These gluten-free air fryer chicken wings are made with just 3 ingredients and pull together in under twenty minutes. These are the easiest air fryer wings you'll ever make, and they pair perfectly with any sauce, in addition to being low histamine, as well.
For those who enjoy easy air fryer chicken dishes, check out my air fryer chicken legs or simple chicken curry.
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About this recipe
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings: this simple baking powder trick makes some bangin' air fryer wings, and while the chicken itself is deliciously crispy when prepared this way, adding your sauce of choice before the final broiling step really brings it to the next level.
Great for Beginners: luckily this recipe needs very few substitutions and even less babysitting, since it's so straightforward. Consider using your downtime during cooking to prepare whatever suace you'd like to serve on or with the wings.
Low Histamine Meal: along with being a great way to add some healthy protein to your diet, these air fryer wings go great with any side dishes or sauces you'd like. I list some sides to pair with wings just above the recipe card for this post.
Ingredients
Fresh or Frozen Chicken Wings: we have been loving the fresh-frozen options from Thrive Market, but use whatever source you tolerate. Just don't forget to split them into drums & wings, which for this recipe ended up at about 13 pieces for me.
Sea Salt: use finely-ground sea salt for this, otherwise it won't season the chicken evenly enough.
Baking Powder: this one weird ingredient is the secret to crispy air fryer chicken wings. It basically helps to pull moisture to the surface during the cooking process, aiding in the crisping.
How to make air fryer chicken wings: step-by-step instructions
Step 1. Skip to step 2 if using refrigerated wings rather than frozen. If using frozen meat, start by placing your frozen chicken wings in warm water to defrost for 20 minutes, if time allows. If you don't have time to defrost them, plop the lump into the air fryer at 400°F (205°C) for 2 minutes, then take them out and continue.
Step 2. Once ready to cook, separate your wings into drum sticks and wings, and pat them as dry as possible.
Step 3. Place your dried, air fryer wings into a ziploc freezer bag along with your salt and baking powder, and toss until well-coated. This will help the wings crisp up even if they come directly from the freezer. Immediately throw away the paper towels.
Step 4. Once coated in baking powder, chicken wings can be placed in a single layer to the basket of your air fryer. Cook them at 400°F (205°C) for 18 minutes, flipping them halfway through (I recommend cooking them 9 minutes, then flipping and setting it for 9 more minutes).
Step 5. If you want to sauce the wings in the air fryer, don't just pour on the sauce. Take them out 4-5 minutes before they're set to be done, put them into a clean bowl, and quickly toss them in the sauce. Then immediately return them to the air fryer to cook for the last 4-5 minutes. This will give the wings enough time to soak up the sauce without it making them soggy or scorching the sauce. Once your air fryer turns off, your wings are done— if using a more delicate sauce, drizzle it on now and serve.
Recipe notes & tips
Skin or No Skin?: many people with histamine issues shy away from chicken skin, as it's said to sometimes irritate histamine issues. While personally I tend to use skin-on chicken to make air fryer wings, if you do choose to use skinless wings, you also may need 1-2 minutes' less cooking time.
Which Baking Powder?: if you're hyper-sensitive to gluten, be sure to buy grain-free baking powder, like the type sold by Otto's.
Batching: to use more or less chicken, for every half pound of wings add (or subtract) ½ tablespoon baking powder and just under ¼ teaspoon sea salt.
Freezing Instructions: if you want to freeze your leftovers, make this recipe initially would fresh wings, as double-frozen meat loses a lot of texture. Consider putting them in single-serve glass containers that are easy to reheat in the toaster oven or the microwave, to save on dishwasher space and reduce plastic usage. Reheat in the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes, sauce-on if using.
What to serve with air fryer wings
- honey garlic kale chips
- mashed potatoes with almond milk
- blistered carrots with sumac
- low histamine french fries
- garlic-baked brussels sprouts
- fresh steamed broccoli or cauliflower
- simple baked sweet potatoes
- maple garlic carrots & potatoes
Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe Card
As always, if you like the recipe, I really appreciate a 5 star review or comment!
📖 Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Baking Powder Trick!)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds chicken wings split into drums & wings, about 13 for me; see notes to use more or less
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder NOT baking soda
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Skip to step 2 if using refrigerated wings rather than frozen. If using frozen meat, start by placing your frozen chicken wings in warm water to defrost for 20 minutes, if time allows. If you don't have time to defrost them, plop the lump into the air fryer at 400°F (205°C) for 2 minutes, then take them out and continue.
- Once ready to cook, separate your wings into drum sticks and wings, and pat them as dry as possible.
- Place your dried, air fryer wings into a ziploc freezer bag along with your salt and baking powder, and toss until well-coated. This will help the wings crisp up even if they come directly from the freezer. Immediately throw away the paper towels.
- Once coated in baking powder, chicken wings can be placed in a single layer to the basket of your air fryer. Cook them at 400°F (205°C) for 18 minutes, flipping them halfway through (I recommend cooking them 9 minutes, then flipping and setting it for 9 more minutes).
- If you want to sauce the wings in the air fryer, don't just pour on the sauce. Take them out 4-5 minutes before they're set to be done, put them into a clean bowl, and quickly toss them in the sauce. Then immediately return them to the air fryer to cook for the last 4-5 minutes. This will give the wings enough time to soak up the sauce without it making them soggy or scorching the sauce. Once your air fryer turns off, your wings are done— if using a more delicate sauce, drizzle it on now and serve.
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