Air fryers have revolutionized home cooking, delivering crispy, golden wings without the mess of deep frying. For wing enthusiasts, the right air fryer can make all the difference—producing restaurant-quality results with minimal oil and effort. This guide compiles insights from expert tests and reviews to highlight the best air fryers for wings, complete with a buying guide, top product recommendations, and answers to common questions.
Why Air Fryers Excel for Wings
Air fryers use powerful fans to circulate hot air, mimicking the crispiness of deep frying while using significantly less oil. This makes them ideal for wings, which benefit from even cooking to achieve a crunchy exterior and juicy interior. The best models offer spacious baskets, precise temperature controls, and intuitive designs to ensure consistent results, whether you’re cooking fresh or frozen wings.
Buying Guide: Choosing the Best Air Fryer for Wings
When selecting an air fryer for wings, consider the following factors to ensure it meets your needs:
- Capacity: Wings need space to cook evenly without overcrowding. A 4- to 6-quart basket is ideal for small to medium batches (2-4 servings), while larger families may prefer 8- to 10-quart dual-basket models. Ensure the basket is wide and square for better air circulation, as round or small baskets can lead to uneven cooking.
- Temperature Control: Precise temperature settings (ideally in 5-degree increments) allow you to fine-tune cooking for perfect crispiness. Most wings cook best at 380-400°F, so ensure the fryer reaches these temperatures quickly and maintains them consistently.
- Ease of Use: Look for intuitive controls, such as digital touchscreens or responsive knobs. Presets for wings or frozen foods can simplify cooking, while a shake reminder ensures even crisping. A clear manual and dishwasher-safe parts add convenience.
- Basket Design: A nonstick, square basket with a secure, removable tray prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy. Models with viewing windows let you monitor progress without opening the basket, preserving heat.
- Additional Features: Dual-basket models allow simultaneous cooking of wings and sides, while extras like dehydrate or roast functions add versatility. However, prioritize air frying performance over gimmicky features.
- Size and Storage: Ensure the air fryer fits your counter space. Compact models are great for small kitchens, but larger units offer more cooking capacity. Check weight if you plan to store it between uses.
- Price: Quality air fryers range from $50 to $250. Budget models can perform well, but mid-range options ($100-$150) often balance performance and durability. Avoid models under $40, as they may cook unevenly or lack longevity.
For more tips on air fryer shopping, check out Consumer Reports’ Air Fryer Buying Guide.
Top Air Fryers for Wings
Best Overall: Ninja Max XL Air Fryer (5.5-Quart)
The Ninja Max XL remains our best overall air fryer for making the crispiest food in the shortest amount of time and being easy to use. It consistently makes the crispiest and most golden chicken wings we’ve come across, which are juicy and not dry, in the shortest amount of time. It also scored the highest marks across the board for ease of use, thanks to its intuitive, easy-to-read buttons and clear and useful owner’s manual. During our tests, the air fryer basket slid in and out easily, which made handling a breeze. We’re fans of the basket’s slick, ceramic nonstick interior that has held up over time, and we like that the removable tray fits snugly and securely in the bottom of the basket — you don’t have to worry about it falling out when you turn the food out onto a plate. Both the basket and tray are dishwasher safe and easy to clean, even if you choose to hand wash.
Pros:
- Crisps wings in under 20 minutes with juicy results
- Intuitive digital controls and clear manual
- Nonstick ceramic basket and tray, dishwasher-safe
- Compact for a 5.5-quart model, fits most kitchens
Cons:
- No viewing window to monitor cooking
- Single basket limits simultaneous cooking of sides
Purchase at: Amazon
Best for Large Batches: Ninja Foodi DZ550 (10-Quart)
The Ninja Foodi DZ550 is the best air fryer we’ve tested. While it’s a family-sized air fryer, its larger capacity is useful even if you usually cook for only a few people. It makes great-quality air-fried food, producing evenly crispy, golden-brown air-fried foods like chicken wings, vegetables, or French fries, partly because you have plenty of room in the basket to arrange your food in a single layer. This was one of the few dual-basket air fryers that produced crispy wings when we cooked them solo in either basket or all at once in both. There is also a handy match cook setting if you’re doing one huge heap of wings in both baskets.
Pros:
- Dual 5-quart baskets for large wing batches or sides
- Consistent crisping in single or dual-basket use
- Sync and match cook features for coordinated meals
- Large, square baskets enhance air circulation
Cons:
- Bulky footprint requires ample counter space
- Slightly complex controls for first-time users
Purchase at: Amazon
Best Compact: Dreo Aircrisp Pro Air Fryer (4-Quart)
The Dreo Aircrisp Pro Air Fryer is the best compact air fryer we tested, making it perfect for single servings of wings and fries. No matter the test, the Dreo Aircrisp Pro Air Fryer was among the best in quality and speed. The fries and wings were evenly cooked and perfectly crispy. Lights illuminate the buttons for time and temperature adjustments. However, the presets are confusing as they rely on ambiguous symbols, like an orange representing the dehydration mode. Still, we were happy to see a dehydration function since most air fryers don’t have one.
Pros:
- Excellent crisping for small wing batches
- Compact design ideal for small kitchens
- Fast cooking with illuminated controls
- Includes dehydration function
Cons:
- Confusing preset symbols
- Limited capacity for larger gatherings
Purchase at: Amazon
Best with Viewing Window: Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook (6-Quart)
The Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer has impressed us time and time again as the best air fryer with crispy results and a user-friendly interface. In our tests, chicken wings came out crispy, golden and juicy in just 20 minutes, and frozen fries were moist but crisp and evenly cooked without the need for shaking midway. This 6-quart ClearCook model has a preheat function built in, which isn’t too common in air fryers. It takes about 3–5 minutes to reach 400˚F and chirps when it’s at the right temperature. It does not require you to press Start again after it preheats, which is helpful if you want to add your food from the beginning and walk away. It also alerts you halfway through cooking, should you want to shake or turn the food. The digital control panel is highly responsive, and the knob makes it easy to program the temperature and time quickly.
Pros:
- Viewing window to monitor wing progress
- Crispy wings in 20 minutes with no shaking
- Responsive digital controls with preheat function
- Spacious 6-quart basket for medium batches
Cons:
- Slightly noisier than some competitors
- Knob may feel less precise for some users
Purchase at: Amazon
Best Budget: Beautiful 6-Quart Touchscreen Air Fryer by Drew Barrymore
We wholeheartedly recommend the Beautiful 6 Quart Touchscreen Air Fryer by Drew Barrymore as the best budget air fryer. It might be one of the cheapest air fryers we tested, but it delivered a top-notch performance. The controls are intuitive. First, you press the power button, which illuminates the presets. Once you select a preset, you can adjust the time and temp, and the flashing start button begins the cook. The unit is attractive and comes in 10 colors: white icing, cornflower blue, black sesame, and more. Wings came out of the Beautiful air fryer juicy and evenly cooked. The $59 Beautiful air fryer was one of only two units to cook hand-cut fries in 15 minutes, and the results were evenly cooked and delicious.
Pros:
- Affordable with premium performance
- Juicy, evenly cooked wings
- Stylish design with multiple color options
- Intuitive touchscreen controls
Cons:
- No viewing window
- Limited to basic air frying functions
Purchase at: Amazon
Tips for Cooking Perfect Wings in an Air Fryer
To achieve restaurant-quality wings, follow these expert tips:
- Don’t Overcrowd: Arrange wings in a single layer with space between them for optimal air circulation. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Light Oil Spray: Lightly spray wings with vegetable oil before cooking to enhance crispiness and prevent burning. Avoid excess oil, which can make wings soggy.
- Shake or Flip: Shake the basket or flip wings halfway through cooking to ensure even crisping, unless your model has dual heating elements.
- Check Temperature: Wings should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
Experiment with Seasonings: Toss wings in dry rubs or sauces after cooking to maintain crispiness. Try recipes from Food Network’s Air Fryer Wing Recipes.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Air fryers are easier to clean than deep fryers, but proper maintenance extends their lifespan. Remove the basket and tray after each use and wash with warm, soapy water. For stubborn grease, soak in a baking soda paste, then wipe clean. Avoid submerging the main unit in water; use a damp microfiber cloth for the exterior. Silicone liners or parchment paper can simplify cleanup but may reduce crispiness by limiting airflow. For detailed cleaning advice, see Bon Appétit’s Air Fryer Cleaning Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to cook wings in an air fryer?
A: Most air fryers cook fresh wings in 18-25 minutes at 380-400°F, depending on size and model. Frozen wings may take 25-30 minutes. Always check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Q: Can I cook frozen wings directly in an air fryer?
A: Yes, air fryers excel at cooking frozen wings. No thawing is needed—just add 5-10 minutes to the cooking time and shake the basket halfway through for even crisping.
Q: Do I need to preheat my air fryer for wings?
A: Preheating (3-5 minutes at 400°F) is recommended for the best results, as it ensures immediate high heat for crispiness. Some models, like the Instant Vortex Plus, have built-in preheat functions.
Q: How much oil should I use for wings?
A: A light spray of vegetable oil (1-2 teaspoons per pound of wings) is sufficient. Many frozen wings require no oil due to their natural fat content. Too much oil can lead to soggy results.
Q: Can I cook sides like fries with wings in a dual-basket air fryer?
A: Yes, dual-basket models like the Ninja Foodi DZ550 allow you to cook wings and sides simultaneously at different temperatures, with sync features to finish cooking at the same time.
Conclusion
The best air fryer for wings combines ample capacity, precise controls, and efficient air circulation to deliver crispy, juicy results every time. The Ninja Max XL stands out for its speed and ease of use, while the Ninja Foodi DZ550 excels for large gatherings. Compact kitchens will appreciate the Dreo Aircrisp Pro, and budget-conscious buyers can rely on the Beautiful 6-Quart by Drew Barrymore. By choosing a model that fits your space and cooking needs, you’ll elevate your wing game with minimal effort. For more air fryer recipes and inspiration, explore Serious Eats’ Air Fryer Recipes.