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This Is the Most Important Step When Whipping Up Irresistible Air Fryer Wings

Air fryer wings are as simple to make as they are delicious.

Headshot of Corin Cesaric
Headshot of Corin Cesaric
Corin Cesaric Editor
Corin Cesaric is a Flex Editor at CNET currently covering home tech. She received her bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Before joining CNET, she covered crime at People Magazine and national and international news at NBC Local Television Stations.
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Corin Cesaric
2 min read
cooked chicken wings in a black air fryer

Cook your chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer to create the perfect dish.

Corin Cesaric/CNET

If you're searching for an easy weeknight meal or appetizer, look no further than these tasty air fryer buffalo wings. 

Chicken wings are one of my favorite meals to make in the air fryer because they're simple to cook, minimal dishes and ingredients are needed, and no matter what spices or sauces you use, they always turn out delicious. 

There's a process to making the perfect air fryer chicken wings, and most importantly, there is one step you can't skip: Cook your wings in a single layer. You want to avoid overcrowding your air fryer or layering your chicken wings on top of one another. Trust me, doing so is a recipe for disaster (no pun intended) and will undoubtedly lead to unevenly cooked -- and worst of all -- soggy chicken wings. 

If you are preparing more than what will fit in a single layer in your air fryer, cook them in batches and double-check that none overlap. Although your wings will shrink while cooking, you still want to leave enough room in between them so they're not lying on top of each other. 

You can make any flavor of wings in the air fryer -- so don't be afraid to experiment -- but my go-to recipe is these buffalo chicken wings. Here's how you can make your very own crispy and delicious air fryer wings in less than 30 minutes. 

Ingredients

  • 1 pack chicken wings (about 15 wings)
  • 1/2 cup Frank's RedHot Hot Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil 
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder 
  • 1 teaspoon paprika 
  • 1 teaspoon pepper

How to make 25-minute air fryer chicken wings

Step 1: Pat dry the chicken wings and place them in a large mixing bowl and drizzle olive oil over them.

Step 2: Combine the seasonings and sprinkle them on the wings, then mix well so that the meat is fully covered.

four seasoning jars on a countertop with a ramekin and spices

The four seasonings you will need for air fryer chicken wings.

Corin Cesaric/CNET

Step 3: Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, then flip them and cook for another 10 minutes. Make sure to not overcrowd the air fryer, and cook them in multiple batches if needed.

Raw chicken wings in an air fryer

Don't stack the chicken wings in the air fryer. Instead, make sure they're all in a single layer.

Corin Cesaric/CNET

Step 4: While the wings are cooking, melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan, then add in Frank's RedHot Hot Sauce (or a hot sauce of your choosing) and simmer on low heat for three to four minutes, stirring occasionally. 

butter and Frank's RedHot hot sauce on a white coutner with an air fryer in the background.

If you would rather use a buffalo sauce instead of traditional hot sauce, you do not need to add butter to this recipe. 

Corin Cesaric/CNET

Step 5: When the wings are done cooking and have reached an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees, place them in a clean mixing bowl and pour the buffalo sauce mixture over them.

chicken wings in a stainless steel mixing bowl

These air fryer chicken wings are simple and quick, making them perfect for a week night meal. 

Corin Cesaric/CNET

Step 6: Toss the wings until they're fully coated and serve immediately with dipping sauce and carrots and celery. 

buffalo chicken wings on a white plate with carrots and celery.

These wings are perfectly crispy every time.

Corin Cesaric/CNET

Read more: 7 of the Best Air Fryer Accessories

More air fryer recipes to try