Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings seasoned with dry rub and topped with barbecue sauce are delicious crispy wings that are better than deep fried. This easy air fryer chicken wing recipe is perfect for family dinner or a game day appetizer!
These crispy air fryer wings are super easy to make and so much healthier than the deep fried kind. Season them with a simple dry rub, cook them in the air fryer and brush with your favorite BBQ sauce. So good!
I've been having the best time testing new air fryer recipes! Honestly, though, I've probably made wings more often than anything because they are super easy and so good this way.
My family loves noshing on these crispy BBQ wings for a light dinner or a weekend snack. And game day? Oh, these savory barbecue wings make delicious game day appetizers!
If you love chicken wings, try our Air Fryer Garlic Herb Chicken Wings or Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings or Sticky Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Wings or Grilled Honey Lime Chipotle Wings.
Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients for this air fryer BBQ wings recipe. what you don't already have at home should be easy to find online or at your local grocery store.
- Chicken wings
- Brown sugar
- Sea salt
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Ground black pepper
- Baking powder
- Olive oil spray
- Barbecue sauce -- we like Sweet Baby Rays
How to Make BBQ Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer
First, you need make the dry rub. I use this same basic dry rub recipe whenever I make my Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs or just about any recipe with BBQ sauce.
Using a dry rub adds more flavor, and it helps make the skin crispy. I also add a pinch of baking powder to help make the wings even crispier.
Next, be sure to pat the wings dry with a paper towel. You want to get rid of as much moisture as possible.
Then, season the wings all over with the dry rub, and place them on the air fryer cooking racks or in the air fryer basket. Spritz wings with olive oil spray for extra crispy skin.
Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees, and add the chicken. I made these chicken wings in the Instant Vortex air fryer, and I placed one rack on the top and the other on the bottom.
If you're using a similar oven-style air fryer, switch the trays about halfway through the cooking time.
If you are using a basket-styler air fryer like the Ninja Foodi, shake the wings during the cooking time or do them in batches in a single layer for best results.
Cook Time
These air fryer wings were baked to a crispy goodness in just 25 minutes! As you can see, they've got a lot of meat on them.
If your wings are smaller, air fry the wings for 15 to 20 minutes. the cook time might be shorter.
You could even go for 30 minutes if your wings are large.
Forgot to thaw frozen chicken wings? No problem! Cook frozen chicken wings for 20 to 25 minutes or until internal temperature is 165 degrees f on a meat thermometer. If wings are precooked, air fry them for 10 to 15 minutes or until heated through.
All air fryers are different, and cooking time may vary with different brands and models.
Finish these crispy air fryer chicken wings off with a generous coat of your favorite BBQ sauce or homemade bbq sauce and watch them disappear!
Pro tip -- Definitely keep a stash of napkins handy -- BBQ wings are messy, but worth it!
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover BBQ air fryer wings in an airtight container or zip top bag. They will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Reheat leftover wings in the air fryer for best results. You can reheat in the microwave, although they won't be crispy. Or, enjoy them cold!
Variations
There are a few ways to customize these air fried crispy chicken wings to your liking.
Use your favorite sauce. Stick with your favorite barbecue sauce, or try a spicy barbecue sauce, Sriracha sauce, ranch dressing, blue cheese, or honey BBQ sauce.
Season wings however you like. Red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, chili powder, and onion powder go great in dry seasonings. If you want, ditch the bbq sauce completely and make some air fryer lemon pepper wings!
The great things about these super easy wings is that there are so many different flavors to choose from. The only thing you'll have a hard time doing is picking between all the different options!
Air Frying Tips
Be sure to pat wings dry before seasoning and don't skip the baking powder! This helps keep the skin extra crispy.
Spritz with olive oil spray for extra crispy skin.
Place wings in a single layer for best results. If using an oven style air fryer, switch trays half way through cooking time.
Slather on your favorite barbecue sauce after cooking the wings!
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Recipe
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- olive oil spray
- Barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Mix the spices and baking powder together in a small bowl
- Pat chicken wings dry with a paper towel
- Rub mixture over wings until well coated, and place wings on air fryer cooking racks
- Spritz wings with olive oil spray
- Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees, add wings to air fryer, and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, rotating trays about half way through cooking. Internal temperature should be at least 165 degrees according to meat thermometer
- Remove from air fryer, brush with your favorite BBQ sauce, and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.
Nutrition
Easy air fryer BBQ chicken wings are one of my favorite things to make for a quick meal. My kids say these are the best air fryer chicken wings they've tasted!
These crispy air frier chicken wings make a great appetizer and the perfect game day snack!
For more easy recipe ideas, classic appetizers, and new air fryer recipes, subscribe to the newsletter and follow me on social media!
Recipe published in 2019 and updated in 2022.
Louis says
Wow! So easy in the air fryer! Quite the hit for the holiday weekend!
Jordan says
These are the BEST wings I have ever had! I will be making them again and again. Thank you for this recipe. 10 out of 5 stars.
Dee says
So glad you liked the wings. Thanks for the wonderful review!
Risa says
These wings were undeniably some of the best we've had! My husband, who's a wing connoisseur, thought they were finger-licking, lip-smacking delicious! I seasoned the wings with everything except the olive oil and baking powder and let them marinade overnight. Instead of 1t of sea salt, I put 1/2 t of each: Lawry's, Tony Sachere's, and Old Bay. We ate half plain and half dipped in honey BBQ sauce. They were both DELCIOUS! We had them today, and my husband has already asked when we were going to have them again. QUICK! EASY! DELICIOUS! A recipe trifecta! THANKS!
Dee says
Thank you so much, Risa. I'm glad you liked the wings!
Risa says
Perfectly Delicious!
Nicole Petty says
Absolutely Delicious
Demeter says
This will be a sure hit at parties!!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
These are on my must-make list!
Melanie Bauer says
Looks so delish! This will quickly disappear on our table, so tasty and flavorful!
Dee says
Thanks! They go super fast here. 🙂
Sara Welch says
Loved how easy and flavorful these turned out! Perfect for any occasion!
Dee says
Thanks so much, Sara! Glad you like them!
Catalina says
These wings are so inviting! The perfect movie night dinner appetizer!
Dee says
I hadn't thought about movie night, but that would be perfect!
Stephanie says
These were so easy and the taste was phenomenal! Thanks!!
Dee says
Yay! So happy you liked them, Steph. Thanks!
Beth Pierce says
What an amazing recipe! So flavorful and easy; this has quickly become a new family favorite recipe in our home!
Dee says
I am sooo glad to hear this! Thanks so much, Beth!
James says
Another awesome Air Fryer recipe. Thanks Dee. Made two batches last night.
Dee says
So happy to hear this, James. Thanks!