Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings Recipe

Despite being made with just a few simple ingredients, these air fryer BBQ chicken wings are packed full of bold flavor. Using both a dry rub and BBQ sauce creates layers of complex flavors, while air frying makes the wings moist and juicy.

The best thing about air fryer BBQ chicken wings is how quickly they can be made. In about 20 minutes, you can have the rich aroma of BBQ sauce wafting through the kitchen and a mouthwatering plate of wings ready to be devoured.

If you thought that you couldn’t BBQ wings in the air fryer, this easy recipe will show you just how simple it is, and you can make many BBQ recipes in the air fryer like this Air fryer BBQ pork chops or bbq chicken legs

The next time you have a craving for wings but don’t want to heat up the kitchen by turning on the oven, look no further than this easy air fryer BBQ chicken wings recipe to make the most irresistible plate of wings.

Ingredients for BBQ chicken wings

**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**

• Chicken wings: Split the whole chicken wings and remove the tips before proceeding with the recipe.
• Olive oil: A drizzle of olive oil enhances the tenderness of the wings and helps the spices to adhere to the chicken. You can also use vegetable oil or avocado oil. 
• Salt and pepper: The salt brings out the flavors of the dry rub and sauce, while the pepper lends a gentle heat.
• Low-sodium BBQ dry rub: BBQ dry rubs typically consist of a combination of salt, black pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder -- they may also have other spices like cumin and paprika or sugars, like brown sugar. This blend of spices and seasonings takes the wings to the next level, adding depth and complexity.
• BBQ sauce: Smoky and sweet, BBQ sauce adds even more bold flavor. There are tons of different brands, so choose your favorite BBQ sauce at the grocery store -- or you can make your own homemade BBQ sauce instead.

Tools used to make BBQ Chicken Wings in Air Fryer

• Air fryer
• Instant-read thermometer

How to Make BBQ Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer

Place the chicken wings in a large bowl with olive oil, salt, pepper, and seasoning, and massage into the chicken wings. 

Arrange the chicken wings in the air fryer basket and cook to 380ºF for 6 minutes on each side.

Toss chicken wings with BBQ sauce

And Air fry for an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until the sauce is charred and sticky. Chicken wings are done when an instant meat thermometer registers 165ºF.

Remove from the basket and serve with additional BBQ sauce. Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings

• Be sure to place wings in a single layer and leave plenty of space in between them so that they are able to crisp and cook evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to make these in batches.
• Make these air fryer bbq wings ahead and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before air frying.
• For the best results, use a paper towel to pat the chicken dry to ensure you wind up with crispy chicken wings.
• To minimize sticking, spray cooking spray on the air fryer basket before placing the wings into it.
• If you have a favorite barbecue sauce from a particular brand, use that.

How Long to Cook BBQ Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer

The overall cooking time for the wings is approximately 20 minutes. Be sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure the wings have reached the desired internal temperature.

What to Serve with BBQ Air Fryer Chicken Wings

These wings are bound to be the star of the show on any plate, and they pair well with tons of sides. We like to serve them with air fryer sweet potato cubes, french fries, potatoes and onions, sweet potato fries, or simple brown rice.

For veggie-based sides, try air fryer cauliflower bites, broccoli bites, or simple air fryer eggplant. And while you can serve them as a main course, they also make for a great appetizer -- try serving them alongside other finger foods and snacks.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Wings

Store wings in a ziploc bag or airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze them in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

To reheat, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, place the wings on a baking sheet, and bake for 10-20 minutes. Or, reheat them in the air fryer for approximately 5 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, flipping them over halfway through cooking.

FAQ’s

Can you use frozen chicken wings to make this recipe?

While this recipe uses fresh chicken wings, you can certainly cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer. Just place them in the air fryer basket for 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove them and coat them with the sauce before returning to the air fryer to finish cooking.

Can you put BBQ sauce on chicken wings before air frying?

Absolutely, you can put BBQ sauce on chicken wings before air frying. We add the BBQ sauce a portion of the way through cooking to ensure it isn’t overcooked.

How to keep the wings moist?

Olive oil helps to keep the wings moist. You can also soak the wings in a mixture of baking soda and water prior to cooking, which also helps them to remain moist.

What to do with leftover BBQ chicken wings?

Store these for a couple of days to snack on or have as another meal. You can also take the chicken off the bones and use it to top a simple salad or to make a BBQ chicken wrap. 

Another great use for leftover wing meat is to put together a BBQ chicken pizza, or get creative on Taco Tuesday and make BBQ chicken tacos or quesadillas.

More Air Fryer Recipes you’ll love

• Air Fryer Chicken Wings No Flour
• Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
• Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Wings
• Marinated Chicken Wings in The Air Fryer

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