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I don’t know about you, but when football season rolls around, BBQ wings are basically a requirement. This Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings recipe makes it easy to whip up a batch that tastes like you worked way harder than you did. They’re saucy, sticky, and perfect for sharing (or not)!
why you’ll love These Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings
In my book, nothing beats a really good BBQ wing! They’re crispy on the edges, packed with smoky flavor, and finished with a shiny glaze that is finger-licking food. And as a Southern girl who has eaten my fair share of wings, I know exactly what separates the great ones from the forgettable ones. These are absolutely in the “great” category.
Instead of deep frying, these wings get their crunch in the air fryer, which keeps things simple and mess-free. I also like to level up the BBQ sauce with a touch of honey and a splash of Worcestershire for extra depth. This recipe is quick, flavorful, and just about foolproof, making it the kind of wing you’ll want on repeat!
What makes these BBQ Wings a keeper!
❥Crispy Without the Fryer: Cornstarch and high heat help these wings get ultra-crispy. No oil splatter or messy frying needed!
❥ Big BBQ Flavor: A smoky, sweet BBQ glaze thickened with honey and Worcestershire coats every wing.
❥ Quick to Make: Ready in about 35 minutes start to finish, perfect for weeknights or last-minute get-togethers.
❥ Easy to Customize: Use your favorite BBQ sauce, add heat, or sweeten the glaze! You can make them exactly how you like them.
BBQ Chicken Wings Ingredients
- Chicken Wings: Party wings are the best option here. Or you can split the wings into drumettes and flats!
- Olive Oil: Helps the seasoning stick and makes them extra crisp in the air fryer!
- Cornstarch: This is the secret to crispy skin in the air fryer. The cornstarch soaks up extra moisture!
- Dry Rub: Use a combination of kosher salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper to season the wings before they cook.
- BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite! I recommend a thick, smoky variety as they work best.
- Honey: Sweetens and thickens the glaze for that sticky finish.
- Worcestershire: For an extra depth of flavor in the sauce.
How To Make Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1 | Season the Wings
Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
Pat the chicken wings using a paper towel to remove as much water as possible. The drier the wing, the crispier the skin will be. Then place the chicken in a large bowl, and drizzle the olive oil over the top. Sprinkle the cornstarch, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper over the wings, then toss them until well coated.
Step 2 | Air Fry & Make the Glaze
Place the chicken wings in a single layer at the bottom of the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. Cook the wings at 390°F (200°C) for 12 minutes, then turn them and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes, until they are golden brown and crispy.
While the wings cook, make the BBQ Glaze. Heat the BBQ Sauce, Honey, and Worcestershire Sauce in a small sauce pan over Low heat. Stir the mixture for 2-3 minutes until the BBQ sauce thickens and becomes glossy. Remove from heat.
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Step 3 | Glaze the Wings & Serve
Once the wings have finished cooking, place them in a large bowl and pour the warm BBQ glaze over them. Toss the wings until they are all well coated with the glaze.
For extra sticky wings, air fry them for an additional 4 minutes after glazing.
Serve the wings immediately and have additional glaze on hand for those who like to dip their wings.
Variations and Substitutions
- Add Spice: Add cayenne to the dry rub or stir hot sauce into the glaze for a little heat!
- Sauce Options: Try mustard BBQ, chipotle BBQ, bourbon BBQ, or a Carolina-style vinegar base.
- Make Them Sweeter: Add a little brown sugar to the dry rub or an extra drizzle of honey to the glaze!
Recipe FAQs
Choose a thick, smoky, slightly sweet BBQ sauce. Kansas City–style works great. KC Masterpiece, Sweet Baby Ray’s, and Kinder’s are all delicious options. Mix sweet and spicy sauces for even more flavor.
Chicken wings usually take 22 to 25 minutes in the air fryer at 390°F to 400°F, depending on the size of the wings and the model of the air fryer. They should be golden, crispy, and cooked through by the end of that time.
Yes. Flipping the wings halfway through helps them crisp evenly on all sides. It also prevents any spots from steaming instead of crisping, which gives you that perfect, even crunchy skin.
What to Serve with Air Fried BBQ Wings
Serve these BBQ chicken wings hot and fresh, ideally right after glazing while the sauce is sticky and shiny. They pair perfectly with ranch or blue cheese dressing and celery sticks if you’re serving as an appetizer. If you want a larger meal, I love serving wings with sides like coleslaw, macaroni salad, or even mac and cheese. Keep extra BBQ glaze on the side for dipping, there’s never enough sauce when it comes to wings!
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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings - split into drumettes and flats
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
- Pat the chicken wings using a paper towel to remove as much water as possible. The drier the wing, the crispier the skin will be. Then place the chicken in a large bowl, and drizzle the olive oil over the top. Sprinkle the cornstarch, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper over the wings, then toss them until well coated.
- Place the chicken wings in a single layer at the bottom of the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. Cook the wings at 390°F (200°C) for 12 minutes, then turn them and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes, until they are golden brown and crispy.
- While the wings cook, make the BBQ Glaze. Heat the BBQ Sauce, Honey, and Worcestershire Sauce in a small sauce pan over Low heat. Stir the mixture for 2-3 minutes until the BBQ sauce thickens and becomes glossy. Remove from heat.
- Once the wings have finished cooking, place them in a large bowl and pour the warm BBQ glaze over them. Toss the wings until they are all well coated with the glaze.
- For extra sticky wings, air fry them for an additional 4 minutes after glazing.
- Serve the wings immediately and have additional glaze on hand for those who like to dip their wings.
Notes
- I like extra crispy wings, so I always do the third round of airfrying after glazing but this is not necessary.
- I use the Drew Barrymore Beautiful air fryer, which perfectly fits all 2 pounds of wings, but this may need to be done in batches if you have a smaller air fryer.
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