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    Home » Food

    Air Fryer Chicken Wings Dry Rub Recipe

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    Crispy Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer - The best recipe for crispy chicken wings in the air fryer. Easy to make with a dry rub, keto-friendly, delicious and lower in calories.

    crispy chicken wings in the air fryer sprinkled with parsley and a ranch drizzle

    This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you decide to purchase through my link, I may earn a very small commission at no additional cost to you.

    You'll Love Dry Rub Air Fryer Chicken Wings

    If you’re looking for a stress free, easy-to-make dinner in your air fryer, these Dry Rub Wings are an excellent choice. A dry rub is a combination of dried herbs and spices mixed together and rubbed on the wings. It’s an easy option and doesn’t require the time it does with a traditional marinade. By simply coating the wings in dry rub and popping them in the air fryer, you’ll have crispy chicken wings from the air fryer in under 30 minutes.

    Are chicken wings healthy if air fried?

    Chicken wings that are air fried are healthier than deep fried chicken wings. Deep frying involves the wings being fried in some form of fat, usually vegetable oil. When using an air fryer, no vegetable oil is required. Instead, the heat circulates through the machine around the wings to give it the same crispy texture.

    Dry Rub Wings Air Fryer Ingredients

    • Mix of Chicken Wings and Drumettes
    • Smoked Paprika
    • Onion Powder
    • Garlic Powder
    • Kosher Salt
    • Black Pepper
    • Wing Sauce (optional)

    Can you air fry frozen chicken wings?

    You can use frozen wings if you thaw them first. In order to get a crispy wing and for food safety, you’ll want them to be completely thawed before cooking.

    ingredients to make crispy chicken wings in the air fryer

    How To Make Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings

    Detailed instructions and measurements are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

    1. Add your wings and drumettes to a large mixing bowl.
    2. In separate bowl, combine the smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
    3. Pour the spice mixture over your wings and drumettes and then rub in and mix to combine. You want the wings and drumettes completely coated in the mix on all sides.
    4. Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes on 400°F (this step helps them get crispy!)
    5. Once it is preheated, spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray (I use avocado oil)
    6. Place the wings and drumettes in the basket making sure they do not overlap. You may need to do it in two batches. Place the basket back in the air fryer and cook them at 360°F for 12 minutes.
    7. Open the air fryer basket and flip your wings and drumettes over. Put the basket back in the air fryer and cook them for 5 minutes at 380°F.
    8. Once done, remove them from the air fryer basket and place them in a mixing bowl.
    9. Serve them as is or with your favorite wing sauce!

    What temperature should I set my air fryer for chicken wings?

    Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes on 400°F (this step helps them get crispy!). Once wings and drumettes are in the air fryer basket, place the basket back in the air fryer and cook them at 360°F for 12 minutes.

    How many wings can I air fry at once?

    There is no specific number of wings you can use, but it will depend on your air fryer. You don’t want to overcrowd it because the air won’t be able to circulate completely around the wings. Be sure to do a single layer and do them in batches if needed.

    raw chicken wings with seasoning on them
    seasoned raw chicken wings in a bowl
    raw, seasoned chicken wings in the air fryer
    turning chicken wings over in the air fryer basket
    air fried chicken wings in a bowl
    cooked air fried chicken wings with sauce drizzled on them

    Tips for Air Fryer Chicken Wings Dry Rub

    • Try to find the package at your store that has both wings and drumettes combined if you like both.
    • Don't let them overlap in the air fryer. This will prevent them from getting extra crispy.
    • The increase in temperature is key! Don't skip it.
    • Having a dry rub for the air fryer chicken wings help that skin crisp up without extra moisture. Don't add any sauce until they are fully cooked.
    • This recipe can also be used for whole chicken wings! You may need to cook it just a couple of minutes longer depending on the size of the wings.

    Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe FAQ

    How long does it take to cook wings in an air fryer?

    Using this method, they need a total of 17 minutes in the air fryer.

    Are air fryers good for chicken wings?

    Absolutely! I actually prefer my wings made in the air fryer. They get extra crispy without being deep fried.

    What is the best air fryer for chicken wings?

    Any air fryer that comes with a basket will work great. I personally have this one and it works perfectly!

    How do I make my air fryer wings crispy?

    I actually find that the air fryer makes things crispier than I can achieve in the conventional oven.

    What does dry rub mean for wings?

    A dry rub for wings is a mixture of dried herbs and spices that is rubbed on the raw wings prior to cooking.

    How do you get a dry rub to stick to wings?

    You can use a binder or the natural moisture from the wings to get the dry rub to stick to the wings.

    Do you put dry rub on wings before or after cooking?

    Dry rub is put on wings before cooking. It will adhere and flavor the wings while cooking.

    Should I season wings before frying?

    Yes, you should always season wings before frying. For maximum flavor and crispy texture, seasoning should be added prior to cooking.

    crispy chicken wings in the air fryer sprinkled with parsley and a ranch drizzle

    How To Serve Dry Rub Air Fryer Wings

    If you decide to go with a spicy wing sauce, wings are excellent served with either ranch or blue cheese and a side of celery and carrots. The combination will help alleviate some of the heat from the spicy sauce.

    Side dishes that go excellent with chicken wings include:

    Macaroni and cheese
    Onion rings
    French fries (Try my Crispy Baked Garlic Potato Wedges)
    Fried pickles

    How To Store

    To store leftover air fryer chicken wings, add them to an airtight container once they have cooled completely. They will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer.

    To reheat, I recommend using your air fryer to develop a good texture without over cooking. If frozen, you should thaw them completely before reheating for best results. I recommend 350°F for 10 minutes in the air fryer.

    Alterations for Picky Eaters

    • Use their favorite dipping sauce - if they get to dip in something they love, all the better!
    • Remove the meat from the bone for them. Some picky eaters have a hesitation to meat still on the bone.
    • Serve it with ranch. A lot of picky eaters love to dip in ranch and it goes perfectly with this recipe.

    Alterations to Lower Calories or WW Points

    • Use a point friendly wing sauce, ranch or blue cheese dipping sauce

    Chicken Wing Dry Rub Air Fryer Calories

    The average chicken wing contains 43 calories per wing. Wings vary in weight and size, so individual wings may vary.

    Do air fried wings have less calories?

    Air fried wings have less calories than traditional deep fried wings because air fryer wings are not submerged in oil.

    How many calories are in 6 chicken wings?

    There are roughly 250 calories in 6 air fried chicken wings. Wings vary greatly in weight and size so it is important to weigh out your individual wings for accurate nutrition information.

    Other Ways to Use the Dry Rub

    Dry rub is excellent on various forms of chicken including thighs, breasts, and whole chicken. You can utilize it on pork and turkey as well.

    How long will the dry rub last?

    If the dry rub is made separately and stored in an airtight container away from sunlight, it will stay fresh for up to 6 months.

    You may also like

    • Simple Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos
    • Chicken Taquitos
    • Lemon Pepper Chicken

     

    crispy chicken wings in the air fryer sprinkled with parsley and a ranch drizzle

    Dry Rub Wings Air Fryer

    Kara - Sweetly Splendid
    The best recipes for crispy chicken wings in the air fryer. Easy to make with a dry rub, keto-friendly, delicious and lower in calories.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 17 mins
    Course Chicken
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 293 kcal
    Protein 27 g

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb mix of chicken wings and drumettes
    • ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
    • ½ tablespoon onion powder
    • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • wing sauce optional

    Instructions
     

    • Add your wings and drumettes to a large mixing bowl.
    • In a separate bowl, combine the smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
    • Pour the spice mixture over your wings and drumettes and then rub in and mix to combine. You want the wings and drumettes completely coated in the mix on all sides.
    • Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F (this step helps them get crispy!)
    • Once it is preheated, spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray (I use avocado oil)
    • Place the wings and drumettes in the basket making sure they do not overlap. You may need to do it in two batches. Place the basket back in the air fryer and cook them at 360°F for 12 minutes.
    • Open the air fryer basket and flip your wings and drumettes over. Put the basket back in the air fryer and cook them for 5 minutes at 380°F.
    • Once done, remove them from the air fryer basket and place them in a mixing bowl.
    • Serve them as is or with your favorite wing sauce!

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Dry Rub Wings Air Fryer
    Serving Size
     
    1 /4 lb
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    293
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    19
    g
    29
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    6
    g
    38
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    0
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    167
    mg
    56
    %
    Sodium
     
    969
    mg
    42
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    3
    g
    1
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    0
    g
    0
    %
    Protein
     
    27
    g
    54
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Have you tried this recipe? Please let us know how it was in the comments or tag us on Instagram @sweetlysplendid!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Cindy

      February 27, 2022 at 3:05 am

      You don't have an air fryer or an outdoor/ indoor grill. Can these be baked in the oven? I see people baking wings in the oven where they put a cooling rack over a cookie sheet? If so, let me know and how long would you suggest baking them. Thank you very much!

      Reply
      • kara

        March 02, 2022 at 2:51 pm

        Hi Cindy,
        I would recommend lining a baking sheet with foil and then placing a wire rack on top of that. Be sure to spray the rack with nonstick spray because the wings will stick otherwise. I would bake them at 425°F for 40-50 minutes, flipping halfway through. Be sure not to crowd them on the rack.

        Reply

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    Kara is a wife & mother living deep in the heart of Texas. She loves all things food and spending time with her family and dogs. She has a passion for cooking and loves making yummy, family-friendly recipes.

    More about me →

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