Easy Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

Looking to add some sweet and sour flavors to your chicken wings? Here’s a mouth-watering recipe that is easy to make and everyone will love.

This recipe is quick, easy, and perfect for any occasion, whether it be a weeknight dinner or a game day snack.

Using your air fryer, the wings will be crispy and healthier. Once the wings are covered in a simple-to-make but delicious honey garlic sauce, you won’t have any leftovers. There is not much mess either.

In this article, I’ll take you through the steps of making these delicious air fryer honey garlic chicken wings. There is a recipe card at the bottom of this article.

Why cook honey garlic chicken wings in an air fryer?

Quick & Easy – Chicken wings are a delicious low-cost mealtime option. Covered in this honey garlic sauce they are divine. The sauce is simple to make, you can make it ahead and store it in the fridge if busy. Cooking chicken wings in an air fryer is easy and the best way to cook your wings.

Healthier – When cooking wings in an air fryer, you do not need to add oil. Fatty grease also drips to the bottom of the basket, away from the wings as they cook. The wings do not re-absorb that fat, providing crispy and juicy wings that have fewer calories.  

Easy clean up – No fat splatters or oven trays to clean. Just wash the air fryer’s basket and drawer with warm soapy and water.

What ingredients do I need to make honey garlic chicken wings?

This easy air fryer recipe only needs a few simple ingredients.

• Chicken wings – pre-split into drumettes and wingettes or separated yourself. Use a sharp knife and cut into the joint to split the wings.
• Honey – unsurprisingly a key ingredient, runny honey from the store is fine. For added flavor local honey is great.
• Fresh garlic – the clue is in the title.
• Lemon or lime juice – freshly squeezed or concentrated.
• Flour – to help make the wings extra crispy
• Chili flakes (optional) to add some heat
• Salt and black pepper

The recipe card below has the ingredients listed along with the quantities.

What equipment do I need to make honey garlic chicken wings?

No specialist equipment is needed, a knife, a small bowl, garlic crusher and some spoons will be enough to make this recipe. A digital meat thermometer can be used to check the wings are fully cooked.

How long does it take to cook honey garlic chicken wings in an air fryer?

It takes 15 minutes at 400 F (200 c) to cook chicken wings. You may need to add some extra time if cooking large wings or you like your wings to be extra crispy. Use a digital meat thermometer to check the wings are fully cooked.

The honey garlic sauce can be made as the wings cook.

How to cook honey garlic chicken wings in an air fryer

To serve up delicious and crispy chicken wings simply follow this step-by-step guide. Within 15 – 20 minutes you will be serving chicken wings covered in a delicious honey garlic sauce that your whole family will devour.

Step 1 – Prepare the chicken wings

Using a sharp knife cut the wings in half. Cut the wings at the joint to give you a drumette and wingette from each wing.

Step 2 – Pre-heat

Pre-heat the air fryer to 400 F (200 c).

Step 3 – Season the wings

In a bowl add 2 tablespoons of flour and a teaspoon of salt and pepper. Mix.

Roll each chicken drumette and wingette in the flour mix.

Step 4 – Add and organize the wings

Once the air fryer has been pre-heated, brush or spray some oil into the air fryer basket or add a liner to reduce the clean-up time. I tend to use either parchment paper or silicone liner.

It’s optional, but I find wings stick to the basket without a liner or oil. For the photos, I used sesame oil.

Organize the wings in a single layer at the bottom of the air fryer basket, on top of the liner (if using one).

Step 5 – Cook

Cook the wings for 15 minutes at 400 F (200 c)

Step 6 – Start to make the sticky honey garlic sauce

While the chicken wings cook, take 3 cloves of garlic, and crush them into a bowl with a garlic crusher.

Then add the juice of 1 lemon and a pinch of salt. Leave to one side.

If you want to add some heat, add some chili flakes.

Step 7 – Turn

After 10 minutes of cooking, pull out the air fryer drawer and use tongs to turn the chicken wings.

Return the drawer and cook for the remaining 5 minutes.

Step 8 – Check

After 15 minutes, remove the drawer and check that the wings have crisped to your satisfaction and that they are fully cooked.

Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken wings have an internal temperature of at least 165 F (74 c). If you are also happy with how crispy they are, move to step 10.

Step 9 – Extra time

If you like your chicken wings to be crispier or the internal temperature is not above 165 F (74 c) cook for 2 to 5 extra minutes.

Step 10 – Rest

Once the wings are cooked leave them in the air fryer basket to rest, while you finish the honey garlic sauce.

Step 11 – Finish the honey garlic sauce

Add 4 tablespoons of runny honey to the bowl with the garlic and lemon juice. Mix it all.

Step 12 – Cover the wings

Now the garlic honey sauce is ready, you can either use tongs to…

1. Take each bit of chicken and dip it into the sauce to completely cover each one.
2. Add all the wings to a bowl and pour over the sauce. Move the chicken around to cover them all in the sauce.

Serve up the now covered wings with a scattering of sesame seeds and green onions on top. Enjoy.

Top tips

Here are some top tips to follow to serve up the best honey garlic chicken wings using your air fryer.

Single layer – For best results don’t be tempted to air fry too many chicken wings at once and have them piled up on each other. This will disrupt the cooking process, resulting in uneven cooking and less crispy wings. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket you may need to cook the wing in batches.

Turn – To serve up wings that have crispy skin on all sides. Turn the wings halfway through their cooking time.

Timings – You may need to increase the cooking time if your batch contains larger wings. The timings stated are a guide as wings do vary in size. If needed, cook the wings for more or less time to crisp to your personal preference.

Internal temp – Before serving check the wings with a digital meat thermometer. The cooked chicken wings should have an internal temperature of 165 F (74 c).

Serving suggestions

If serving as a perfect appetizer, simply serve as is. Alternatively, serve the wings with a nice salad and some sweet potato fries or rice for an easy meal.

Make sure you have some paper towel or a damp cloth to hand to clean your fingers. Do not forget if eating with children.

Common questions

How do I store leftover honey garlic chicken wings?

If you have cooked too many wings, try to work this out before you have covered them in the honey garlic sauce.

Once the sauce and wings are combined, it is best to eat them cold versus trying to reheat them. They can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days.

If you have realized, you have cooked too many chicken wings before covering them in the sticky sauce. Store the wings in an airtight container or freezer bag in the fridge for up to 3 days or freezer for 3 months.

The sauce can also be pre-made and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days for use when needed.

How do I reheat leftover chicken wings?

To reheat your chicken wings, take them from the fridge and add them to your air fryer basket.

Reheat in a preheated air fryer for 4 minutes at 360 F (180 c).

Related Articles

Easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes – A collection of easy chicken air fryer recipes to provide you with inspiration and help you make the most of your air fryer.

Frozen Chicken Wings – The step-by-step process of cooking frozen chicken wings in an air fryer.

Recipe card