I’ve been making chicken wings in my air fryer for about three years now, and I’m still amazed at how much better they turn out compared to the oven. The circulating hot air creates this perfect crispy skin that rivals any deep-fried wing, but without all the oil splatter and mess. Plus, you can have them ready in under 30 minutes.
The key to getting that restaurant-quality crispiness is all about the prep work. I always pat the wings completely dry with paper towels and then let them sit uncovered in the fridge for at least an hour. This extra step draws out moisture from the skin, which is what gives you that golden, crackling exterior. The seasoning blend I use is pretty simple but effective – kosher salt, garlic powder, paprika, and a touch of onion powder. Nothing fancy, but it works.
Getting Perfect Air Fryer Crispy Skin
Temperature control is crucial here. I start the wings at 380°F for the first 12 minutes, then flip them and bump it up to 400°F for the final 8-10 minutes. This two-stage approach ensures the meat cooks through evenly while the skin gets properly crispy. Don’t overcrowd your air fryer basket either – the wings need space for the air to circulate properly.
Temperature Tips for Even Cooking
These wings are perfect for Shabbat appetizers or any time you want something that feels indulgent but doesn’t require much active cooking time. I like to serve them with some roasted vegetables or a simple green salad. They’re also great for game day or casual dinners when you want something everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients
Method
- Pat chicken wings completely dry with paper towels. Place on a plate and refrigerate uncovered for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours to dry out the skin.
- In a small bowl, combine kosher salt, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Remove wings from refrigerator and pat dry again. Toss wings with vegetable oil if using, then sprinkle seasoning mixture evenly over all sides of the wings, rubbing it in well.
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F for 3 minutes.
- Place wings in air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. You may need to cook in batches depending on your air fryer size.
- Cook at 380°F for 12 minutes.
- Flip wings over and increase temperature to 400°F. Cook for another 8-10 minutes until skin is golden brown and crispy.
- Check internal temperature reaches 165°F with an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove from air fryer and let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
