Crispy, sticky, and packed with bold BBQ flavors—these Air Fryer Spicy BBQ Chicken Wings are about to become your new favorite way to make wings at home!
There’s something about barbecue chicken wings that just hits different. The smoky, sweet, spicy flavors combined with that irresistible caramelized glaze make them the ultimate game-day snack or weekend indulgence. And the best part? These air fryer spicy bbq chicken wings give you that perfect crispiness without deep frying—all in under 25 minutes!
Slathered in a spicy, garlicky marinade and finished with a glossy BBQ glaze, these wings are the perfect mix of sweet, smoky, and spicy. Serve them with a side of your favorite dip, some crunchy celery sticks, and an ice-cold beer, and you’ve got yourself a winning plate!
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Air Fryer Spicy BBQ Chicken Wings Ingredients
This recipe keeps things simple but doesn’t skimp on flavor:
- Chicken Wings: Skin-on wings work best for maximum crispiness and flavor.
- Spices & Marinade: Garlic paste, red chili powder, cumin, vinegar, salt, and honey create a flavorful base.
- BBQ Sauce: The final brush of BBQ sauce caramelizes beautifully in the air fryer, giving you that perfect sticky, smoky finish.
- Oil: A little bit of oil ensures crispy, golden wings without deep frying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Yes! Freeze the uncooked marinated wings in a ziplock bag for up to 2 months. Thaw before air frying.
These wings take 14 minutes total—with a quick flip in between for even cooking.
Yes! Just baste the wings in the last few minutes so the sauce doesn’t burn.
The wings should be crispy, golden-brown, and have an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F).
Richa’s Top Tips
- Don’t Skip the Marinade: Let the wings sit in the marinade for at least 20 minutes for deeper flavor.
- Space Them Out: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket so the wings crisp up properly.
- Baste for Extra Flavor: Brushing on more BBQ sauce in the last few minutes helps create that sticky, caramelized finish.
- Want Extra Crispiness? Air fry at 200°C for the last 2-3 minutes for extra crunch!
Serving Ideas
These wings are bold and saucy, so keep the sides simple and satisfying:
Customization Ideas
This recipe is super adaptable depending on what you’re craving or what’s in your fridge:
- Adjust the spice level – Dial it down with paprika instead of chilli powder, or turn it up with hot sauce in the marinade.
- Swap the protein – Boneless chicken thighs or even tofu will work well with this marinade.
- Change up the glaze – Try a honey-mustard glaze or a Korean gochujang-style sauce instead of BBQ for a new twist.
- Herbs for freshness – Finish with chopped parsley or coriander if you want an herby note.
Storage Tips
- Fridge: Let any leftovers cool completely and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C for 5–6 minutes to bring back the crispiness.
- Freezer: You can freeze the uncooked, marinated wings for up to 2 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before air frying.
- Meal prep tip: Make a double batch of marinade and freeze it with the wings already coated for quick, fuss-free wing nights later!
🐔 Mini Trivia Bite
Did you know the chicken wing was once considered a “throwaway” cut? It wasn’t until the 1960s, in Buffalo, New York, that someone dunked them in hot sauce and changed snack history forever. And here we are, still obsessed.
Whether you’re making these spicy BBQ wings for game night, a weekend get-together, or just because you’re craving something crispy and saucy, they’re always a hit. Plus, the air fryer makes it all so much easier (and way less messy).
Try them out, and don’t forget to tag me @my_foodstory when you do—I’d love to see your wing night spreads! 🍗
Watch How to Make Air Fryer Spicy BBQ Chicken Wings
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Take garlic paste, red chilli powder, cumin powder, salt, vinegar, honey and ½ tablespoon of oil in a mixing bowl and whisk together to make a marinade. Add chicken wings and mix till they are well coated with the marinade. Set aside for 20 minutes.
450 grams chicken wings, 1 tablespoon garlic paste, 1 teaspoon red chilli powder, ½ teaspoon cumin powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons vinegar, 2 teaspoons honey, 1 ½ tablespoons cooking oil, 3 tablespoons barbeque sauce
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Preheat the airfryer to 190C and brush the basket with a few drops of oil.
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Place the chicken wings in the airfryer basket with some gap between each other. Brush them with oil.
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Air fry chicken wings at 190C for 5 minutes, brush with oil and air fry at 190C for 4 minutes. Air fry at 200 C for 3-4 minutes till they turn brown and crisp.
- Chicken wings with skin on works best in this recipe.
Calories: 223kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 47mg, Sodium: 334mg, Potassium: 156mg, Fiber: 0.4g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 270IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 23mg, Iron: 1mg
This article was researched and written by Harita Odedra.