ranch dip in a small white bowl beside them for dipping.

Recipe FAQs

What temperature do you air fry chicken wings?

Air fry chicken wings at 380°F for 25 minutes, then 400°F for five more minutes to make the wings extra crispy. If you cook them at 400°F the entire time, the wings may be drier and chewier.

Can you air fry frozen chicken wings?

Yes, you can air-fry frozen chicken wings. However, you will need to add an extra 5 minutes to the cooking time.

Are air-fried wings healthy?

Air frying is healthier than deep-frying in oil. It cuts calories by 70% to 80% and has much less fat.

Can you stack chicken wings in an air fryer?

You can, but they will not be as crispy. I suggest cooking the wings in 2 batches; that way, every wing will be nice and crisp.

How long to cook chicken wings in the air fryer?

It takes about 30 minutes to cook chicken wings in the air fryer.

Printable Recipe