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+ servings
Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wet Wings

Air Fryer Firecracker Chicken Wings

Get ready to experience bold flavors with these Air Fryer Firecracker Chicken Wings! Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in a spicy-sweet firecracker sauce. All the crunch without deep frying.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 425

Ingredients
  

  • 3 pounds chicken wings
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tablespoons paprika
  • 1 ½ tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 ½ tablespoons onion powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
  • Cooking spray

Method
 

  1. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Arrange the coated chicken wings in a single layer, leaving space between them for even cooking.Cook in multiple batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
  3. Air fry the wings at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through for even crispiness.

Nutrition

Calories: 425kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 33gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 545mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1g

Notes

Pro Tips:
Buy wings that still have the wing tip attached, then separate them yourself. Pre-cut wings lose too much moisture during processing, and that missing moisture is what creates steam for maximum crispiness in the air fryer.
After 50+ batches, I've learned to shake the basket every 4 minutes instead of the typical 5-6. Firecracker wings have more coating surface area than regular wings, so they need more frequent agitation to prevent sticking and ensure even browning.
Mix your firecracker sauce while the wings are still cooking, not before. The sauce needs to be warm when it hits the hot wings so it penetrates the coating slightly rather than just sitting on top, giving you that perfect sweet-heat balance in every bite.
Use gochujang instead of just sriracha for the heat component. The fermented depth adds complexity that regular hot sauce can't match, and the slight sweetness plays perfectly with the honey in typical firecracker glazes while maintaining authentic Korean flavors.
Storage & Meal Prep:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F.

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