Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings

My air fryer BBQ chicken wings taste just as amazing as the BBQ wings I used to get from my favorite wing spot! I found the secret to getting the sauce to caramelize perfectly on the outside for the best wings ever.

My Favorite Way to Make BBQ Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer

My air fryer BBQ chicken wings started out as a complete hail Mary. My husband, Ben, had been planning to make BBQ wings on the grill for game day, but when he went outside to start the grill, he realized he was completely out of propane.

I decided to improvise and make them in the air fryer instead. Since it was such a last-minute idea, I had to make them as easy as possible, and with these just being 3 ingredients, I succeeded!

I just stuck the bbq chicken wings in the air fryer and let the appliance do its thing! With, of course, coating the BBQ sauce on them toward the end so it won’t burn.

For more chicken wing recipes, check out my air fryer chicken wings, air fryer chicken wings with dry rub, air fryer lemon pepper wings, air fryer boneless wings, and air fryer garlic parmesan wings!

Air Fryer BBQ Wings Ingredients

• Chicken wings – I separate the wings into drums and flats, discarding the tips, so the wings cook evenly.
• Stubbs BBQ rub – This rub adds layers of seasoning without needing a long ingredient list.
• BBQ sauce – This is my finishing touch to coat the wings in sweet and smoky flavor.

How to Make Air Fryer BBQ CHicken Wings

STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.

STEP TWO: Pat the chicken wings dry and coat the chicken wings evenly with the bbq rub. I love using Stubb’s BBQ Rub for the best flavor.

STEP THREE: Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving room between them.  

STEP FOUR: Cook them for 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time.

STEP FIVE: Turn the temperature to 400 degrees and cook the wings for another 3 to 5 minutes.

STEP SIX: Remove the wings from the air fryer and toss them in the BBQ sauce. If desired, return the wings to the air fryer for another 1 to 2 minutes to heat up the sauce. 

Recipe Tips

• I always pat the wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture so the skin crisps up better.
• Cooking the wings in a single layer helps hot air circulate evenly in the air fryer basket. I prefer to cook in batches rather than overcrowd the basket.
• I season the wings with dry rub before cooking so the smoky flavor can really develop in the air fryer.
• Turning the wings halfway through cooking keeps both sides evenly crisp.
• Letting the wings air fry before I add the sauce prevents the BBQ sauce from making them soggy.
• To check if the wings are done, I use an instant read thermometer and stick it in the biggest drum to make sure the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees F.

Variations and Substitutions

• If I don’t have any BBQ rub on hand, I’ll mix together paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to create my own seasoning blend.
• I sometimes like to use honey BBQ sauce to give the wings a sweeter flavor.
• When I want super crispy wings, I’ll spray them with cooking spray before the last 5 minutes of air frying, then serve the BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.
• To dial up the heat, I add a little cayenne pepper to the BBQ rub to give the wings a nice kick.
• I love mixing it up with the BBQ sauce I use at the end for different flavor variations. Smoky chipotle BBQ sauce is Ben’s favorite!

What to Serve with BBQ Wings in the Air Fryer

For classic game day food, I always serve my BBQ wings with plenty of BBQ sauce and blue cheese for dipping plus celery and carrots on the side.

If I want a few more snacks, I’ll whip up my air fryer quesadilla, air fryer onion rings, air fryer nachos, or air fryer potato skins to go with the wings!

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings FAQs

What is the best BBQ sauce to use?

I usually reach for a BBQ sauce like Stubb’s BBQ with a balance of sweetness and smoky flavor. A thicker sauce will cling to the wings better, and I sometimes like to mix two sauces together if I want a slightly different flavor profile.

How do I crisp wings in an air fryer?

I always pat my wings dry with a paper towel before seasoning to remove excess moisture. I also make sure to space them out in the air fryer so the hot air has plenty of room to circulate and dial the heat up to 400 degrees F for the last few minutes for extra crispiness!

Can I put BBQ sauce in an air fryer?

I avoid adding BBQ sauce at the beginning of cooking because it can burn quickly in the air fryer. Instead, I cook the wings first, toss them in the BBQ sauce, then air fry for 1-2 more minutes just to caramelize the sauce.

How to cook frozen BBQ chicken wings in the air fryer

If I’m starting with frozen chicken wings, I’ll preheat my air fryer to 400 degrees F and toss the frozen wings in the BBQ rub while it heats up. I place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, then cook for 30-35 minutes, flipping halfway through. Finally, I toss the wings in the sauce and air fry for 1-2 more minutes!

How do I store leftovers?

I let any leftover wings fully cool and then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They keep well for up to 3-4 days.

How to reheat chicken wings in the air fryer

The air fryer is my favorite way to reheat leftover chicken wings! I preheat to 350 degrees F, place the wings in the air fryer, and cook for 2-3 minutes until they’re warmed all the way through.

More Easy Air Fryer Appetizers

• Air fryer kielbasa
• Air fryer pigs in a blanket
• Air fryer popcorn
• Air fryer mozzarella sticks
• Air fryer taquitos

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