Easy Irresistible Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings
Nothing says game days or summer like the smell of BBQ filling the air. These Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings are a cinch to make and packed with that smokey BBQ flavor you crave!
Chicken wings are the ultimate party food and make a great appetizer! Whether you’re hosting a Super Bowl party or a backyard BBQ, chicken wings are always a crowd-pleaser!
We’ve made them on the grill and they always turn out perfect. And the grill is great because you can make a TON at a time.
However, if you just have a few people over or just want to make a small batch for you or your entire family, I highly recommend these delicious Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings!
Air fryers are the perfect kitchen appliance to make juicy, mouthwatering wings with minimal effort. The air fryer will help lock in all the flavors and keep your wings tender on the inside while giving them a nice crispy finish.
These air fryer BBQ chicken wings are incredibly simple to make, require only 4 ingredients, and will make your tastebuds dance!
Want more crowd-pleasing recipes? Check out my Game Day Appetizers!
But if you love air frying as much as I do, try my Air Fryer Zucchini Sticks, Air Fryer Indian Tacos, or Air Fryer Greek Chicken Kabobs.
Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings
Gather these simple ingredients:
- Chicken Wings – fresh or frozen
- BBQ Sauce – your favorite barbecue sauce brand (I usually use Sweet Baby Ray’s) or homemade recipe
- Cooking Spray – I used to use olive oil cooking spray (which is great) and now prefer avocado oil cooking spray because it has a higher smoke point!
- Black Pepper – or dry rub to taste
Note: Please refer to the handy printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for more details.
How To Make Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings
These air fryer barbecue chicken wings are super simple to make! Just follow the step-by-step instructions for this easy recipe below (you hardly need any prep time!).
Step 1 – Preheat Air Fryer
Begin by pre-heating the air fryer to 390 degrees. Remove raw chicken wings from the refrigerator.
Step 2 – Pat Wings Dry
Allow the chicken wings to come to room temperature. Pat dry the wings dry with a paper towel.
Step 3 – Spray Chicken Wings
Lightly spray the chicken wings with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4 – Cook Your Chicken Wings
Place wings on your air fryer tray, spread out in a single layer.
Cook the wings in the air fryer for 15 minutes.
Step 5 – Add BBQ Sauce
Remove the air fryer basket and brush on your favorite BBQ sauce (or put them in a large bowl with sauce and use your hands to coat the wings).
Put the BBQ-covered wings back into the air fryer and cook an additional 5 – 10 minutes (for a total cooking time of 20-25 minutes) until the wings reach your desired level of crispy chicken wings.
SAFETY TIP: Your air fryer honey BBQ chicken wings are done when they turn golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F a meat thermometer.
Your BBQ air fryer wings are ready to enjoy!
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings Recipe Notes And Tips
- I have found that patting the chicken wings dry with a paper towel prior to cooking ensures that the wings will be crispy and delicious. You may also want to add a couple of extra minutes of air frying time!
- Don’t want crispy wings? For saucy wings, don’t cook quite as long and load them up with sauce!
- It is best that you do not overcrowd the air fryer when cooking the wings. I’ve tried it in an effort to feed my family of five in fewer “batches.” It doesn’t work. Leave a little bit of space in between each of the wings so the air can circulate properly creating yummy, crispiness.
- Place parchment paper in your air fryer for an easier clean-up. Aluminum foil will work too. Both can be used safely in air fryers.
- Helpful Tip: All ovens or air fryers will vary in size and cooking temperature, therefore when making this recipe for the first time start with cooking for less than the recommended time. Check for doneness and add a minute or two if necessary.
Air Fryer BBQ Wings Recipe Variations To Try
There are SO many different options and ways to make this recipe into the perfect food for the whole family!
- Adjust for dietary needs – This recipe is naturally gluten-free and can be keto-friendly if you use low sugar BBQ sauce. If you are not trying to cut down on sugar you can mix 1 Tablespoon of honey with a quarter cup of original BBQ sauce to make your own homemade honey BBQ sauce.
- I don’t add dry rub to the wings before cooking them (I find the sauce is enough), but you could for extra depth of flavor (or crispy wings instead of saucy wings)!
- Give your wings a little extra zip by adding a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the BBQ sauce before coating the wings.
- Add a dash of garlic powder or onion powder to honey BBQ sauce.
- Experiment with different flavors! Use a different favorite sauce other than BBQ sauce such as Sriracha, Teriyaki, or Honey Garlic.
- Try lemon pepper seasoning or parmesan garlic seasoning for dry, crispy wings. Wouldn’t lemon pepper wings taste amazing?!
What To Serve With Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Although almost anything pairs well with this air fryer chicken wings recipe, we have a few favorites that we make for our family dinners! Enjoy these best air fryer chicken wings with:
- Dipping sauce: Blue cheese dressing and ranch dressing are staples.
- Fries: French fries and sweet potato fries are both delicious!
- Potatoes: Or serve them with Crispy Garlic Parm Accordion Potatoes or Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes!
- Salad: This Easy Layered Brunch Salad is delicious and perfect for a crowd if you’re hosting an event!
- Pasta Salad: Like this Loaded Cowboy Pasta Salad (Cowboy Caviar Recipe).
Crispy Air Fryer Wings FAQs
Yes, you can but they are most certainly the best when served fresh and immediately after cooking.
Keep any leftover wings in an airtight container or storage bag in the fridge for up to 3 – 4 days.
You can also put any leftovers in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container and freeze them for up to 2 – 3 months.
Definitely!!! 🙂 Don’t worry if you forgot to set them out the thaw. You can put them in the air fryer frozen, just keep in mind that it may take a bit longer to cook.
It is not necessary, but if you want to flip or turn them halfway through cooking that will help them cook evenly. You will find your own personal ‘sweet’ spot on how you like them cooked after making these wings a couple of times.
If you’re using frozen raw chicken wings in the air fryer, cook them for 22-25 minutes at 400°F. If you’re using precooked wings (frozen or not), cook them in the air fryer for 12-16 minutes at 400°F.
More Fantastic Air Fryer Recipes To Try
If you love these Air Fryer Honey BBQ Wings, check out these other delicious recipes too!
- Air Fryer Carrot Fries
- Ham and Cheese Sliders with Aioli
- Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes
- Valentine’s Day Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts
- Air Fryer Pumpkin Hand Pies
Pin For Later:
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings
Nothing says game days or summer like the smell of BBQ wafting through the air. Our Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings are super easy and packed with flavor!
Ingredients
- 1 dozen chicken wings
- BBQ sauce
- cooking spray
- pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees.
- Remove chicken wings from refrigerator and let them reach room temperature.
- Pat dry with a towel. The less moisture, the crisper the wing.
- Lightly spray the wings with cooking spray.
- Sprinkle with salt & pepper.
- Air fry for 15 minutes.
- Remove and shake in bbq sauce.
- Place back in the air fryer for 5-10 minutes depending on your desired crispiness.
- Serve & enjoy.
