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The Ultimate Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Baking Powder

A close-up of a mound of golden brown, crispy air fryer chicken wings piled high on a white plate.

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You achieve perfectly crunchy, golden-brown chicken wings without deep-frying. This recipe uses baking powder to draw out moisture, guaranteeing maximum crispiness for your game day snacks or quick weeknight dinners. This is the best air fryer wings method for that satisfying crunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs chicken wings (flats and drumettes)
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder (aluminum-free is best)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken wings completely dry using paper towels. This step is crucial for crispiness.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix the baking powder, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and paprika to create your dry rub.
  3. Add the dried chicken wings to the bowl. Toss thoroughly until every piece is evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
  4. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C). Do not overcrowd the basket; work in batches if necessary.
  5. Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
  6. Air fry for 20 minutes.
  7. After 20 minutes, increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C). Cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until the wings are deep golden brown and extremely crispy.
  8. Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

  • Use aluminum-free baking powder; regular baking powder can leave a metallic taste.
  • Do not skip drying the wings; excess moisture prevents crisping.
  • If you plan to toss the wings in sauce, do so immediately after they come out of the air fryer, just before serving, to maintain the crunch.
  • For extra flavor, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the dry rub.

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