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A delicious chicken wings recipe displayed with ingredients.

Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Four Flavor Hacks

Crispy air fryer chicken wings with four delicious flavor hacks including Buffalo, Honey Garlic Soy, Zesty Lemon Pepper, and Smoky Chipotle BBQ. Perfect for a crowd or a weeknight meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 lbs chicken wings flats and drumettes, separated
  • 1 tbsp baking powder aluminum-free) or cornstarch
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
For Flavor Hack 1: Classic Buffalo
  • ½ cup Frank's RedHot Original Hot Sauce
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 tbsp white vinegar
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
For Flavor Hack 2: Sticky Honey Garlic Soy
  • ¼ cup soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • red pepper flakes optional
For Flavor Hack 3: Zesty Lemon Pepper
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
For Flavor Hack 4: Smoky Chipotle BBQ
  • ½ cup your favorite BBQ sauce
  • 1-2 tsp chipotle powder adjust to desired heat
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

Equipment

  • Paper towels
  • Large bowl
  • Air fryer
  • Medium bowl
  • Small saucepan
  • Whisk

Method
 

Prepare and Cook Wings
  1. Pat chicken wings dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss the wings with baking powder or cornstarch, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
  2. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes. Arrange seasoned wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
  3. Cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature should be 165°F (74°C). Cook in 2-3 batches.
Prepare Flavor Hack 1: Classic Buffalo
  1. While wings cook, whisk together hot sauce, melted butter, white vinegar, and garlic powder in a medium bowl.
Prepare Flavor Hack 2: Sticky Honey Garlic Soy
  1. In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
Prepare Flavor Hack 3: Zesty Lemon Pepper
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, lemon pepper seasoning, and garlic powder.
Prepare Flavor Hack 4: Smoky Chipotle BBQ
  1. In a medium bowl, combine BBQ sauce, chipotle powder, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika.
Toss and Serve
  1. Once a batch of wings is cooked, immediately transfer them to its designated sauce/coating bowl. Toss until thoroughly coated. Repeat with remaining batches and their respective flavor hacks. Serve hot.

Notes

For extra crispy wings, ensure they are thoroughly patted dry before seasoning. Adjust spice levels in the sauces to your preference. If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the wings in an oven at 400°F (200°C) for 40-50 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and cooked through.