Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings are crispy, sticky, and full of flavor without the need for deep frying. The wings come out golden and crunchy from the air fryer, then get tossed in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce that coats every bite. I love how easy these wings are to make—they’re perfect for game day, parties, or even a simple weeknight dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it gives me all the crispy satisfaction of fried wings with less oil and mess. The air fryer does the heavy lifting, and the sauce is made with pantry staples I almost always have on hand. These wings strike the perfect balance of sweet and garlicky, with a sticky glaze that makes them irresistible. Plus, they’re ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Chicken wings (split into flats and drumettes)
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Olive oil or cooking spray
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Salt and black pepper
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Garlic powder (optional, for seasoning before air frying)
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Honey
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Soy sauce
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Fresh garlic (minced)
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Rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
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Cornstarch (optional, to thicken the sauce)
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Sesame seeds and green onions (for garnish)
Directions
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I preheat the air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
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I pat the wings dry with paper towels, then toss them with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
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I arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden.
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While the wings cook, I prepare the honey garlic sauce. In a small saucepan, I combine honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and vinegar. I simmer it for a few minutes until slightly thickened. If I want it thicker, I whisk in a cornstarch slurry.
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When the wings are done, I toss them in the sauce until fully coated.
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I garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 4 servings.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: About 40 minutes
Variations
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I sometimes add a pinch of red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce for a spicy kick.
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Swapping soy sauce for teriyaki sauce gives the wings a sweeter, richer flavor.
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A drizzle of lime juice over the finished wings adds brightness.
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For extra crispy wings, I cook them for an extra 3–5 minutes before tossing them in sauce.
storage/reheating
I store leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes until hot and crispy again. I avoid microwaving since it makes the skin soggy.
FAQs
Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
Yes, I always preheat it so the wings start cooking immediately, which helps them crisp up.
Can I use frozen wings?
Yes, but I thaw them completely and pat them dry before air frying to get the best texture.
How do I make them extra crispy?
I make sure the wings are dry before cooking, don’t overcrowd the basket, and flip them halfway through.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, but I cook in batches so the wings have space to crisp properly in the air fryer.
Can I bake these instead?
Yes, I bake them at 425°F (220°C) for 40–45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
Conclusion
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings are one of my favorite ways to enjoy wings at home—crispy, flavorful, and perfectly coated in a sticky-sweet sauce. I love how simple they are to prepare and how they always disappear fast from the plate. Whether I’m hosting friends or just craving wings for dinner, this recipe never disappoints.
Print
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings are crispy, sticky, and flavorful wings cooked without deep frying. Coated in a sweet and garlicky glaze, they’re perfect for game day, parties, or an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
2 lbs chicken wings (flats and drumettes)
1 tbsp olive oil or cooking spray
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tsp water (optional, for thickening)
Sesame seeds and sliced green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
- Pat wings dry. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Arrange in a single layer in air fryer basket. Cook for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden.
- In a saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, garlic, and vinegar. Simmer for 3–5 minutes.
- If desired, stir in cornstarch slurry and simmer until thickened.
- Toss cooked wings in the sauce until well coated.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve immediately.
Notes
Add red pepper flakes or sriracha for spice.
Use teriyaki sauce instead of soy for a sweeter glaze.
Drizzle with lime juice for brightness.
Cook 3–5 minutes longer for extra crispiness.
Preheat air fryer and avoid overcrowding for best results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Asian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 630mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 105mg