Looking for yummy chicken recipes? You’ve come to the right place. In this article, you’ll learn how to make some lip-smacking air fryer chicken wings. It’s one of those healthy recipes you can enjoy without overthinking about its consequences. And fret not if you’ve just started learning how to cook. We’ve kept this air-fried chicken wings recipe as simple as possible. Your meal will be ready in 25 minutes or less.

Why is this a must-try recipe
Before we begin, let’s understand why you should give this recipe a try. Here are two reasons:

Nutritional value
As far as nutritional value is concerned, the meal amounts to about 200 kcal and consists of fat (15 grams), carbohydrates (three grams), sugar (one gram), and protein (18 grams). It tastes exactly like traditionally-fried wings when cooked to perfection. And air frying makes it more healthy.

Easy to make
Another reason to try this air-fried chicken wings recipe is that the entire process only takes about 21 to 23 minutes, including three to five minutes of preparation time and about 18 minutes of cooking time. This makes it perfect for surprise guests. Also, it’s less messy, and both kids and adults love it! You can enjoy the wings either as a main course or side.

Ingredients needed
Before you begin, it’s best to ensure you have the ingredients ready. It helps avoid last-minute runs to the grocery store. Since this is among the simple chicken recipes, you would most likely have the ingredients at home. You’ll need chicken wings (200 lbs), olive oil (one tablespoon), garlic powder (one teaspoon), onion powder (one teaspoon), paprika as per spice tolerance (recommended: one teaspoon), salt (one teaspoon), and black pepper (half a teaspoon). Once you have these ready, it’s time to start cooking.

Preparation
Let’s approach the cooking process in a step-by-step manner:

Step one
The first step is to prepare the chicken wings. Whole wings will need to be separated into drums and flats. If they don’t separate easily, make sure they’re properly defrosted. Then pat them dry with a napkin. This is essential to make them crispy.

Step two
Now it’s time to add the condiments. Before you do that, lay the wings flat in a tray and grease them with sufficient olive oil or drizzle the oil over them. Then add the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt. Mix to ensure each wing is well-coated.

Step three
It’s time to air fry, so preheat the air fryer at 400°F for about two minutes. Add only a single layer of coated wings to the fryer, and fry them for ten minutes. Ensure the wings don’t touch each other.

Step four
When the timer beeps after ten minutes, open the fryer. Carefully flip over the half-cooked chicken wings and cook for eight more minutes.

Your crispy chicken wings are ready to serve! This air-fried chicken wings recipe is customizable, and both novice and experienced cooks try it. Remember to always use fresh chicken.

Variations to try
If you enjoy a spicy, buttery flavor in chicken wings, here’s a variation to try. While your wings are still in the fryer, warm butter in a microwave-safe bowl until completely melted, and add hot sauce to it. After taking the wings out of the fryer, coat them with this mixture and serve.

You can also bake the wings instead of air frying. Preheat the oven to 400°F as usual and place the wings in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake the wings for at least 30 minutes, then flip and bake for another 15 to 30 minutes. This is another popular choice among chicken recipes.

Sides that go well with chicken wings
If you think this air-fried chicken wings recipe is incomplete without sides, read on. Here’s a list of sides you can serve with any kind of chicken wings:

Sweet potatoes
Baked sweet potatoes are easy to make. Their creamy texture looks good and tastes better. You can also stuff them with broccoli and cheese. It’s the most nutritious combination.

Avocado fries
If potatoes aren’t your favorite, make avocado fries. They’re nutritious, and the creamy texture with spicy wings is worth drooling over. You can also bake avocados instead of frying them.

Macaroni and cheese
This is another effortlessly-made side dish that both kids and adults love. The smooth, creamy taste of mac and cheese complements the crispiness of the wings. However, it isn’t too healthy.

Corn on the cob
Nutty-flavored corn makes a delicious side to fried chicken. It’s easy to make; you can boil it on slow heat or grill it. Grease grilled corn with butter to enhance the flavor.

Garden salad
Salad makes chicken recipes more healthy. Toss in your favorite veggies and drizzle some olive oil, lemon, and pepper, and you’re good to go!