Last Updated on March 23, 2024 by MOe
Making crispy and juicy ninja air fryer chicken wings at home is easy with the right appliance and technique.
The Ninja Air Fryer is one of the most popular models for air frying chicken wings to perfection. This versatile countertop appliance uses rapid hot air to cook food quickly with 75% less fat than traditional frying.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to make the best air fryer chicken wings in your Ninja.
Why Choose the Ninja Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Ninja air fryers come in a range of sizes from 3.5 quarts up to 8 quarts or more. The medium 5.5 quart or larger size works well for cooking wings. Key features that make Ninja air fryers ideal for chicken wings include:
– Large cooking capacity – You can cook up to 3 pounds of wings at once in most mid-size models. The flat wide basket gives wings room to cook evenly.
– Rapid hot air circulation – The high-velocity heated air quickly crisps up the outside of wings for a crunchy coating.
– Wide temperature range – With temperature settings up to 400°F, you can get wings as crispy as you want.
– Timer and digital display – Simply program the cook time, and the auto-shutoff timer gives you hands-free cooking.
– Dishwasher-safe parts – The nonstick basket and crisper plate go right in the dishwasher for easy cleanup after cooking wings.
With the Ninja Air Fryer’s super hot air and wide basket, you can cook wings to tender, moist perfection in record time.
Preparing Wings for the Air Fryer
Get your wings ready for the air fryer with these simple steps:
Ingredients
– Chicken wings – drums, flats, or both
– Oil – for tossing wings
– Seasonings – salt, pepper, spices
Instructions
1. Pat wings dry. Make sure the wings are patted down with paper towels until very dry on the outside. This helps promote browning and crisping.
2. Coat with oil. Toss wings in a bowl with just enough oil to lightly coat each wing. You only need about 1 to 2 teaspoons oil for 2 pounds wings.
3. Season wings. Sprinkle desired seasonings over the oiled wings. Toss again to evenly distribute seasonings. Apply more or less to taste.
4. Arrange wings in air fryer basket. Place wings in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. Overcrowding will prevent even cooking.
5. Insert fryer basket. Slide basket back into the Ninja Air Fryer to start cooking.
Proper preparation is key for crispy air fried wings with juicy meat inside.
Best Practices for Air Frying Wings
Follow these simple tips and tricks for the very best air fryer chicken wings every time:
– Preheat the air fryer fully – Allow 5 minutes for the Ninja to preheat to the desired temp before adding wings.
– Use skin-on wings – The skin gets ultra crispy and seals in moisture. Go for drumettes, flats, or full wings.
– Toss wings in oil – A small amount of oil promotes even browning.
– Season generously – Savory dry rubs or wet marinades add lots of flavor.
– Cook at 400°F – This high temp crisps the skin beautifully.
– Flip wings halfway – Flipping the wings midway ensures even cooking.
– Cook in a single layer – Avoid overcrowding for proper air circulation.
– Brush with sauce at the end – Toss cooked wings in sauce to prevent burning.
– Let rest before serving – A 5 minute rest lets moisture redistribute for juicy meat.
– Toss with extra seasoning – Add any final seasoning blend after cooking when wings are hot.
Following these simple tips will take your air fried chicken wings to new heights!
Step-by-Step Cooking Directions
Here is a simple start to finish recipe to make juicy, crispy air fryer chicken wings:
Ingredients:
– 2 pounds chicken wings, patted dry
– 1 Tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
– 1 tsp salt
– 1/2 tsp black pepper
– 1/4 tsp garlic powder
– Sauce for serving (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
2. Toss chicken wings with oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder in a bowl until evenly coated.
3. Arrange wings in air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding.
4. Cook wings for 12 minutes, flip wings, then cook for another 10 minutes.
5. Check that wings are browned, crispy and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
6. Toss cooked wings in your favorite sauce (if using).
7. Let wings rest for 5 minutes before serving.
8. Garnish wings with extra seasoning, herbs or sesame seeds. Enjoy!
In just 20-25 minutes, you can have perfectly cooked crispy, saucy chicken wings from your Ninja Air Fryer! Adjust cook times as needed for extra crispy wings.
Handy Tips for Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Take your air fried wings to the next level with these helpful tips:
– Use baking powder for extra crispy skin – Toss wings with 1/2 tsp baking powder before oiling and seasoning.
– Make crispy baked wings – Skip the oil for dry seasoned wings. Cook at 380°F for 25-30 mins, flipping halfway.
– Cut slits to cook faster – Crisscross slits on the underside of drumettes speeds cook time.
-Elevate on a rack – Placing wings on a rack or in a metal bowl improves air flow for crispier skin.
– Brush wings with sauce at the end – Coat cooked wings in sticky sauce last to avoid burning.
– Toss in melted butter – For restaurant-style wings, toss cooked wings in melted butter with herbs.
– Change up the flavors – Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, jerk dry rub – get creative with spices!
– Make a ranch crema dip – Blend ranch dressing, sour cream and shredded parmesan for an easy dip.
– Serve wings with celery and dip – Balance crispy spicy wings with cool, crunchy veggie sticks.
– Keep warm in oven – If not serving immediately, hold cooked wings in a warm oven until ready to eat.
With the right techniques, flavor combinations and serve-with sides, your countertop air fryer will deliver the crispiest, sauciest wings ever.
Favorite Air Fryer Chicken Wing Recipes
The air fryer lets you quickly cook wings to perfection. Here are some top-rated recipes to try:
Simple Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
For easy classic wings, coat with salt, pepper and baking powder then air fry at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until browned and sizzling. Toss with your favorite wing sauce.
Lemon Pepper Air Fryer Wings
Wings tossed in lemon pepper seasoning have a zesty citrus flavor. Fry at 380°F for 15 minutes then toss with lemon juice.
Honey Sriracha Air Fryer Wings
These sweet and spicy wings are coated in a mouthwatering honey sriracha sauce. Fry at 400° then coat in sauce last 2 minutes.
Jerk Dry Rub Air Fryer Wings
Caribbean flavors shine in this dry jerk spice rub on wings. Grill 15 minutes then air fry at 400°F until done.
Garlic Parmesan Wings
Crisp up plain wings in your Ninja then toss while hot in melted butter with garlic, Parmesan and herbs.
Teriyaki Air Fryer Wings
Marinate wings in a sweet and salty teriyaki sauce then cook until sticky and caramelized.
Nashville Hot Wings
Fry wings coated in cayenne and brown sugar then toss in creamy spicy Nashville hot sauce for heat.
The possibilities are endless for making your favorite flavors of wings in the air fryer. Let your imagination run wild!
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Wings
Chicken wings straight from the air fryer are finger-licking good. Here are creative ways to serve them up:
– Offer two or more flavor options – Let guests choose their preferred sauce.
– Pair wings with dipping sauces – Ranch, blue cheese, barbecue sauce, honey mustard dip.
– Make wings a game day appetizer – They are perfect for big crowds.
– Pile wings on a platter with garnishes – Fresh herbs, sesame seeds, shredded cheese.
– Serve wings with fresh veggie sticks – Crisp celery and carrot sticks complement rich saucy wings.
– Add a cooling side like coleslaw – Creamy tangy coleslaw balances sticky sweet wings.
– Offer wet wipes and napkins – Wings can get saucy and messy fast. Provide plenty for easy cleanup.
– Use frilly toothpicks when saucing – These make it easy to grab sticky sauced wings.
Take your wings to the next level by pairing them with the perfect dips, sides and serving accessories for a fun finger food feast.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Wings
The air fryer cooks up more wings than you can eat in one sitting. Here are tips for savoring every last bite:
– Let wings cool completely before storing. Transfer to an airtight container once cooled.
– Wings keep well refrigerated for 3-4 days. Sauce wings after reheating if desired.
– Reheat wings in the air fryer at 350°F for 4-5 minutes until hot. The skin will recrisp beautifully.
– Microwave wings for 60-90 seconds to reheat gently without drying them out.
– Stir fry leftover wings with veggies and sauce for a delicious next day fried rice.
– Simmer wings in a sauce or gravy to make them fall-off-the-bone tender once again.
– Chop wings up to add to soups, salads, pasta and nachos.
With proper storage and reheating, you can enjoy your crispy air fried wings again and again later in the week.
Is an Air Fryer Worth it for Chicken Wings?
Air frying makes it so easy to cook wings at home with huge benefits:
Speed
Wings cook twice as fast compared to oven baking. The super hot air fries them up in just 20-25 minutes.
Convenience
Simply toss wings in seasoning, set the timer, and walk away. The air fryer does the work for you.
Less Fat
Air frying uses little to no oil for wings that are crispy not greasy. Much healthier than deep frying.
Crispy Skin
The high heat air flow browns and crisps the skin beautifully without drying out the meat.
Moist Meat
The rapid cooking locks in juicy moisture inside the wings for tender, flavorful meat.
Easy Cleanup
With minimal oil, cleanup is as simple as removing the basket and tossing it in the dishwasher.
Versatility
The air fryer lets you easily try lots of flavors from jerk to garlic Parmesan without the mess.
For fast, convenient and healthy chicken wings with crispy skin and juicy meat, an air fryer like the Ninja is absolutely worth the investment.
Mastering Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Crispy juicy air fryer chicken wings are irresistible. With the right Ninja air fryer model and by following these expert tips, you can achieve restaurant-quality wings at home any night of the week:
– Use a mid-size 5.5 qt or larger air fryer
– Pat wings very dry before seasoning
– Lightly coat wings in just 1-2 tsp oil
– Generously season wings with spice rubs or herb blends
– Cook at a high temp, near 400°F
– Fry wings in a single layer with space between
– Flip wings halfway during cooking
– Check internal temp reaches 165°F
– Toss cooked wings in sticky sauces at the end
– Let wings rest 5 minutes before serving
– Reheat leftovers in air fryer at 350°F for 4-5 minutes
Now you’re ready to become the air fryer chicken wing master making the most insanely crispy juicy wings for family and friends.
The possibilities are endless!