how long should i air fry frozen chicken wings

How Long Should I Air Fry Frozen Chicken Wings? The Complete Guide

Chicken wings are a beloved snack or appetizer for many. For the best texture balance, cook them so that the outside is crispy and the inside is juicy. But cooking them can be scary. How long do you bake them for? How long do you fry them? Can you cook them from frozen?

This is where the air fryer comes in. Air frying makes cooking frozen chicken wings incredibly easy. You can enjoy tasty wings in less time than it would take for delivery by following a few easy steps. You don’t have to wait for wings to thaw or oil to heat up. Find out everything you need to know to make the best air fryer frozen chicken wings at home.

Benefits of Using an Air Fryer

Air frying chicken wings provides a few key advantages:

• Less fat and calories – Air frying uses significantly less oil compared to deep frying, keeping the wings healthier

• Quick cook time – Frozen wings cook fast in the circulating hot air, ready in about 25-30 minutes. Much speedier than oven baking.

• Crispy exterior – The high heat helps the outside get crispy and browned without drying out the meat.

• Even cooking – The hot air cooks the wings evenly all over, no flipping required.

• Simple process – Just toss the frozen wings in, set the temp and timer, and walk away. Easy!

How Long Do Frozen Wings Take in an Air Fryer?

The ideal cook time for frozen chicken wings in an air fryer is usually around 25-30 minutes at 380°F or 400°F. Thinner or smaller wings may only need 20-22 minutes, while meatier drumettes may take closer to 30 minutes.

Always check for doneness rather than relying solely on time. Wings are safely cooked once the internal temperature reaches 165°F. If the meat is still not done, cook for another 5 minutes and check to see if it is done.

It’s also a good idea to shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. Here is a simple timeline:

• 0:00 – Place frozen wings in air fryer basket in single layer
• 12:00 – Shake basket to toss and rotate wings
• 25-30:00 – Check temperature and crispiness, cook longer if needed

Frozen vs Thawed Wings

You don’t need to thaw frozen wings before air frying. Cooking from fully frozen will yield tasty results. But letting it thaw first can help seasonings and sauces stick better if you want to add flavor.

If thawing, leave wings in the refrigerator overnight or use the defrost function on the microwave. Then pat dry thoroughly before tossing in oil and preferred seasonings or dry rub.

How to Cook Frozen Wings Perfectly in the Air Fryer

Follow these simple steps for foolproof frozen chicken wings every time:

1. Preheat air fryer to 380°F-400°F.

2. Pat wings dry if thawed, or leave frozen. Toss with a little oil or spray if desired.

3. Arrange wings in a single layer in the basket, being careful not to overcrowd.

4. Cook 25-30 minutes, shaking basket halfway through.

5. Check temperature with a meat thermometer. Wings are done at 165°F.

6. Allow wings to rest 5 minutes before tossing with sauce or serving.

Tips for Extra Crispy Wings

Achieving crispy frozen chicken wings in the air fryer is easy with these tips:

• Dry wings thoroughly before cooking

• Don’t overcrowd the basket

• Cook at 400°F vs lower temps

• Let wings rest before saucing (the steam can soften the skin)

• Finish under the broiler 1-2 minutes if needed

• Toss with a bit of baking powder or cornstarch before cooking for extra crunch

How to Add More Flavor

Plain air fried frozen chicken wings are delicious, but adding sauces or dry rubs can take them to the next level. Here are a few ways to incorporate more flavor:

• Toss cooked wings in hot sauce like Frank’s RedHot or buffalo sauce

• Coat in sticky barbecue sauce or Asian glazes

• Sprinkle with a dry rub before or after cooking – try Cajun, lemon pepper, jerk seasoning blends

• Marinate thawed wings in sauce overnight before freezing and cooking

• Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro or scallions before serving

Serving Suggestions and Side Dishes

Chicken wings are versatile and pair well with:

• Celery and carrot sticks with blue cheese or ranch dip

• Waffle fries or sweet potato fries

• Dipping sauces – try ranch, blue cheese, honey mustard

• Crispy coleslaw or broccoli slaw

• Hummus and pita chips or flatbread

• Guacamole and tortilla chips

• Mac and cheese or baked beans

Get Creative with Flavors

Don’t limit yourself to Buffalo, barbecue or lemon pepper. Embrace new flavors like:

• Jerk or Cajun rub with mango habanero sauce

• Orange ginger or sesame garlic sauce

• Spicy maple sriracha wings

• “Nashville hot” style with hot oil and brown sugar

• Honey sriracha or honey chipotle sauce

Leftovers and Reheating

Properly stored, leftover air fried chicken wings will last 3-4 days refrigerated. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-8 minutes until hot. The microwave can also be used though the skin may become soggy.

Freezing Cooked Wings

You can also freeze any leftover cooked wings. Allow them to cool fully before storing in a freezer bag or airtight container, squeezing out excess air. They’ll keep for 2-3 months frozen. Reheat directly from frozen using the same method.

The Takeaway

Cooking frozen chicken wings in the air fryer is incredibly easy and yields tender, juicy meat with crispy skin in under 30 minutes. Just toss them in the basket and let the hot circulating air work its magic. Feel free to get creative with flavors too using sauces, glazes and seasonings. In no time, you’ll have restaurant-quality wings ready to enjoy!

To cook frozen chicken wings at 400°F (200°C), you’ll generally need to bake them for 35-45 minutes in a conventional oven.