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Crispy Frozen Chicken Wings in Air Fryer (No Thaw, 25 Minutes!)

Crispy Frozen Chicken Wings in Air Fryer

5 from 5 votes
Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Description

The crispiest frozen chicken wings you'll ever make in your air fryer — no thawing, no deep fryer, no oven required. A simple two-stage method plus one secret ingredient (baking powder) delivers shatteringly crisp skin and juicy meat in just 25 minutes.

Ingredients 

  • 2 lbs frozen raw chicken wings, flats and drumettes
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp aluminum-free baking powder, NOT baking soda
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder, optional
  • ½ cup wing sauce of choice, optional, for tossing

Instructions

  • Defrost fry: Place frozen wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer (no oil, no seasoning). Cook at 400°F for 10 minutes. At the 5-minute mark, separate any wings that are stuck together.
  • Drain & dry: Pour off any liquid from the bottom of the basket. Transfer wings to a bowl and pat dry with paper towels.
  • Season: Toss wings with olive oil, baking powder, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until evenly coated.
  • Crisp fry: Return wings to the basket in a single layer. Cook at 400°F for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway, until skin is deep golden brown and internal temperature reads 165°F.
  • Sauce (optional): Toss hot wings with sauce. For a sticky glaze, return sauced wings to the air fryer for 2–3 minutes at 400°F.
  • Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese.

Equipment

Notes

For fully cooked frozen wings: Skip Steps 2–4. Air fry at 380°F for 12–14 minutes until internal temp reads 165°F.
For breaded frozen wings (Tyson, Foster Farms): Air fry at 400°F for 14–16 minutes — no oil or baking powder needed.
For fresh (not frozen) wings: Skip the defrost stage. Toss with oil, baking powder, and seasoning, then air fry at 400°F for 20–22 minutes, flipping halfway.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 316kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 24gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 3184mgPotassium: 283mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 185IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 2mg