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    Home » Recipes » Course » Entrees

    Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings

    Jan 10, 2022 · Modified: Apr 3, 2022 by Caitey Jay

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    Forget to defrost your chicken wings? No problem. You can pull them out of the freezer now and use this air fryer frozen chicken wings recipe to cook them in just 25 minutes. Get ready for delicious, crispy wings.

    A bowl of chicken wings on a cooling rack with celery and ranch dip nearby.
    Jump to:
    • Why should you try this recipe?
    • Ingredients
    • Recipe Variations
    • Instructions
    • Equipment
    • FAQs
    • How To Serve
    • Similar Recipes
    • Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings

    Why should you try this recipe?

    Here's why you'll love air frying frozen chicken wings.

    • You don’t have to remember to thaw your chicken. Life gets busy. Many of us are deciding what to make for dinner at dinner time. Thankfully, with this recipe, you can make chicken wings without planning ahead.
    • They're quick and easy. You only need an air fryer, chicken wings, and a few spices to throw together a chicken wing rub. In addition to making the skin crispy, the air fryer cooks the chicken wings in less time than the oven since this method requires time for a bake and a broil.
    • They're a healthier alternative to deep-fried restaurant wings. This homemade chicken wing recipe is made with significantly less oil. And, almost more importantly, the oil that is used in the recipe is a healthier variety. Most restaurants use highly refined varieties because they're cheaper. These oils have been linked to inflammation in the body which leads to chronic health problems.  
    • They taste as good as pub wings too. The air fryer circulates hot air and churns out perfectly crispy, insanely delicious chicken wings. My husband is a regular at wing nights, and he's given this recipe the stamp of approval. So, that's saying something.

    Scroll down to see the printable recipe with nutritional information.

    Ingredients

    A pack of frozen chicken wings and a mason jar with a homemade spice rub. Both are on a white countertop.

    Here's what you'll need for air fryer frozen chicken wings.

    • Frozen chicken wings: There are many variations of frozen chicken wings. For this recipe, I use raw, frozen chicken wings. But, you can also use pre-breaded and sauced wings. Tyson frozen chicken wings are a popular choice. If you do go with Tyson or another brand, check out the FAQs for direction on how to cook these in the air fryer.
    • Avocado oil spray: You don’t need to use oil in this recipe, but a light coating of olive oil spray or avocado oil spray will result in crispier chicken wings.
    • A spice rub: To make my best chicken wing spice rub, you'll need smoked paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, thyme leaves, kosher salt, coriander and cayenne pepper: This spice rub is my favourite and gives the chicken wings all the flavour. That said, if you don't have all of these spices on hand, I've added a simpler spice rub to the recipe card, which you'll only need salt, pepper, smoked paprika and garlic powder for.

    Scroll down to find the printable recipe with ingredient measurements.

    Recipe Variations

    • Customize your spice rub: As with all spice rubs, you can customize the blend to your own taste. My favourite is my chicken wing rub recipe. But, I've also added a simple variation to the recipe card. No matter which rub you use, here are some good guidelines you can use to customize the flavour to your liking.
      • Use or remove cayenne to turn the spice up or down.
      • Add herbs likes basil, parsley, marjoram and sage to give the spice rub a herbal note.
      • Include lemon, lime or orange zest to add citrus notes.
    • Use sauce instead of a spice rub: In this case, you'll wait until after the wings are done to apply the flavouring. Remove them from the air fryer and place them in a large bowl. Then add wing sauce and toss to combine. For extra goodness, place them back in the air fryer for 2 minutes and then toss in sauce again. Some sauce suggestions include:
      • Honey Teriyaki Sauce
      • Hot sauce (I like Frank's Buffalo Sauce)

    Instructions

    Let’s break it down step by step to take any guesswork out of how to air fry frozen wings.

    Frozen chicken wings in an air fryer basket on a white countertop with a striped linen towel nearby.
    • Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 3 minutes.
    • Place the frozen mass of chicken wings in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 13 minutes.
    • Use tongs to remove the chicken wings from the air fryer basket and place in a large bowl.
    Frozen chicken wings in a glass bowl coated in a spice rub.
    • Break up the slightly defrosted chicken wing mass. Use a paper towel to pat the wings dry. This is an important step in achieving the crispiest wings possible.
    • Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of my best chicken wing spice rub on the wings and toss to coat. If you don't have the spices on hand to make this mix, an easy alternative is to use garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. I've added both options to the recipe card.
    • Drain any liquid from the bottom of your air fryer. This can sometimes collect when the chicken wings are defrosting.
    Chicken wings coated in a spice rub in the air fryer basket.
    • Add the chicken wings back to the air fryer basket. For the crispiest wings, it's best to spread them in a single layer with no overlap.
    • Air fry for 13 more minutes at 400 degrees F.
    • When 5 minutes are remaining, open the air fryer basket and spray the wings with avocado oil spray or olive oil spray. Use tongs to flip the wings and lightly coat the other side with oil as well. This will help achieve the crispiest wings.
    • Cook for remaining time. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken wings are cooked to 165 degrees F.
    Chicken wings in a bowl with a bowl of celery beside them.
    • Place in a bowl and serve with your favourite dipping sauce.

    Recipe Notes

    • Do not overfill your air fryer basket. Every air fryer has a different capacity, so I can't tell you how many wings is too many wings. Just ensure they're placed in a single layer after being broken up in step 4. If they are overlapping, the air can’t circulate, and the wings in the middle can't cook evenly or crisp up. If the wings can't fit in a single layer after being broken up, cook for the remaining time in two batches.
    • It’s important to flip the wings. You can toss the basket to flip the wings, or use tongs. This step ensures every wing is evenly cooked and your batch turns out extra crispy. 
    • Not all frozen wings cook the same. Cooking time will change slightly based on your 1) air fryer model; 2) the size of the chicken wings; 3) whether the wings are raw, precooked, breaded or presauced; and 4) how many wings are in the air fryer. Use my recipe as a guide, but keep an eye on the wings the first time you follow it so you know what works best for you.

    How To Store

    • Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
    • Freezer: Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months.
    • Reheat: Set air fryer temperature to 360 degrees F. Place chicken wings in the basket in a single layer and cook for 5 minutes.

    For the full ingredient list and step-by-step directions, scroll down to view the recipe card.

    Equipment

    Here's what you need to make frozen chicken wings in air fryer.

    • Air fryer: If you don’t own an Air Fryer yet, I recommend adding one to your kitchen equipment collection. It's incredibly easy to use and helps you eat your favourite fried foods without guilt. If you’re not so sure yet, I wrote a piece comparing the air fryer and the pressure cooker. Feel free to use it as a resource. I own the Ninja AF161 Max XL. I love that it's large enough to cook for two people, but small enough to fit in my apartment-sized kitchen.

    FAQs

    Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about frozen wings in air fryer.

    What size of chicken wings should I use?


    This depends on how many batches of wings you want to make. If you use larger wings, you'll be able to fit less of them in a single layer in your air fryer basket. So, be prepared to cook in two batches.

    Should I thaw chicken wings before air frying?


    If you have time, sure. But, you don't need to thaw chicken wings before air frying them. You can cook from frozen, it will just take slightly more cooking time.

    How do I air fry pre-cooked wings?


    Some wings are fully cooked and then frozen. For these varieties, you're really using the air fryer to reheat the wings rather than cook them. Simply place the pre-cooked frozen wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at 400°F for roughly 15 minutes.

    Should I use fresh or dried herbs?


    Pantry herbs and spices don’t really expire, but they do lose potency in their flavor over time. If you have them on hand, use fresh herbs and spices for the best flavor. If not, use fresher dried herbs.

    Should I preheat an air fryer?


    Yes, much like an oven, you need to preheat your air fryer. This will only take three minutes.

    Should you use parchment paper in an air fryer?

    You don't need to use parchment paper or silicone mats in the air fryer basket. In fact, they can even block the circulating air. If you decide to use one of these options anyway, be sure it's heat safe up to 425°F (or the maximum temperature of your air fryer).

    How To Serve

    A hand grabbing a chicken wing from a ceramic bowl filled with chicken wings. Dipping sauce is nearby.

    Now that you have extra crispy homemade chicken wings, you'll want to complete the meal. Here are a few suggestions.

    • Serve with a side of fries: Try my air fryer sweet potato fries, curly fries or waffle fries. All pair perfectly with chicken wings.
    • Serve with your favourite dip: Try my lightened up tartar sauce or vegan chipotle ranch. Or, keep it simple and pair with something store bought.
    • Add a side of celery or carrots: It's traditional, and it adds a dose of vitamins and minerals.
    • Creamy Vegan Chipotle Ranch Dressing
    • Frozen Sweet Potato Fries In The Air Fryer
    • Keto Tartar Sauce

    Similar Recipes

    Still hungry? If you enjoyed this recipe for air fryer frozen chicken wings, I invite you to check out my collection of other easy air fryer recipes or check out the ones below that I hand selected for you.

    • Frozen Sweet Potato Fries In The Air Fryer

    If you make these air fryer frozen chicken wings, please consider leaving a star rating and a comment. Don't forget to tag @caiteyjay on Instagram or @caiteyjay on Pinterest so I can see your creations.

    Print
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    Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings

    ★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
    • Author: Caitey Jay
    • Prep Time: 5
    • Cook Time: 25
    • Total Time: 30
    • Yield: 12 wings 1x
    • Category: Appetizer, Main Course
    • Method: Air Fryer
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Forget to defrost your chicken wings? No problem. You can pull them out of the freezer now and use this air fryer frozen chicken wings recipe to cook them in just 25 minutes. Get ready for delicious, crispy wings.


    Ingredients

    Scale

    Chicken Wings

    • 2 lbs frozen chicken wings
    • spritz of avocado oil

    Spice Rub

    I recommend using my best dry rub for chicken wing recipe. But, if you don't have the spices on hand, an easy DIY spice mix can be made using the ingredients below. 

    • 2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions

    1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 3 minutes.
    2. Place the frozen mass of chicken wings in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 13 minutes.
    3. Use tongs to remove the chicken wings from the air fryer basket and place in a large bowl.
    4. Break up the slightly defrosted chicken wing mass. Use a paper towel to pat the wings dry. This is an important step in achieving the crispiest wings possible.
    5. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of my best chicken wing spice rub on the wings and toss to coat. Alternatively use the spice rub mix on this recipe card.
    6. Drain any liquid from the bottom of your air fryer. This can sometimes collect when the chicken wings are defrosting.
    7. Add the chicken wings back to the air fryer basket. For the crispiest wings, it's best to spread them in a single layer with no overlap.
    8. Air fry for 13 more minutes at 400 degrees F.
    9. When 5 minutes are remaining, open the air fryer basket and spray the wings with avocado oil spray or olive oil spray. Use tongs to flip the wings and lightly coat the other side with oil as well. This will help achieve the crispiest wings.
    10. Cook for remaining time. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken wings are cooked to 165 degrees F.
    11. Place in a bowl and serve with your favourite dipping sauce.

    Notes

    • Do not overfill your air fryer basket. Every air fryer has a different capacity, so I can't tell you how many wings is too many wings. Just ensure they're placed in a single layer after being broken up in step 4. If they are overlapping, the air can’t circulate, and the wings in the middle can't cook evenly or crisp up. If the wings can't fit in a single layer after being broken up, cook for the remaining time in two batches.
    • It’s important to flip the wings. You can toss the basket to flip the wings, or use tongs. This step ensures every wing is evenly cooked and your batch turns out extra crispy. 
    • Not all frozen wings cook the same. Cooking time will change slightly based on your 1) air fryer model; 2) the size of the chicken wings; 3) whether the wings are raw, precooked, breaded or presauced; and 4) how many wings are in the air fryer. Use my recipe as a guide, but keep an eye on the wings the first time you follow it so you know what works best for you.

    Keywords: air fryer recipes, chicken wings, air fryer

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @caiteyjay on Instagram


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      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. June

      January 13, 2022 at 4:34 am

      Turned out really good for cooking from frozen. And the spice rub was great too! Going to try with buffalo sauce next time.

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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