Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Wings
“Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Wings that tastes grilled! Sweet, smokey, and spicey! These chicken wings are easy to make using simple ingredients and taste amazing even without BBQ sauce”
Visual learner? Watch me make these Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Wings from start to finish!
I told you guys that I was going to start playing around with my air fryer more so that I could have more recipes for you. I haven’t. Sorry.
Other than the basic chicken and fries, I haven’t been in much of an experimental mood with this device. It’s been pushed to the back of my small appliance cabinet right there beside the shaved ice maker — poor lil fella.
I felt sorry for him this week, so I pulled him out to make these Air Fryer honey BBQ chicken wings for dinner. And I kind of fell in love again. Oh, how I forgot just how nice it is to have crisp, fried tasting chicken without the oil splatter, questioning if it’s done or having the house smell like grease all week.
These Air Fryer Honey BBQ chicken wings are so good! Forget tasting fried these babies could pass for being grilled! With that liquid smoke, smoked paprika, and the way the sugar from the seasoning caramelizes…mercy! It’s smokey, spicy, sticky and sweet!!!
The homemade honey BBQ sauce is very basic but delicious! It’s comes together super quick and the time the wings are done so will the sauce! Now this sauce is pretty BOLD, so add a little bit of water and let it simmer a bit if it’s too bold for you. Also feel free to adjust the seasonings!
I’ve wanted honey BBQ wings for a while now. I was out of my favorite Stubbs and Sweet Baby Rays so this quick and easy honey barbecue sauce did the job!
The air fryer did not disappoint! The inside is so tender, flavorful and juicy and the outside is perfectly crisp! As with any saucy wing, the BBQ sauce will soften the skin a little so go lightly if you still want to keep that crispiness!
To Add Baking Powder To Air Fryer Wings Or Not?
If you’re a fan of test kitchen shows and sites you’ve probably seen the hack of adding baking powder to chicken skin to help dry out the skin and get it nice and crispy while cooking. If not, yeah that’s a thing. I usually never add baking powder but I’ve been giving it a go lately, and the jury is still out. I want to say it definitely makes a difference but I still need to do some more side by side taste testing. Since the air fryer is notorious for creating rubbery chicken skin if the chicken is not dried enough, a little baking powder surely couldn’t hurt right?!
Cooking Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer: What’s the correct temperature an cook time?
I usually cook my wings at 400 for 20 minutes, flipping halfway. But for the previous two times, I’ve made wings in the air fryer I’ve been going with 350 for about 15 minutes, flipping and then doing 400 for 7 minutes. I guess it depends on what you like. I like lots of crispiness. I’ve noticed that I usually cook a bit higher than the recommended heat suggestions on the Air Fryer. If this is your first time cooking wings in your air fryer, do a test wing to see how you like it and make a note of it.
Pair these Air Fyer BBQ chicken wings with some jasmine rice, roasted veggies, and cornbread for a quick and easy dinner! Yayy!
But in all seriousness, I’m for sure going to make more stuff in my air fryer. Matter of fact, Friday I’m heading to the Farmers Market for some fresh fruit, and I’m going to try some mini Air Fryer fruit pies! I’m excited about it, and if they turn out as good as I’m thinking, you’ll be the first to get that recipe!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Wings
Ingredients
HONEY BBQ SAUCE (Make this the day before if you can.)
- 1 cup ketchup *see note*
- 2 tablespoons pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey, could also use molasses
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup water
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- 2 lb. chicken wings
- 2 teaspoons baking powder, NOT baking soda
- 2 teaspoons salt, I use 1 teaspoon regular salt and 1 teaspoon smoked salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
Instructions
- In a pot, over medium heat add all of the sauce ingredients..
- Stir and bring to a light simmer.
- Reduce heat and simmer gently until sauce has thickened.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Turn heat to low while you make the chicken.
- Wash and dry chicken. Make sure that the chicken is completely dry. Set aside.
- In a bowl combine baking powder and spices.
- Sprinkle spices evenly over chicken, using your hands to really work in the spices.
- Mix in the liquid smoke.
- Add chicken to a grease air fryer basket. (Do not crowd, air needs to be able to circulate all around the chicken)
- Cook on 350 for 15 minutes.
- Flip chicken over and cook on 400 for 5-7 minutes or until wings are crisp.
- Remove from fryer basket.
- Immediately brush lightly with BBQ sauce.
- Serve.
Video
Notes
*The sauce is good the day you make it but it get even better the next day! Make the sauce a day ahead if you can.
Air Fryer cooking time will vary based on size of the wings (my wings were large)
Made them tonight, absolutely delicious.
My son & his girlfriend said that they were one of the best wins they had & they go a lot to Buffalo Wild Wings & J. Timoty’s Taverene “The best wing sauce in the nation!” according to Food Network.
After brushing them with BBQ sauce I put them in the oven for 8min 400 degrees.
Finally!!!! These wings came out so crispy and seasoned I didn’t even need the sauce. I usually hate wings with flour etc, (from Buffalo, we don’t do that) but these were perfect! Couldn’t even tell they were dusted with baking powder. Absolutely perfect!
I made these wings last night, I’m telling you. They waas REALLY GOOD. will try again and again.
What type of Air Fryer do you have?
Mmmmm…perfect for the holidays
This is absolutely one of my favorite recipes on your site, so simple! Pairs amazingly with the Southern Baked Mac & Cheese (Smoked Cheddar). Please add more air-fryer recipes!
With this recipe I absolutely love the bbq sauce, is their a way to place this back in the air fryer with the chicken coated in bbq sauce to glaze the wings ? Or would you add an extra ingredient prior? (Similar to a glaze on a spiral ham). Thanks in advance!