This post might have affiliate links. For full details please see my disclosure policy.

Sticky, savory, and sweet, these air fryer BBQ chicken wings are super easy to make for parties, holidays, and game day. I love serving them with blue cheese dressing, but they’re also incredible with a side of ranch. And they’re extra crispy thanks to a secret ingredient (hint: it’s baking powder).

A grey plate of air fryer BBQ chicken wings on a white tiled counter next to an orange linen, glasses of beer, and white bowls of BBQ sauce, carrots, and celery.

Just a few highlights of my summer so far: have been to the lake 3 times already. Saw a bison irl. Went to a Chappell Roan party at a bar called Chapel. Discovered brownie and pine nut ice cream (!). Picked Oregon blueberries. Drank Oregon Pinot Noir. Saved a lady bug on the beach. And, I learned how to make BBQ wings that don’t suck.

Ok, it’s not that BBQ wings suck, it’s just that BBQ sauce makes things slippery and well… Eating wings is already enough of a struggle. But, after my garlic butter chicken wings absolutely popped off this last football season, I decided to give it the old college try.

For nice & crispy wings, we’re using the same baking powder trick that I originally learned when I was in culinary school. (Seriously, don’t even bother making baked wings without it.) Also, I decided to bring in my air fryer for this particular recipe. Mostly because I didn’t want to turn on my oven in the middle of summer but also because it’s super quick and easy! And, as it turns out, the air fryer is key for wings that are flavorful and crispy, sticky and grip-able. They are SO GOOD.

Make this recipe for a party along with other summer appetizers like cheesy sausage jalapeño poppers or no-cook boat dip. And let me know what wings you want to see next! xx.

Party wings

Brown bowls of chicken, dry rub, baking powder, and sauce on a tan counter next to a sprayer of avocado oil.

When I’m making wings at home, I find it so much easier to use chicken wings that are already cut into drums and flats. Sometimes these are called “party wings” or “chicken wing sections”. A lot of grocery stores have them ready to go in the meat aisle, but frozen (and defrosted!) will work too.

If you can’t find party wings, that’s totally fine. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to break down the whole wings before you make this recipe!

Air fryer directions

A white bowl of chicken, cornstarch, and seasonings on a white counter.
Combine the wings, BBQ dry rub, and cornstarch in a big bowl.
A white bowl of chicken wings tossed in seasoning on a white counter.
Toss the wings until they’re well-coated in the seasonings.
Wings in an air fryer on a white counter.
Cook the wings at 390°F (200°C) for about 10 minutes.
Cooked chicken wings in an air fryer on a white counter.
Flip the wings and air fry them for another 6-8 minutes.
A hand using tongs to toss chicken wings with BBQ sauce in a white bowl.
Toss the cooked wings with a bit of BBQ sauce.
A grey platter of air fryer BBQ chicken wings on a white tiled counter next to glasses of beer, an orange linen, and white bowls of BBQ sauce, celery, and carrots.
Lastly, air fry them for another 1-2 minutes until sticky. Enjoy!

If your air fryer is small like mine, you may need to work in batches! Just place the cooked wings on a wire rack and keep them warm at the lowest setting of your oven. Mine is 170°F (77°C).

Make them in the oven

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can totally make this recipe in the oven! All you need is a sheet pan and a wire rack.

A wire rack of raw chicken.
Place a wire rack on top of a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Then, arrange the wings in a single layer on the wire rack.
A wire rack with cooked chicken wings.
Bake the wings at 425°F (218°C) for 40-50 minutes, until crispy. Let them sit for 5 minutes before tossing them in BBQ sauce.

If you like the wings nice and sticky, broil them for 1-2 minutes per side after you toss them in the sauce. Just don’t broil them for too long or they’ll dry out!

Reheating tips

These wings reheat like a dream! Just heat them up in an air fryer at 390°F (200°C) for 4-5 minutes until they’re sticky and crispy.

A grey platter of air fryer BBQ chicken wings with a white bowl of ranch.

If you make this recipe, I would love it if you left a star rating and review! I read every single comment and love hearing what you think about my recipes. Thank you for supporting Sunday Table!

No ratings yet

The Best Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings

Yield: 16 chicken wings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Sticky, savory, and sweet, these air fryer BBQ chicken wings are super easy to make for parties, holidays, and game day. I love serving them with blue cheese dressing, but they're also incredible with a side of ranch. Bonus – you can also make them in the oven!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Leave a Review

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds party chicken wings (680 grams)
  • 2 teaspoons aluminum-free baking powder, NOT baking soda!
  • 2 Tablespoons everything BBQ rub or store-bought rub (20 grams)
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (150 milliliters)
  • Neutral oil, for greasing

Equipment

  • Air fryer

Instructions 

  • Dry the wings very well with paper towels. You want them to be as dry as possible! Then, place the wings in a large bowl. Add the baking powder and BBQ rub. Toss until the wings are well coated. Set aside.
  • Grease the basket of an air fryer with neutral oil or cooking spray. Then, place the wings skin-side up in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It's ok if they're touching a little on the edges, they will shrink as they cook!
  • Fry the wings at 390°F (200°C) for 10 minutes. Then, flip the wings and fry them for 6-8 more minutes until they're crispy on the outside and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
  • Toss the wings with the BBQ sauce until they are nice and saucy. Then, air fry them for another minute per side, until they are sticky and lightly charred in some spots. Enjoy!

Notes

If you can’t find party wings, that’s totally fine. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to break down the whole wings before you make this recipe!
The secret to crispy baked wings is baking powder. Make sure you’re using fresh, aluminum-free baking powder. Not baking soda! Otherwise, the wings will come out with a bitter, metallic aftertaste.
If your air fryer is small like mine, you may need to work in batches. Just place the cooked wings on a wire rack and keep them warm at the lowest setting of your oven. Mine is 170°F (77°C).
This recipe will make about 16 wings depending on the size.
Oven Directions: Place a wire rack on top of a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Grease the wire rack very well and arrange the wings in a single layer on the wire rack. Bake the wings at 425°F (218°C) for 40-50 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they’re super crispy. Let them sit for 5 minutes before tossing them in BBQ sauce. If you like the wings nice and sticky, broil them for 1-2 minutes per side after you toss them in the sauce. Just don’t broil them for too long or they’ll dry out!
Cuisine: American
Course: Appetizer
Author: Sara Lynn Hunt Broka
Serving: 1chicken wing, Calories: 68kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 18mg, Sodium: 162mg, Potassium: 60mg, Sugar: 3g, Calcium: 40mg, Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @sundaytable.co on Instagram!