From-scratch Dry Rub Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Crispy Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer – A house favorite recipe for crispy chicken wings in the air fryer. Straightforward to cook with a dry rub, keto-friendly, satisfying and lower in calories.

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You will love this Air Fryer Chicken Wings Dry Rub

If you’re looking for a stress free, straightforward-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 straightforward 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.

What you’ll need for Dry Rub Chicken Wings (Air Fryer Style!)

• 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.

How to make Dry Rub Air Fryer 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 pepper, powder, and salt.
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 (we 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 we set our 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 we 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.

Chicken Wing Rub variations

• 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 evenly with this recipe.

Alterations to Lower Calories or WW Points

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

Tips for making Air Fryer Dry Rub Wings

• 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 a couple of minutes longer depending on the size of the wings.

How to serve these Dry Rub Air Fryer Chicken 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 our Crispy Baked Garlic Potato Wedges)
Fried pickles

Storing Air Fried Wings

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, we 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. We recommend 350°F for 10 minutes in the air fryer.

Dry Rub Wings Air Fryer FAQs