Air Fryer BBQ Wings

Cooking chicken wings in the air fryer creates a wonderfully crispy wing. Cook and then toss in your favorite BBQ sauce for a great snack, game day appetizer, or fun dinner.

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Bar-B-Que Beast. I received product samples in exchange for this post. All opinions are mine alone.

My husband is pretty predictable. I can usually tell you what extras will find their way into the bag when he goes to the grocery store (Cadbury Cream Eggs in spring, tortilla chips and salsa or sunflower seeds the rest of the year) or the liquor store (specialty popcorn). Likewise, I can usually guess his order at a restaurant.

One of the things he gravitates to when we go out is wings – sometimes as a meal, sometimes as an appetizer. Until this year, we had never made them at home, but quarantined life makes you experiment a bit. We’ve tried baking wings in the oven, which should results in crispy wings but didn’t. The pro? It was fairly hands off. But we’ve decided our preferred method of cooking the wings is in the air fryer.

Yes, I know that not everyone has an air fryer. I held out for a long time, but I will admit, I really like mine and have enjoyed all of the recipes I’ve tried in it (mostly from Skinny Taste). Here’s the thing. The air fryer really does result in a nice, crispy outside without the grease – with wings as well as chicken cutlets, bacon, veggies…. you name it. For wings, it does take a little longer, having to cook them in batches, but it’s worth it. 

The Methodology

1. Season the wings. Can’t go wrong with salt and pepper but you can also use a sprinkle of garlic powder. 
2. Cook in preheated air fryer for 12 minutes, flip, and cook for another 12 minutes.
3. Toss wings in a container with a lid and top with sauce. 
4. Shake well and serve.

Easy right? 

Don’t have an air fryer but interested? I have this one and really like it: 

Now onto the Sauce

You can use any barbecue sauce you’d like, but today, I used two different sauces from Bar-B-Que Beast – their Original and their On the Bay. The company has a great story. Bar-B-Que Beast was originally created about 20 years ago in by a member of the US Air Force stationed in Stuttgart, Germany (Headquarters EUCOM). Missing BBQ sauce from home, co-founder Ann Raresheid decided to make her own. Fast-forward to today, Ann and co-founder Tara Runkles run Bar-B-Que Beast out of Pennsylvania. This all-female, veteran owned company received first place for “World Series of BBQ, Best Sauce on the Planet” and they did not disappoint. 

Of the two, my hubby and I agreed that On the Bay was our favorite of the two – we love the subtle hint of the Baltimore-born spice mix, Old Bay. It created a sauce that was a bit less sweet, a little bit Maryland (our home, for those of you just joining us). 

Follow Bar-B-Que Beast on Facebook and Instagram. #feedyourbeast 

Check out these other great recipes using Bar-B-Que Beast. See one you like? Bottles of the sauce are now until August 15th on sale for $1 off, so head on over to their website and pick one or two to try! 

• Air Fryer BBQ Wings by Books n’ Cooks (below!)
• Air Fryer Chicken Fingers with BBQ Yogurt dipping sauce By Simple and Savory
• Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Chicken with BBQ Dipping Sauce By Kate’s Recipe Box
• Barbecue Seafood Skewers by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Barbecue Shrimp and Cheesy Grits By Making Miracles
• Curry Barbecue Chickpea and Eggplant Tacos by Savory Moments
• Grilled Curry Barbecue Chicken by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• On the Bay Bar-B-Cue Crab Dip By Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Southern BBQ Tri Tip Sandwiches by The Freshman Cook
• Spicy BBQ Diablo Chicken by Cookaholic Wife

Print

Air Fryer BBQ Wings

Cooking chicken wings in the air fryer creates a wonderfully crispy wing. Cook and then toss in your favorite BBQ sauce for a great snack, game day appetizer, or fun dinner.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Servings 8

Author Liz

Ingredients

• 3 lbs. chicken wings (about 24 pieces)
• kosher salt
• black pepper
• cooking spray
• 1/2 c. your favorite BBQ sauce divided

Instructions

1. Preheat air fryer to 360F.

2. While air fryer is preheating, split chicken wings into two pieces - the drumette and the wingette (also called the flat) You can skip this step if wings are already split.

3. Toss wings in a bowl and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

4. When air fryer is preheated, remove basket and spray with cooking spray. Place wing pieces inside in a single layer. Wings may be touching slightly, but should not overlap. Cook for 12 minutes. Flip and cook another 12 minutes. Transfer wings to a larger container with a lid. Continue cooking wings in batches, until complete. Unless wings are sticking, you should not need to spray basket with cooking spray again.

5. While cooked wings are still hot, add about 1/4 c. of sauce to container. Cover and gently toss to coat wings in sauce. Transfer to a serving dish. Repeat with remaining wings.

6. Serve hot.

Recipe Notes

I used a basket-style air fryer for this recipe.

This recipe makes about 24 wings, about 8 servings as an appetizer (3 pieces per person).

By Books n’ Cooks

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Bar-B-Que Beast. I received product samples in exchange for this post. All opinions are mine alone.