These salt and pepper chicken wings made in the air fryer are absolutely delicious! Using 5 ingredients plus a little bit of oil spray and these wings are some of the easiest and most delicious chicken wings you'll ever eat! Ready in under 1 hour they are perfect for game day parties, holiday appetizers, or an easy weeknight main dish.

I love deep-fried foods but they're something that I don't want to make in my own kitchen. Not only it is a time-consuming process but cleaning a deep fryer or oily messes can be annoying to deal with especially if you are in a hurry to make dinner.

That's why I love to use the air fryer, it's an easier and slightly healthier way to enjoy fried foods at home. It doesn't involve complex steps and the cleaning process is a breeze!

The convection oven system of the air fryer circulates hot air so we don't need to use that much oil in order to create a tasty and very crispy batch of chicken wings. This air fryer salt and pepper wings recipe is so easy and delicious that it might be your favorite chicken wings recipe!

Recipe ingredients

Chicken wings. You'll need 1lb of fresh or thawed chicken wings.

Egg white. Used to keep the wings juicy as they cook and helps the seasonings stick onto the wings better.

Salt and pepper. The main seasonings for these salt and pepper chicken wings. Freshly ground black pepper will have the best flavor.

Starch. Potato or cornstarch is used to get the chicken wings' skin extra crispy.

Oil spray. Olive or avocado oil works great because they have a high smoke point.

How to make salt and pepper air fryer wings

If your chicken wings are frozen you will need to defrost them. Thaw in the fridge overnight or on the counter for a few hours. Rinse with cold running water (clean the sink after) and pat dry with paper towels.

Mix egg white with salt and pepper in a medium size bowl. Add raw chicken wings in to the bowl. Stir them around and let chicken wings marinate in the mixture for about 30 minutes.

Pull wings out of the egg mixture and dredge them in starch. Shake off extra starch and place wings in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray wings with olive or avocado oil spray.

Cook at 400 degrees for 18 minutes. Shake the basket once or twice during cooking. If unsure, check the internal temperature, it should be at least at 165 degrees Fahrenheit for a fully cooked wings.

The secret to the best chicken wings

Cooking the wings in the air fryer. The air fryer is hands down one of the best ways to create crispy wings without a deep fryer. They cook very fast and there's no oily mess to clean up.

Dredge chicken wings in starch before cooking. This is the secret to making the best air fryer chicken wings. The starch helps to absorb any moisture from the chicken wings and creates the perfect crispy exterior.

Work in batches if necessary. If your air fryer is smaller than the Ninja Foodi or you are making a lot of wings for a crowd, cook in batches so everything has a chance of getting crispy. If they are stacked or overlapping too much the wings can steam instead of getting crispy.

Substitutions

Starch. Rice flour, all-purpose flour, tapioca flour/starch, or aluminum-free baking powder are great substitutes for cornstarch or potato starch in this recipe.

Egg whites. If you are egg free you can use buttermilk, heavy cream, or plain yogurt thinned out with a splash of water instead to help the seasoning stick to the chicken better.

Variations

If you don't have an air fryer, you can cook these salt and pepper wings in the oven. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit then line a sheet pan with aluminum foil. Arrange the wings on the sheet pan with a little bit of space between them. Bake for 30 - 40 minutes or until the wings are crispy. Turning the sheet pan halfway through the cooking process.

For a spicy version, add red crushed pepper flakes, or a dash of cayenne pepper to the wings with the other ingredients.

Switch up the seasonings. Make lemon pepper, or dry ranch wings instead!

Frequently asked questions

Side dishes

You can serve these air fryer salt pepper wings with so many sides!

1. Coleslaw: A tangy and creamy coleslaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a homemade dressing adds a refreshing crunch and is a classic pairing for chicken wings.
2. Air fried or Roasted Vegetables: Vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, or asparagus can be grilled or roasted to bring out their natural sweetness and add color to your plate.
3. Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes with roasted garlic make for a satisfying and comforting side dish.
4. Cucumber Salad: A cool and crisp cucumber salad with a light vinaigrette dressing adds freshness to your meal.
5. Macaroni and Cheese: A comforting and creamy macaroni and cheese can balance out the saltiness and spiciness of the chicken wings.
6. Steamed White or Brown Rice: A simple and classic choice, steamed rice provides a neutral base to soak up the flavors of the chicken wings.
7. Vegetable Stir-Fry: A colorful and healthy side dish, a vegetable stir-fry can include ingredients like bell peppers, snow peas, carrots, mushrooms, and broccoli, all tossed in a light soy or hoisin sauce.
8. Fried Rice: A popular Chinese dish, fried rice can be made with vegetables, eggs, and even some diced pineapple for a touch of sweetness.
9. Lo Mein or Chow Mein Noodles: These egg noodles can be stir-fried with vegetables and a savory sauce, providing a tasty and filling side dish.
10. Bok Choy with Garlic: This quick and healthy side dish features sautéed bok choy with garlic and a touch of soy sauce.

Storage instructions

To store air fryer salt and pepper wings you will need to:

1. Allow wings to cool completely to room temperature.
2. Place the wings in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag.
3. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat, use the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes (refrigerated) or 10-12 minutes (frozen) until heated through and crispy.

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Hope you will like this air fryer salt and pepper chicken wings as much as we do. Rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.