Crispy Marinated Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer

This air fryer marinated chicken wings recipe uses a healthy, homemade marinade and cooks in under 20 minutes. Perfect for game day or a quick weeknight dinner, these wings work any day of the week. Don’t have an air fryer? You can also bake or grill them with similar results.

Wings are one of my favorite cuts of chicken. The air fryer delivers crispy results with far less oil and cleanup than traditional frying, making it an ideal tool for making flavorful wings quickly.

Ingredients For Air Fryer Chicken Wings

The ingredient list is simple and focuses on pantry-friendly items.

• Chicken wings: Up to 2 pounds of whole wings or party wings.
• Oil: 1/2 cup of your preferred oil—olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil all work.
• Red wine vinegar: Adds brightness to the marinade. Balsamic or white vinegar can be used as substitutes.
• Coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce: Coconut aminos is a gluten-free, paleo-friendly alternative to soy sauce. Use low-sodium soy sauce if you prefer.
• Seasonings: Dried oregano (or basil), garlic powder, freshly ground pepper, and a pinch of salt.

How To Make Air Fry Chicken Wings

Air frying wings is fast and easy. Follow these steps for juicy, crispy results.

1. Combine the marinade ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until well blended.
2. Place the wings in a large bowl or resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the wings, toss to coat, then cover or seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours.
3. Preheat the air fryer to 370°F (188°C) when you’re ready to cook.
4. Remove wings from the marinade and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Discard any leftover marinade. You may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
5. Cook for 10 minutes, flip the wings, then cook 6–8 minutes more, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Cooking time can vary based on wing size and air fryer model.

What Is An Air Fryer?

An air fryer cooks food by circulating hot air rapidly around it, creating a crispy exterior similar to frying but with much less oil. Sizes range from compact to family-sized; choose one that fits your typical batch size. A 5.8-quart model comfortably handles up to 2 pounds for a single batch.

A Healthy, Homemade Marinade

The marinade is the highlight of this recipe. It’s low-carb and easily adapted to paleo or Whole30 preferences when using coconut aminos. The components are basic and likely in your pantry. If you don’t have coconut aminos, low-sodium soy sauce can be substituted, though that changes the recipe’s paleo and gluten-free status.

Tips & FAQs

• Can you use frozen wings? Technically yes, but frozen wings don’t absorb marinades well. For best flavor marinate thawed wings. If cooking from frozen, add 5–7 minutes to the cooking time and expect less marinade penetration.
• How long to marinate? Marinate between 30 minutes and 24 hours. Longer than 24 hours can begin to break down the texture of the meat.
• How to store leftovers: Refrigerate cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Extra crispy wings: For crunchier wings, increase the temperature for the final few minutes and monitor closely. Air fryers vary, so check every few minutes the first time you try this method.
• Equipment used: A 5.8-quart air fryer works well for the amounts in this recipe.

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Marinated Chicken

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