These Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings require absolutely no thawing or breading and come out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. These are perfect for the Super Bowl or any party as an appetizer. Great for when you forget to pull a protein out of the freezer ahead of time too!
These air fryer frozen chicken wings are the perfect blank canvas, like my Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast. Just add your favorite sauce!
Store-bought buffalo sauce is a super easy way to flavor the frozen wings, but if you want a homemade garlic parmesan sauce, try my Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings.
Looking for more air fryer appetizers? Try my cheesy Air Fryer Spinach Dip. You will also love these Crispy Buffalo Chicken Tacos in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Frozen French Fries or Seasoned Tater Tots are the perfect simple side to go with crispy skin air fryer wings.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Frozen wings are typically purchased in bulk and are cheaper than fresh wings.
- There is no thawing required. These chicken wings are cooked directly from frozen.
- Cooking the wings in the air fryer gets the skin super crispy. You don't even need any breading or oil.
- These air fryer wings are healthier than deep fried chicken wings.
- This frozen chicken wings (in air fryer) recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, and low carb.
- This appetizer is perfect to make for Super Bowl Sunday.
- Learn how long to cook frozen wings in air fryer at 400 degrees. There is no need to preheat the
- Since these wings are seasoned with only salt and pepper, you can customize them with whatever sauce you prefer.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Sauce: You can use whatever wing sauce you prefer. I like to toss mine with store-bought buffalo wing sauce, homemade garlic parmesan butter, or homemade teriyaki sauce.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.
Helpful Equipment & Tools
- COSORI Air Fryer: This air fryer is my tried and true. It by far browns and crisps food better than any other I have tried. It also has a larger basket compared to most. I can fit about 1.5 pounds of wings in the basket at once.
- 2 Pack Black Kitchen Tongs: This inexpensive set of tongs is perfect for using in the air fryer or with any nonstick cookware. The silicone tips will not damage the nonstick coating.
How to Make Frozen Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer
Overview
- Season the frozen wings (in air fryer).
- Air fry.
- Toss with sauce and serve!
Step by Step
Step 1: (Note: If your wings are frozen together, air fry for 5-6 minutes first. Break them apart.) Place the wings skin side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not stack.
Step 2: Sprinkle the wings with salt and pepper.
TIP - Do not stack the wings so that they cook more evenly and get crispier.
Step 3: Air fry for 10 minutes at 400 degrees. If you notice water in the base of the air fryer, drain it.
Step 4: Flip the wings and air fry for another 15-20 minutes or until the wings are golden brown.
TIP - Cook the wings skin side up for longer so the skin has more time to crisp.
Expert Tips
- Do not stack the wings. This will prevent the wings from becoming crispy and cooking evenly. Cook in batches if needed.
- Season the wings. Even if the wings are being tossed in sauce, it is best to lightly season them with salt and pepper before cooking to impart even more flavor.
- Drain water. If water pools in the bottom of the air fryer, drain it so the wings do not steam.
- Air fry until golden brown and crispy. The wings will likely reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees (the safe internal temperature for chicken) before they have developed much color. I recommend cooking them until browned. This allows the skin to get crispier and I find the wings are still juicy.
- Toss in sauce. Do not forget the sauce. These wings are not flavorful enough to be eaten on their own. Instead, they are meant to be a blank canvas for any sauce or dry rub.
- Do not reheat leftovers in the microwave. Reheat leftover wings in the air fryer at 360 degrees for 5-6 minutes or until heating through.
- This recipe can be doubled, but you will likely have to cook the wings in batches. My air fryer can fit about 1.5 pounds of wings at once. You can serve the wings as they are ready or keep them warm in the oven on low. Note: Holding the wings for more than 30-45 minutes will dry them out. Food should always be held at 140 degrees.
Variations
- Fully cooked (pre-cooked) frozen wings with/without breading: Reduce cooking time to 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Internal temperature should be 165 degrees.
- Dry Rub: Restaurants like Buffalo Wild Wings offer some of their wings tossed in a dry spice mixture instead of sauce. These are commercially sold. You can use a dry rub instead of a sauce, but do not toss the air fryer chicken wings in it until after they are cooked. The seasoning, like garlic powder, might burn in the air fryer.
- Extra Spicy: If you are a hot hot hot wing lover, sprinkle about ¼ - ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper on the air fryer chicken wings when you season them with salt and pepper. This will add even more spice (aside from extra buffalo or hot sauce).
FAQs
- Honey barbecue
- Buffalo
- Homemade garlic parmesan butter
- Homemade teriyaki sauce
- Lemon pepper
Place frozen wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer skin side down. Air fry for 25-30 minutes at 400 degrees, flipping after 10 minutes.
Raw frozen chicken wings do not need to be thawed before air frying.
Air fry Tyson chicken wings for 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees, shaking a few times throughout.
Yes, definitely. See recipe card below for detailed instructions.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Watch the How to Video
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings
Equipment:
Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds frozen raw party chicken wings, drums & flats
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- sauce of choice, for serving*
Instructions:
- Review all recipe notes and instructions before beginning.
- (Note: If your wings are frozen together, air fry for 5-6 minutes first. Break them apart.) Place the wings skin side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not stack.
- Sprinkle the wings with salt and pepper.
- Air fry for 10 minutes at 400 degrees. If you notice water in the base of the air fryer, drain it.
- Flip the wings and air fry for another 15-20 minutes or until the wings are golden brown.
- Toss with your favorite wing sauce before serving.
What is cooking time if my wings are already thawed?
I agree that frozen are less expensive than fresh.
I have always thawed first but, next batch will be from frozen.
I have come to like the wings in the A/F so much that I don't serve with a sauce anymore. We just gobble them like pan fried chicken.
Thank you. :O)
Thank you! So good.