Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe (Easy, Delicious, And Healthy)

These crispy buffalo air fryer chicken wings are the ultimate game-day snack or easy weeknight dinner. They’re juicy on the inside, perfectly crispy on the outside, and tossed in a flavorful buffalo sauce that’s hard to resist. The best part? You don’t need to deep fry them or use tons of oil—just pop them in the air fryer and let it do all the work.

Whether you’re making them for a party, game night, or craving a healthier version of your favorite wings, these air fryer buffalo wings are quick, simple, and always a hit. Serve them with celery sticks and your favorite dipping sauce for a crowd-pleasing snack everyone will love.

While oven-baked chicken wings are a great alternative to deep frying, these air fryer chicken wings are even better—faster, crispier, and way less messy. Ready in under 30 minutes, these wings are perfect for a low-carb lifestyle, whether you’re following a keto, paleo, or gluten-free diet. With less than 1g net carbs per serving, they’re a guilt-free way to enjoy your favorite game day snack.

There’s no need for potato starch or flour—these wings crisp up beautifully all on their own in the air fryer. You can use fresh or frozen chicken wings, and I’ll show you exactly how to season them with simple spices and make the best homemade low-carb buffalo sauce.

Ever since I got my XL Air Fryer for Christmas (thanks, family!), I’ve been making these buffalo wings at least every other day. My mom’s had hers since summer, and she uses it daily—for everything from burgers and veggies to meat and even cakes. Seriously, the air fryer is a total game changer.

These air fryer buffalo chicken wings are perfect for game day parties, Super Bowl gatherings, or anytime you’re hosting family and friends. They’re also a great option for a quick and easy dinner on busy weeknights when you want something fast, flavorful, and satisfying.

Spicy, crispy, and loaded with flavor, these wings come together in under 30 minutes. Whether you’re serving them as a low-carb appetizer or part of a keto-friendly meal, they’re sure to be a hit every time!

Why You’re Going to Love These Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings

• Quick and Easy – These buffalo wings are ready in under 30 minutes with just a handful of simple ingredients, making them perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute snacks.
• Crispy Without Deep Frying – Thanks to the air fryer, you get super crispy skin and juicy meat—without using any flour, breadcrumbs, or excess oil.
• Low-Carb and Keto-Friendly – With less than 1g net carbs per serving, these air fryer wings are perfect for anyone following a keto, low-carb, or paleo lifestyle.
• Great for Meal Prep – Make a big batch and store leftovers for easy meals or snacks throughout the week. They reheat beautifully in the air fryer!
• Perfect for Game Day or Parties – These crispy wings are a total crowd-pleaser and a healthier alternative to traditional fried wings. Serve them at Super Bowl parties, potlucks, or casual family dinners.
• Customizable Heat Level – Adjust the level of spice to your liking. Use your favorite hot sauce, or swap in a mild buffalo sauce for a kid-friendly version.
• No Messy Cleanup – Forget about the greasy stovetop or oil splatters—cooking wings in the air fryer is cleaner, faster, and easier.
• Tastes Like Restaurant-Style Wings – These homemade buffalo wings are just as tasty (if not better!) than your favorite wing place—crispy, saucy, and finger-licking good.
• Made Without Flour or Starch – No need for potato starch or wheat flour—just clean, simple, wholesome ingredients that keep these wings gluten-free and grain-free.

Ingredients for Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings

You only need a few basic ingredients to make these extra crispy and flavorful chicken wings in the air fryer. No deep frying, no flour, no mess—just perfectly seasoned, golden brown wings in under 30 minutes!

• Chicken wings – Use whole wings and separate them into drumettes and flats, or buy pre-cut wings to save time. Removing the wing tips helps them cook more evenly and makes them easier to eat.
• Seasonings – We used salt, pepper, and garlic powder, but feel free to add your favorite seasonings, like smoked paprika or red pepper chili flakes.
• Baking powder – This is the game-changer! Using aluminum-free baking powder (not baking soda!) helps draw out moisture from the skin, which is key to getting that crispy, crackly texture without needing to fry. It’s totally optional, but highly recommended if you love that satisfying crunch.

For The Low Carb Buffalo Sauce 

• Hot Sauce – Use your favorite sugar-free hot sauce—check the label to make sure it doesn’t have added sugars or carbs. Frank’s RedHot is a popular keto-friendly option, but feel free to use what you love.
• Butter – Melted unsalted butter gives the sauce its creamy texture and rich flavor. It also helps tone down the heat and balances out the spice.
• Garlic Powder – Adds a warm, savory flavor that complements the tang of the hot sauce and enhances the overall taste of the wings.
• Paprika – Use regular or smoked paprika to bring a touch of earthiness and depth to your buffalo sauce. Smoked paprika adds an extra layer of flavor that works especially well with grilled or air-fried wings.
• Cayenne Pepper – Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra spicy kick. It adds both heat and a slightly fruity flavor—just enough to elevate your sauce without overwhelming it.
• Salt – Season to taste, especially if your hot sauce is low in sodium. A pinch of salt brings all the flavors together.

How To Make These Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Making crispy chicken wings in the air fryer is easier than you think—and you’ll get perfect results every time with this method. Here’s exactly how to do it:

1. Prep the Chicken Wings. Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, cut about 10 whole chicken wings into sections. Discard the wing tips and separate each into drumettes and wingettes (flats). You’ll end up with 20 wing pieces.
2. Season the Wings
3. Place the wings into a large mixing bowl and season with: Salt, Black Pepper and Garlic Powder.
4. Add the Secret Ingredient: Baking Powder. Here’s the trick to ultra-crispy skin: sprinkle the wings with aluminum-free baking powder (NOT baking soda). About 1 tbsp for 2 lbs of wings works great.
5. Massage the seasoning and baking powder into the wings with clean hands until they’re evenly coated.
6. Cook the Wings in the Air Fryer. Place the seasoned wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd them—this helps them crisp up evenly.
7. Cook at 340°F (170°C) for 13 minutes. Then, increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook for another 13 minutes, or until golden, crispy, and cooked through. You can flip them once halfway for extra even crispness, but it’s not required.
8. Make the Low Carb Buffalo Sauce. While the wings are cooking, prepare your buffalo sauce: ½ cup sugar-free hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot), 3 tbsp melted butter, ½ tsp paprika, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat), ½ tsp garlic powder. Mix until smooth and set aside.
9. Toss and Serve. Once the wings are done, add them to a large clean bowl. Pour the buffalo sauce over the hot wings and toss until fully coated.
10. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, celery sticks, or a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Tips for Making the Best Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Want perfectly crispy, juicy wings every time? These simple tips will help you get that golden-brown crunch—without deep frying!

• Adjust Cooking Time for Larger Wings. Chicken wings vary in size, so if yours are on the larger side, add an extra 4–5 minutes of cooking time. Cook until the skin is crisp and the meat easily pulls away from the bone.
• Make sure that you are using BAKING POWDER, not BAKING SODA. We use baking powder to change the skin’s ph, making the wings very crispy. Here you can read the science (chemical reactions) behind using baking powder for crispy chicken wings.
• Pat the Wings Dry. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Use paper towels to thoroughly pat your wings dry before seasoning. This helps them crisp up better in the air fryer.
• Spray the Air Fryer Basket. Lightly coat your air fryer basket with cooking spray before adding the wings to keep them from sticking—and to make cleanup a breeze.
• Let the Wings Sit at Room Temp. Let your chicken wings rest at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before air frying. This helps them cook more evenly and speeds up the crisping process.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Basket. Give the wings space! Arrange them in a single layer with room around each piece so the hot air can circulate and crisp up the skin. Cook in batches if needed for the best results.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Wings

These crispy air fryer chicken wings are super versatile and pair perfectly with all your favorite low-carb side dishes. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer, party snack, or part of a game day spread, here are some delicious keto-friendly ideas to round out the meal:

• Celery Sticks – A classic pairing that adds crunch and freshness to balance the spicy wings.
• Keto Tortilla Chips – Great for scooping up extra sauce or enjoying as a crunchy side.
• Cucumber Slices – Cool and refreshing, cucumber is the perfect light side dish.
• Blue Cheese Dip – Creamy, tangy, and the best dipping sauce for buffalo wings!
• Sugar-Free Ketchup – Keep it low-carb while still enjoying bold flavor.

How to Store & Reheat Air Fryer Chicken Wings

• Fridge: Got leftovers? No problem! Store any extra wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They’re perfect for a quick lunch or snack the next day.
• Freezer: These keto chicken wings are also freezer-friendly. Let them cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 2 months. Be sure to label with the date so you remember when you made them!

To Reheat: For best results, let the wings thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes until hot and crispy again. You can also warm them in the oven at 375°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe (Easy, Delicious, And Healthy)

5 from 2 votes

---

Prep time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Yelds 4 servings

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Description

 

These crispy buffalo air fryer chicken wings are the ultimate game-day snack or easy weeknight dinner. They're juicy on the inside, perfectly crispy on the outside, and tossed in a flavorful buffalo sauce that’s hard to resist. The best part? You don’t need to deep fry them or use tons of oil—just pop them in the air fryer and let it do all the work.

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 lb Chicken wings about 20 wings
• Seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste
• 1/4 tsp Baking powder

Buffalo Sauce

• 1/4 cup hot sauce
• 1/4 cup butter melted
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

 

• Prepare the Chicken Wings. Using a sharp knife, cut about 10 whole chicken wings into drumettes and flats, discarding the wing tips. You should end up with 20 wing pieces.

  Pat them dry thoroughly using kitchen paper towels—this step is key to getting that crispy skin.
• Season the Wings. Place the wings in a medium bowl and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Sprinkle in baking powder (NOT baking soda) and use your hands to gently massage the seasoning into the skin.

  This helps dry out the skin and makes the wings extra crispy in the air fryer.
• Air Fry to Perfection. Place the wings into a single layer in the basket and insert it into the Air Fryer. Set the air fryer to 340F / 170C and cook for 13 minutes.
• When the time is up, increase the temperature to 400F and cook for another 13 minutes.
• While the wings are cooking, make the buffalo sauce. In a bowl, combine the hot sauce, melted butter, paprika, cayenne powder, garlic powder. Set aside.
• Once the wings are cooked, toss them in the buffalo sauce until well coated. Serve hot with ranch dressing, blue cheese dip, celery sticks, or cucumber slices for the full game-day experience!

OVEN BAKED CHICKEN WINGS INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat the Oven. Preheat your oven to 450°F (225°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top.
• Season the Wings. Just like with the air fryer method, season the wings with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and baking powder. Toss until all pieces are well coated.
• Bake. Arrange the wings in a single layer on the wire rack.Bake for 50–60 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the skin is crispy and golden.
• Toss with Sauce & Serve. Once baked, coat the wings in your prepared buffalo sauce and serve hot with your favorite low-carb dips and veggies on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving.

Calories

356kcal

Total Carbs

1g

Net Carbs

Protein

21g

Fat

30g

Fiber

0.1g

Sugar

0.2g

How do we calculate the nutrition info?

These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.

Course Lunch

Cuisine American

Keyword chicken wings, keto, low carb, paleo

Tried this recipe?Mention @MyketoPlate_ or tag #MyKetoPlate!