Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings with Buffalo Sauce
Here’s an easy step-by-step guide for making Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings with no defrosting needed. Serve your crispy wings with homemade Buffalo Sauce for an easy appetizer or even as the main dish. This easy recipe is perfect for game day!
Here’s how to make crispy chicken wings from frozen without the greasy mess! Thanks to the air fryer, you don’t have to deep fry chicken wings to get a crispy exterior and a tender inside.
Not only does this make the whole process less messy and complicated it also makes it healthier. No oil is required for these Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings with homemade buffalo sauce.
I think you and your family will agree that these are the best chicken wings you’ve ever had.
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wing Recipe Benefits
- These Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings are a lightened-up version on the classic game day food without losing any of the texture or flavor. The hot air circulates the wings and the fat from the wings will break down and make the chicken crispy.
- You don’t even have to defrost them! Frozen air fryer chicken wings will take longer for the insides to cook which means they won’t overcook or dry out before the outside is crispy.
- They’re done in 35 minutes – with little to no mess. Deep frying in a Dutch oven is a really messy job but the air fryer is easy peasy. No spitting oil or grease to clean up, just the inside of the air fryer.
Ingredients
- Frozen chicken wings are all you need for crispy wings in the air fryer. It doesn’t get much easier than a one ingredient recipe!
- Butter and hot sauce are the two ingredients you need for homemade buffalo sauce. You can also use ghee for a paleo-friendly and lactose-free version.
- Hot sauce is essential for a homemade buffalo sauce. I used Frank’s hot sauce but you can use your favorite brand of cayenne sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.
Frozen Chicken Wings Recipe Steps
Step One
Place the chicken wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Step Two
Set the temperature to 400 degrees f for 30 minutes cooking time.
Toss the chicken wings every 10 minutes to ensure even cooking.
Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.
Step Three
While the wings cook, place the butter and hot sauce in a saucepan over low heat. Let it come to a simmer and stir occasionally. Turn off the heat and put the lid on.
Step Four
When the chicken wings are done cooking use tongs to transfer them to a serving plate.
Pour the buffalo sauce into a small bowl and serve alongside the chicken wings. Or, feel free to serve your hot wings with your favorite sauce.
I hope you agree that these delicious wings with crispy skin are amazing when cooked in an air fryer. For best results, serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy hot.
They’re the perfect appetizer for a game day party and are also a great way to make an easy dinner. Serve them with celery sticks or carrot sticks for a healthy meal.
Recipe Tips
- If you have an air fryer on the smaller size, you may need to cook one pound of frozen wings at a time to ensure that the wings do not overlap too much.
- To make sure the chicken wings are fully cooked inside, use an instant-read thermometer or meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature is at least 165°F before serving.
- You can serve the chicken wings with any sauce you like, including BBQ sauce, blue cheese dressing, teriyaki sauce, or ranch dressing (see my list of the best gluten-free sauces).
- You can also make this recipe using fresh or defrosted chicken wings. To cook fresh or defrosted chicken wings in the air fryer, set the temperature to 360°F for a total of 24 minutes cook time, tossing the wings at least once during the cooking process.
- Store any leftover chicken wings in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can toss them in your favorite seasonings before you fry them. Paprika, garlic salt, garlic powder, black pepper, or lemon pepper are all delicious seasonings for chicken wings. You can also use your favorite dry rub.
I don’t recommend this since the skin won’t be exposed to the hot air and therefore won’t crisp up like it should. For crispy wings do not stack, cook in batches instead.
More Air Fryer Recipes You Might Like
- Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders
- Best Air Fryer Hamburgers
- Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
- Air Fryer Turkey Burgers Without Breadcrumbs
- Air Fryer Spring Rolls
Or, check out my entire index of Gluten-Free Air Fryer recipes.
Don’t Miss These Air Fryer Resources!
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings with Buffalo Sauce
Here’s an easy step-by-step guide for making Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings with no defrosting needed. Serve your crispy wings with homemade Buffalo Sauce for an easy appetizer or even as the main dish. This easy recipe is perfect for game day!
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 2 pounds frozen chicken wings (about 12 pieces)
- 1/4 cup hot sauce, I used Frank’s Hot Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter or ghee (use vegan butter for dairy allergies)
Instructions
- Place the frozen chicken wings inside the basket of an air fryer. Try not to let the wings overlap too much.
- Set the temperature to 400°F for a total of 30 minutes, tossing the chicken wings in the basket every 10 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- While the chicken is cooking, place the hot sauce and butter or ghee in a small saucepan over low heat. Let the mixture come to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and put the lid on the pot. Let the pot sit until the chicken is done cooking.
- When the chicken wings are finished cooking, use tongs to transfer them to a serving plate. The skin on the wings should turn a dark golden brown and be crispy when they are done.
- Pour the buffalo sauce into a bowl and serve alongside the cooked chicken wings for dipping.
Notes
- If you have an air fryer on the smaller size, you may need to cook one pound of frozen wings at a time to ensure that the wings do not overlap too much.
- To make sure the chicken wings are fully cooked inside, use an instant-read thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature is at least 165°F before serving.
- You can serve the chicken wings with any sauce you like, including BBQ sauce or ranch dressing.
- You can also make this recipe using fresh or defrosted chicken wings. To cook fresh or defrosted chicken wings in the air fryer, set the temperature to 360°F for a total of 24 minutes, tossing the wings at least once during the cooking process.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Air fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 pieces, skin removed
- Calories: 161
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 531.3 mg
- Fat: 8.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 19.2 g
- Cholesterol: 64.9 mg
Don’t forget to join my newsletter list to get exclusive clean eating recipes and tips. The newsletter is 100% free with no spam; unsubscribe anytime.
About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with nearly 10 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.
Love this simple technique. So great for busy weeknights.