These Air Fryer dry rubbed chicken wings have the perfect crispy seasoned skin and the juicy meat that makes them absolutely irresistible.
If I had to pick one chicken recipe that’s hard for me to just stop eating, this is the one!
Best of all, it’s gluten-free, packs in bold flavors and takes just under 30 minutes to make.
I’m a chicken wing lover through and through, and if you’re one too, check out my other chicken wing recipes- KFC honey BBQ wings, keto garlic Parmesan chicken wings, Air Fryer teriyaki chicken wings and Air Fryer Korean chicken wings.
These dry rubbed wings are just what they sound like- crispy and savory on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside.
And making them is super easy too!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Loaded with flavor: These wings are loaded with flavor. They’re seasoned in a mix of dry herbs and spices, which makes them an absolute winner!
- Perfect appetizer: You can enjoy these seasoned chicken wings as a party snack or a game day appetizer- they are sure to be a total crowd pleaser every single time!
- Easy recipe: Making these chicken wings is beyond easy. It’s just going to take you a few minutes to put everything together, and you’re sorted.
Ingredients For the Air Fryer Dry Rubbed Chicken Wings Recipe
- Chicken wings: Use all wings or only drumettes- it’s your choice. You can also replicate this recipe using chicken tenders too!
- Dry rub seasoning: I used a scratch-made dry rub seasoning made using onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, black pepper, dried mustard, dried oregano, dried thyme and salt.
- Olive oil: To coat the chicken and to help the seasoning mix stick to the surface. Feel free to use vegetable oil, canola oil or avocado oil instead of olive oil.
Variations & Substitutions
- Use a different cut of chicken like chicken breasts or thighs or even cubed chicken to enjoy a different version of this recipe.
- You can also experiment with different seasoning mixes and rubs to bring different variations to the recipe. Stick to a simple Italian seasoning or taco seasoning mix or try making my homemade Old Bay seasoning, rotisserie chicken seasoning, Fiesta rub or blackened seasoning mix.
- To get an extra bit of crunchy texture on the chicken, add some baking powder into the seasoning mix.
- If you want the chicken wings to have some sauciness on the outside, brush some melted butter or ketchup (or your favorite hot sauce if you like it spicy) over them during the last few minutes of cooking time, and air fry them again. I love slathering on some of my fireball BBQ sauce over these wings.
How to Make Air Fryer Dry Rubbed Chicken Wings
Preheat: To make these air fried dry rubbed chicken wings, start by preheating your Air Fryer at 380 degrees and lining the basket with parchment paper or Air Fryer liners.
Prepare dry rub: In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients for the dry rub and mix well. Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your liking.
Prep chicken: Use paper towels to pat the chicken wings and dab away any excess moisture on the surface. Transfer them to a large bowl and drizzle a bit of olive oil over them, making sure all the chicken wings are nicely coated.
Sprinkle time: Sprinkle the dry rub over the chicken and mix everything well.
Cook time: Arrange the seasoned chicken in a single layer in the Air Fryer basket and cook for 25-30 minutes, flipping the wings midway through the cooking time.
Cool and serve: Once the chicken wings are cooked, get them out and allow them to rest for a few minutes before you serve them.
Tips & Tricks to Make Dry Rubbed Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer
- To get the chicken wings to have a nice crispy texture on the outside, make sure to dab away any excess moisture on the surface, and season them once they’re completely dry.
- Don’t add too many chicken wings all together in the Air Fryer basket. If you’re making a huge portion, cook in batches, so that all the wings can cook evenly and crisp up nicely. Otherwise, they’ll just end up steamed and soft, and will possibly be cooked unevenly too.
- To get the chicken wings to have a rich, buttery texture and flavor, slather on some butter right after you get them out, or use butter instead of olive oil to grease them.
Storage Instructions
Refrigeration: Store your leftover dry rubbed chicken wings in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Use an airtight container to keep it fresh, or cover up the dish with some plastic wrap to seal in the moisture.
Freezing: I wouldn’t recommend freezing these wings. Once you freeze and thaw them, the oil and dry rub will start to come off along with the liquid, and you won’t have the flavor and texture you’re looking for.
Reheating: To reheat the chicken, microwave it for a few minutes until it is nice and warm. This will not get the chicken crispy though. If you want it to have that crispy texture, you’ll need to air fry it for a few minutes, but remember that doing this can make the chicken slightly dry, and possibly a little charred too.
Serving Ideas & Suggestions
Team up these crunchy and crispy dry rubbed chicken wings with some dipping sauces of your choice. I’m personally a big fan of these savory and spicy chicken wings served with some cheesy nacho sauce or copycat KFC honey mustard sauce.
You can also pair it with some classic French fries or Air Fryer truffle fries if you’re craving something fancy. I really enjoy these with my Air Fryer everything bagel avocado fries.
To make these wings a part of a wholesome and filling meal, serve them with some Air Fryer Cracker Barrel mac and cheese.
FAQs
Can I make dry rubbed chicken wings in the oven? You absolutely can! Just preheat the oven at 400 degrees and place the chicken wings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You can then cook these for 40-45 minutes or until they are golden brown on the outside and perfectly cooked in the middle.
How will I know the chicken is cooked? To check the doneness of the chicken, use a meat thermometer. If it reads 165 degrees, the chicken is done.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- AIR FRYER HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN WINGS
- AIR FRYER HONEY BBQ CHICKEN WINGS
- EASY AIR FRYER CHICKEN WINGS
- AIR FRYER TYSON CHICKEN WINGS
- AIR FRYER CHICKEN WINGS WITH BUFFALO SAUCE
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Air Fryer Dry Rubbed Chicken Wings
Description
Ingredients
Chicken Wings Ingredients:
- 2 pounds chicken wings, if you are using frozen, thawed.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Dry Rub Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, less if you don’t like heat
- 1 teaspoon dried mustard powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your desired level of spiciness.
- Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. This step helps the dry rub adhere better to the wings.
- Place the wings in a large bowl and drizzle them with a bit of olive oil. Toss to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle the prepared dry rub mixture generously over the chicken wings. Ensure that each wing is evenly coated with the flavorful rub. You can use your hands to massage the rub into the wings for better coverage.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 5 minutes. This ensures that the wings cook evenly and become crispy.
- Lightly grease the air fryer basket or tray with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Place the seasoned chicken wings in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. Be sure not to overcrowd them; you may need to cook in batches if necessary.
- Cook the wings at 380°F (193°C) for approximately 25-30 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. The exact cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model, so keep an eye on them. The wings should be golden brown and crispy when done.
- Once the wings are cooked to perfection, remove them from the air fryer.
- Let them cool for a few minutes, then serve them up as a delicious appetizer or main course.
- Garnish with fresh herbs or serve with your favorite dipping sauces.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
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