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Chef Amber

The Best Honey BBQ Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Crispy & Sticky)

Crispy air fryer chicken wings coated in a sticky honey BBQ sauce with caramelized edges. Made with simple ingredients and ready in just 30 minutes.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 385
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Chicken Wings: 2 lbs (about 12-16 wings), separated into drumettes and flats, patted completely dry
  • Baking Powder: 1 tablespoon for extra crispy skin (not baking soda)
  • Salt: 1 teaspoon for seasoning the wings before cooking
  • Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon freshly ground for a subtle kick
  • BBQ Sauce: ½ cup of your favorite brand (smoky varieties work best)
  • Honey: ¼ cup for sweetness and sticky glaze
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: 1 tablespoon to balance the sweetness with tang
  • Garlic Powder: ½ teaspoon for depth
  • Smoked Paprika: ½ teaspoon for color and smoky flavor

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Wings. Pat the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels, removing as much surface moisture as possible. This is the most critical step for achieving crispy skin. In a large bowl, toss the dried wings with baking powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated. The baking powder raises the pH of the skin, allowing it to brown and crisp faster. Let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes while you preheat the air fryer.
  2. Step 2: First Air Fry Session. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 3 minutes. Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they're not touching or overlapping. Cook for 16 minutes, flipping them halfway through at the 8-minute mark. The wings should be golden brown and the skin should look dry and crispy. If your air fryer is small, work in batches rather than overcrowding, which creates steam and prevents crisping.
  3. Step 3: Make the Honey BBQ Sauce. While the wings are cooking, whisk together the BBQ sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and smoked paprika in a large bowl until smooth. The sauce should be thick but pourable. If it's too thick, add a teaspoon of water to thin it slightly. Taste and adjust the sweetness or tang to your preference by adding more honey or vinegar.
  4. Step 4: Coat and Final Cook. Once the wings finish their initial cook, immediately transfer them to the bowl with the honey BBQ sauce while they're still hot. Toss thoroughly until every wing is completely coated in the sticky glaze. Return the sauced wings to the air fryer basket, again in a single layer. Increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes. The sauce will bubble, caramelize, and develop those signature charred edges.
  5. Step 5: Rest and Serve. Remove the wings from the air fryer and let them rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly and makes them easier to handle. The wings will continue to crisp up as they cool. Serve immediately with extra sauce on the side for dipping, along with celery sticks and ranch or blue cheese dressing for the full wing experience.

Notes

Notes: Nutrition Facts (per serving): Carbs: 22g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 19g