how to cook frozen wings in air fryer

These Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings (No Thaw) are perfect for weeknight dinners and meals when you are strapped for time. Enjoy these in a crispy dry rub or breaded and fried!

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure here. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

I get tons of questions on if you can air fry frozen wings? Yes, you can. In general, my preferred method is to cook the wings from fresh or thawed. It only takes a couple of hours to defrost frozen chicken in cold water.

But, air frying your wings from frozen only takes an additional 6-10 minutes if you are only using a pound of wings. That's not too inconvenient. Check out more of my observations below.

How to Make Frozen Wings in the Air Fryer

Place the frozen wings in the air fryer basket.
Air fry for 6 minutes.
Open the air fryer basket and use a wooden spoon or spatula to break apart the chicken.
Air fry the wings for an additional 4 minutes.
Open the basket and season both sides of the wings.
Air fry for 8 minutes.
Open the basket and flip the wings.
Air fry for an additional 5 minutes or until the wings have reached your desired level of crispiness.

How Long to Cook Frozen Wings

I find the wings only need to cook 6-10 minutes longer to cooking them fresh, which is pretty surprising. You will spend additional time opening the air fryer than you would with fresh wings.

In total, (for dry rub) the wings will need to cook for 23-25 minutes. Add additional cook time for breaded wings or if you're using more than 1 pound of wings.

Air Fryer Temperature

I recommend 400 degrees.

Will the Wings Drip Water?

Mine don't. It could be because of the vacuum sealed packaging on the wings I use. Because of this, there wasn't much frozen ice on the wings when I air fried them. The wings themselves were just frozen.

If you have wings that are packed in ice you may notice water drip into the bottom of the air fryer. Drain the water as you check in on the wings if this is the case.

Is it Safe to Cook Frozen Chicken?

According to the USDA, chicken can be cooked from the frozen state in the oven or on the stove. The air fryer functions a lot like the oven and is applicable here.

The cooking time may be about 50 percent longer (with the oven, as we see in this recipe that time is more than cut in half when air frying). Be sure that the chicken is cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F as measured with a food thermometer.

air fryer chicken wings in a red and white basket

How to Make Dry Rub Wings

These are the easiest to make in the air fryer. You don't need any oil if you are going to use a dry rub and the wings will still crisp. Here are a few of my favorite rubs to use.

Blackening Seasoning
McCormick's Montreal Chicken Seasoning
Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning
Louisiana Cajun Rub

How to Make Breaded Wings

To make battered and breaded wings you will need to add all-purpose flour or baking powder to the wings at the same time you add the dry rub or seasoning. You can follow the directives for how to add flour and baking powder in my Air Fryer Chicken Wings and Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken Wings recipes.

Can You Air Fry Other Frozen Food and Meat?

Yes. The key is to just check in and watch the food as it cooks. When air frying frozen meat, you want to be sure you check in on it frequently. You want to season the meat before it starts to brown so that the spices and seasoning are cooked into the meat and adds flavor.

Some of my other favorite frozen foods to cook are veggies. Check out my Air Fryer Broccoli and Air Fryer Green Beans.

Recipe Notes and Tips

In general, I find it easier to use fresh or thawed wings, but these taste just as good and still get just as crispy in the air fryer.
When using frozen wings, you can't brine or marinate the wings. I love to do this occasionally for added flavor. Keep in mind that won't work here.
It's a tad bit harder to get the spices and seasoning to stick. If necessary, after the wings have cooked for 10 minutes, remove them from the air fryer and add them to a bowl. Toss in the seasoning and ensure both sides are fully coated. Add the wings back to the air fryer.
Every air fryer will cook at varying speeds. During your first experience, get to know what works for your air fryer by constantly checking in and monitoring the results.

More Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipes

Thai Chili Chicken Wings
Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
Garlic Parmesan Wings
Honey BBQ Wings
Keto Low Carb Chicken Wings (Maple BBQ)
How to Grill Chicken Wings
Crispy Ranch Chicken Wings

More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Fried Chicken Salad
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Air Fryer Spatchcock Chicken

Frozen Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
Air Fryer Frozen Burgers
Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs

This recipe works great with my Homemade BBQ Seasoning and Rub and Air Fryer Lamb Chops, Air Fryer Crab Legs, Air Fryer Steak and Roasted Ranch Potatoes.

Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings (No Thaw)

These Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings (No Thaw) are perfect for weeknight dinners and meals when you are strapped for time. Enjoy these in a crispy dry rub or breaded and fried!

Save this recipe here. Saved!

Course dinner, lunch

Cuisine American

Keyword air fryer frozen chicken wings, frozen chicken wings in air fryer

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 210 kcal

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

1 pound frozen chicken wings Drums and flats
Chicken rub to taste
Salt and pepper to taste

I like to allow the wings to thaw on the counter for 15 minutes prior to air frying, just so that it's easy to remove the packaging. If the packaging is frozen and stuck on, you will have trouble.
Place the frozen wings in the air fryer basket.
Air fry for 6 minutes on 400 degrees.
Open the air fryer basket and use a wooden spoon or spatula to break apart the chicken. You may need to air fry it for a few additional minutes if 6 minutes isn't long enough for you.
Air fry the wings for an additional 4 minutes on 400 degrees.
Open the basket and season both sides of the wings.
Air fry on 400 degrees for 8 minutes.
Open the basket and flip the wings.
Air fry for an additional 5 minutes on 400 degrees or until the wings have reached your desired level of crispiness, and an internal temperature of 165 degrees. The amount of wings you use and the air fryer brand and model you use may alter the cooking time. If you use more wings, allow a longer cooking time and check in on the wings to monitor doneness.

In general, I find it easier to use fresh or thawed wings, but these taste just as good and still get just as crispy in the air fryer.
When using frozen wings, you can't brine or marinate the wings. I love to do this occasionally for added flavor. Keep in mind that won't work here.
It's a tad bit harder to get the spices and seasoning to stick. If necessary, after the wings have cooked for 10 minutes, remove them from the air fryer and add them to a bowl. Toss in the seasoning and ensure both sides are fully coated. Add the wings back to the air fryer.
Every air fryer will cook at varying speeds. During your first experience, get to know what works for your air fryer by constantly checking in and monitoring the results.
If you have wings that are packed in ice you may notice water drip into the bottom of the air fryer. Drain the water as you check in on the wings if this is the case.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 210 kcal | Protein: 20 g | Fat: 14 g

If you get tired of your Meal Prep Meals by Day 2 our Big Boss Meal Prep Guide is for you!

Mention @Stay_Snatched or tag #StaySnatched! The recipe instructions noted here are the property of Stay Snatched and subject to copyright. Please do not screenshot and share this recipe on social.

Check out our YouTube Channel!

Click here to join our Facebook Group!

Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.