Ultra crunchy on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside- once you give these Air Fryer naked chicken wings recipe a shot, you won’t go back to any other chicken wings recipe. It’s that good!
Making it is as easy as it gets- it’s just called naked, because there’s no coating or breading of any kind on the chicken.
Chicken wings are coated in a dry mix of spices and then cooked just right until they have that perfect golden brown, crispy charred exterior.
While I’m a big fan of using boneless chicken, on occasion, I do enjoy some good chicken wings. And of course, I love trying out new chicken wing recipes every time I get the chance.
My copycat buffalo wild wings, hot and spicy chicken wings, KFC honey BBQ wings and Jamaican Jerk chicken wings got a lot of love, and inspired by that, I tried my hands at this ridiculously, no-fuss recipe to make chicken wings in the Air Fryer.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Flavor packed: The chicken wings are loaded with flavor. The dry seasoning mix on the outside complements the savory deliciousness of the chicken like nothing else!
- Juicy and crispy: Air fried chicken has an incredible crispiness on the outside, and soft, tender and juicy meat on the inside.
- Easy to make: The recipe is ridiculously easy! It’ll just take you 5 minutes of prep time (and air frying) to put it together.
- Versatile: They’re super versatile- you can enjoy them on their own, or serve them with your favorite sides.
Ingredients For the Air Fryer Naked Chicken Wings Recipe
- Chicken wings: Use good quality chicken wings here. Drumettes could work well too.
- Seasonings: Any kind of seasonings or spices should work well, just make sure you choose a dry rub for best results. I used garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, cayenne, paprika and some kosher salt. Sometimes, I also use my Wingstop Louisiana rub.
- Olive oil: To coat the chicken and to help the spice mix cling to it nicely.
- Cooking spray: This one’s optional, but I would recommend using it. It helps keep the chicken from sticking to the Air Fryer basket.
- Dipping sauce: Choose any of your favorite dipping sauces for serving! I’m partial to my fireball BBQ sauce, Hooters chicken wing sauce and Zaxby’s ranch sauce.
Variations & Substitutions
Experiment with a different mix of seasonings like a savory homemade fiesta rub or Italian seasoning mix or even some peri peri seasoning mix to enjoy different versions of these chicken wings.
You can air fry whole wings or pre-cut wings. Both of them crisp up wonderfully in the Air Fryer. Just remember that cooking whole wings may take a bit longer to cook.
To lend a rich, delicious flavor to the chicken wings, brush a bit of melted butter over them towards the last couple of minutes of cooking.
How to Make Air Fryer Naked Chicken Wings
Prep chicken: Start by cleaning and pat drying your chicken wings. Add them to a bowl and coat them in some olive oil.
Season time: Add in the seasoning of your choice and give it a good mix. Make sure all the chicken wings are nicely coated.
Air fry: Arrange the chicken wings in a greased Air Fryer basket and cook for 18-20 minutes, flipping midway.
Plate and serve: Once they’re cooked, get them out, team them up with your favorite sauces and serve!
Tips & Tricks to Make Naked Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer
- For that golden brown exterior, spray a bit of cooking spray on the seasoned chicken wings too.
- To get that crunchy texture all throughout, flip the chicken midway through the cooking time.
- Also remember to keep enough space between the chicken wings to allow the hot air to flow easily throughout the basket. This will ensure the chicken is evenly cooked and has a good texture too.
- Serve these naked chicken wings immediately. These are meant to be consumed hot and fresh.
- To get an extra crunchy texture on the outside, add a bit of baking soda to the spice mix you’re using.
Storage Instructions
Refrigeration: You can refrigerate your leftover chicken wings for up to 3 days. Use an airtight container to keep it fresh, and get it out for a few minutes before you reheat and serve.
Reheating: Reheating your leftover naked chicken wings is super easy! Just pop them in a preheated Air Fryer and cook for a few minutes. You can, of course, use the microwave too if you want to- but it’ll most likely not retain that crunchy texture.
Serving Ideas & Suggestions
The best way to serve these Air Fryer naked chicken wings, in my opinion, is to team them up with some sauces and dips like a good homemade nacho cheese sauce or copycat KFC honey mustard sauce or even some Sheetz boom boom sauce.
To lend the wings a bit of herby deliciousness, pair them with some chimichurri sauce, and if you’re trying to keep it healthy, pair it with some Greek yogurt BBQ sauce.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken to make the naked chicken wings? I wouldn’t recommend doing that, as the chicken can get watery and soft inside the Air Fryer if you cook it directly from frozen. If you want to use frozen chicken, allow it to thaw completely first, pat it dry to remove all moisture, and then use it for the recipe.
How long does it take to cook chicken wings in the Air Fryer? It depends on the kind of Air Fryer you’re using, and the size of the wings. It usually takes anywhere between 18-20 minutes to cook the wings, so it makes sense to check the chicken at the 18 minute mark.
How will I know the chicken is cooked? Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken wings. If it reads 165 degrees, the chicken is cooked. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, check the texture of the chicken. If it looks golden brown and crunchy on the outside, it’s most certainly done.
Can I make naked chicken wings in the oven? You totally can! Simply arrange the wings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake the wings for 25-30 minutes in an oven preheated at 475 degrees.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- AIR FRYER CHICKEN WINGS WITH BUFFALO SAUCE
- AIR FRYER HONEY BBQ CHICKEN WINGS
- EASY AIR FRYER HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN WINGS
- AIR FRYER SALT & VINEGAR CHICKEN WINGS
- AIR FRYER, BUFFALO CHICKEN WINGS RECIPE
- EASY AIR FRYER BBQ CHICKEN WINGS
- AIR FRYER CHINESE SALT AND PEPPER CHICKEN WINGS
Don’t Forget To Pin!
Air Fryer Naked Chicken Wings
Description
Ingredients
Chicken Wings:
- 1 pound chicken wings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Naked Chicken Seasoning Rub:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon paprika, (if you do not like spicy, cut this by half)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Start with your wings already cut. If you want to cut them, otherwise leave them whole.
- Add the wings to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the olive oil and all of the ingredients from the seasoning rub.
- Mix well, coating all of the wings.
- Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F, air fryer setting. If you do not have a preheat setting, turn the air fryer on for 5 to 6 minutes at 360 degrees F, air fryer setting.
- Then add your wings, being careful not to crowd the basket.
- Air Fry for 18 to 20 minutes. Use a pair of tongs to flip the chicken wings halfway.
- Plate, serve, and enjoy!
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Notes
- Cool the Wings: Allow the cooked naked chicken wings to cool to room temperature for about 30 minutes after air frying.
- Refrigerate: Place the wings in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Ensure they are stored in a single layer or separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Label and Date: Label the container or bag with the date to keep track of freshness.
- Refrigeration Time: Store the wings in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the refrigerated chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Heat the wings for about 5-8 minutes, flipping them halfway through. This will help them regain their crispiness.
- Check for doneness and serve once they are hot and crispy.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Arrange the wings on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Heat in the oven for approximately 10-15 minutes, turning them over halfway through.
- Check for doneness, and once they are hot and crispy, they are ready to serve.
- Allow the cooked wings to cool completely to room temperature.
- Place them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, ensuring they are arranged in a single layer or separated with parchment paper.
- Remove as much air as possible from the container or bag to prevent freezer burn.
- Label and date the container or bag.
- Store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Nutrition
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Mary
I tried the nqke4d chicken wings YUM! Nice and crispy, and tender juicy meat. Very flavorful!
I’m a novic at the air fryer, but you made me look good with this easy peasy recipe. Thank you and I’m sure I’ll be back again and again.