Frozen Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer
Simple step-by-step instructions on how to make frozen chicken wings in the air fryer. Perfectly crispy wings tossed in your favorite sauce. Perfect for game day or an easy family dinner.
We have shared before how much we love to make chicken wings in the air fryer with fresh chicken wings and today we’re going to share how to get the same results with frozen chicken wings! That’s right, now you don’t even have to remember to defrost!
Whether you’re starting from scratch with raw frozen chicken wings or taking fully cooked frozen chicken wings out of the freezer we are going to tell you everything you need to know to get perfectly crispy wings every time!
If you’re like me forgetting to take something out of the freezer to thaw is a way of life. Make sure you check out our guide on how to boil frozen chicken as well!
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Can You Cook Frozen Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer?
Indeed, the ability to cook frozen chicken wings directly in an air fryer is one of its key benefits. The phrase “from freezer to air fryer” has become a staple in our kitchen. We don’t need to defrost or thaw the wings before cooking – toss them into your Ninja Foodi Air Fryer or Cosori Air Fryer from frozen and let the magic happen.
The hot air circulates around the frozen chicken wings creating a crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender. The result? Crispy, juicy wings without using any oil! This method offers time-saving convenience and a healthier way to enjoy your favorite chicken wing recipes.
It’s as if you have achieved restaurant-style crispiness at home, minus all those extra calories from deep frying!
Benefits of Cooking Frozen Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer
Cooking frozen chicken wings in the air fryer offers several benefits, including crispiness, time-saving convenience, and a healthier cooking option.
Crispiness
Air fryers excel at delivering the crispiness we all crave in chicken wings. By circulating hot air around the meat, the exterior develops a crunchy texture, similar to deep frying but without submerging them in oil.
The beauty of this kitchen gadget is its ability to achieve that perfect golden brown color and crispy skin while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
The secret to extra crispy chicken wings lies in two aspects: temperature setting and basket arrangement. We recommend cooking your frozen chicken wings at 400°F, a high enough heat level to ensure each wing becomes flawlessly crispy.
Besides controlling temperature, how you arrange your wings makes a difference too. Overcrowding can lead to unevenly cooked or soggy results – nobody wants that! So make sure there’s plenty of space between each piece for maximum airflow coverage and ultimate crispiness.
Time-saving
Using your air fryer to cook frozen chicken wings frees up more of your time. No need to defrost the wings – pop them right into the Cosori Air Fryer or Ninja Air Fryer straight from the freezer, and they’ll be ready in under 30 minutes.
With this quick and simple cooking method, you can enjoy crispy, tasty chicken wings without waiting around. Plus, cleanup is quicker with an air fryer than conventional cooking methods! A meal that saves time in both preparation and clean-up offers a win-win situation for busy cooks everywhere.
Healthier option
Choosing to cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer is a leap towards healthier eating habits. This method uses hot circulating air instead of wasteful amounts of oil, drastically cutting down on unnecessary fat and calories.
We lightly coat the wings with either olive or avocado oil before cooking, making them just as delicious but significantly more nutritious than their deep-fried counterparts. The result is appetizingly crispy skin enveloping tender, juicy meat – all achieved with less oil!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Frozen chicken wings – Start with 1 pound of raw chicken wings or fully cooked wings. We prefer raw chicken wings so we can add out own flavors!
- Dry rub seasonings – Salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika are combined into a dry rub to give the wings some flavor.
How to Cook Frozen Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer
Cooking Raw Frozen Wings
You can cook fully frozen raw chicken wings in the air fryer by following these steps:
Step 1 – Dry Rub. In a small bowl combine salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Stir together. Set aside.
Step 2 – Preheat. Preheat the air fryer for 400 degrees F.
Step 3 – Cook. Place frozen chicken wings in the air fryer. Cook at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes.
Step 4 – Season. Remove the air fryer basket and drain any excess liquid from the air fryer. Place the wings in a bowl and add olive oil and toss. Sprinkle with spices and toss.
Step 5 – Continue cooking. Add the wings back to the air fryer basket and cook at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes. Halfway through, remove the basket and use tongs to flip the chicken over and move it around so that what was on the bottom comes to the top.
When the wings are crisp use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the wings reaches at least 165°F (74°C).
Step 6 – More flavor. Remove from the air fryer and toss in your favorite wing sauce for added flavor.
Step 7 – Serve. Remove the wings from the basket of the air fryer and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Cooking Fully Cooked Frozen Wings
To cook fully cooked frozen wings in the air fryer, follow these simple steps:
Step 1 – Preheat. Preheat the air fryer for 400 degrees F.
Step 2 – Cook. Place the frozen wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook the wings for 8 – 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. Check the internal temperature of the wings with a meat thermometer to ensure they reach at least 165°F.
Step 3 – More flavor. If desired, brush the wings with your favorite sauce or seasoning before cooking for an additional 2 – 3 minutes to add extra flavor and crispness.
Step 4 – Serve. Remove the wings from the basket of the air fryer and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings
- Toss the air fryer frozen chicken wings with a homemade honey garlic sauce for a tangy and sweet flavor, homemade BBQ sauce with a smokey flavor, or spice things up with a simple buffalo sauce.
- Serve the wings plain without any sauce for those who prefer a more simple and classic taste.
- Accompany the wings with some celery sticks and carrot sticks on the side for added crunch and freshness.
- Offer a variety of dipping sauces such as blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, or barbecue sauce to complement the flavors of the wings.
- Serve the air fryer frozen chicken wings as an appetizer at parties or game nights, alongside other finger foods like taquitos or meatballs or make it a meal and serve it alongside a delicious mixed green salad.
Looking for More Game Day Air Fryer Recipes?
Frequently Asked Questions
Cooking frozen chicken wings in the air fryer is quick and easy. Simply set the air fryer to 400°F and cook the wings for 9-10 minutes to defrost them. After that, season them with your favorite spices and continue cooking for an additional 10-12 minutes until they are crispy and cooked through.
Remember not to overcrowd the basket for best results. In less than 25 minutes, you’ll have deliciously crispy chicken wings ready to enjoy!
Yes, chicken wings can be reheated in the air fryer. Leftover wings from a previous meal can easily be warmed up and made crispy again in just a few minutes. Simply place the wings in the air fryer basket and cook them for 2-3 minutes at around 400°F (200°C).
The hot air circulating in the fryer will quickly reheat the wings, making them just as delicious as when they were first cooked. It’s an easy way to enjoy your leftover wings without sacrificing their crispy texture!
Dry rub your raw or precooked chicken wings with dried spices before they go into the air fryer. Once the wings are cooked you can toss or dip them in your favorite wing sauce for added flavor.
Storing and Reheating Instructions
Storing your leftover chicken wings properly ensures they remain delicious when you’re ready to enjoy them later. Whether you’re popping them in the fridge for a short period or the freezer for longer storage, here’s how to do it right.
Storing in the Refrigerator
- Cooling Down: Before storing, always allow the wings to cool down to room temperature. This prevents excess moisture from building up, which can affect the texture.
- Packaging: Place the wings in an airtight container or zip-lock bag, removing as much air as possible. If you have any sauce, store it separately in a smaller container.
- Duration: When stored properly in the refrigerator, cooked chicken wings can last for up to 3-4 days.
Storing in the Freezer
- Cooling Down: As with refrigeration, let the wings cool completely before freezing them.
- Individual Freezing: To prevent the wings from sticking together, lay them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze them for about 1-2 hours, or until solid.
- Packaging: Transfer the individually frozen wings into an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label the bags with the date for easy tracking.
- Duration: Properly stored, cooked chicken wings can remain in the freezer for up to 4 months without a significant loss of flavor or texture.
Reheating Instructions
Whether from the fridge or the freezer, reheating fully cooked chicken wings can be done in a way that retains their deliciousness and crispness.
From the Refrigerator:
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place wings on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until heated through and crispy.
- Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook the wings for 10-15 minutes, turning halfway.
From the Freezer:
- Thawing: It’s best to thaw frozen wings in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Oven: After thawing, follow the same oven instructions as above.
- Air Fryer: If using an air fryer, after thawing, set it to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Microwave (Not recommended for crispness): If you’re short on time and don’t mind sacrificing a bit of crispiness, you can use the microwave. Place wings on a microwave-safe dish, and use the reheat setting for 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Note that they might turn out a bit soggy with this method.
Always ensure that the wings are heated thoroughly before consumption. A meat thermometer can be handy, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Enjoy your honey garlic chicken wings just as much the second time around!
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Frozen Chicken Wings in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 pound Frozen chicken wings
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- In a small bowl combine salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Stir together. Set aside.
- Place frozen chicken wings in the air fryer. Cook at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes.
- Remove the air fryer basket and drain any excess liquid from the air fryer. Place the wings in a bowl and add olive oil and toss. Sprinkle with spices and toss.
- Add the wings back to the air fryer basket and cook at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes. Halfway through remove the basket and use tongs to turn the chicken over and move it around so that what was on the bottom comes to the top.
- When the wings are crisp remove from the air fryer and toss in your favorite wing sauce or dry rub before serving.
Nutrition
