Easy Air Fryer Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings

If you’re a fan of bold and spicy flavors, then Jamaican jerk chicken wings are the perfect dish for you. And the great news is that cooking them in an air fryer is a fantastic way to achieve crispy, flavorful wings with minimal effort.

The secret to these wings lies in the blend of spices, including cayenne pepper, allspice, and thyme, which give them their signature kick.

In this article, I share a great recipe for air fryer Jamaican jerk chicken wings. I guide you through the process of making these deliciously spicy wings that are sure to impress.

Why cook jerk chicken wings in an air fryer?

Easy – Chicken wings are not only low cost and versatile chicken they are also easy to cook in an air fryer. In this recipe simply marinade the wings and then cook them in the air fryer for 15 minutes.

Quick – Cooking chicken wings in an air fryer is faster than if you were using a traditional oven. 15 minutes vs. 30 minutes.

Healthier – You use less oil when cooking wings in an air fryer. 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 with fewer calories than if deep fried.  

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

What ingredients do I need to make jerk chicken wings?

To make air fryer jerk chicken wings you need a range of regularly available spices and other simple ingredients. You may already have them in your cupboard to make this easy jerk seasoning.

• Chicken wings – pre-split into drumettes and wingettes or separated yourself. Use a sharp knife and cut into the joint.
• Onion powder
• Thyme
• Dried parsley
• Ground allspice
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground black pepper
• Cayenne pepper
• Paprika
• Ground cumin
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Ground Nutmeg
• Soft brown sugar

You can use the above ingredients as either a dry rub or use it to make a jerk paste. If you want to make a paste, add some vegetable oil to the above herbs and spices.

If serving as a side dish, consider doing so alongside…

• Lime wedges
• Yogurt (Greek is best) with some lemon juice added – for a refreshing dip.

The recipe card below has the ingredient quantities.

What equipment do I need to make jerk chicken wings?

No specialist equipment is needed…

• A knife (if you need to split the wings)
• A chopping board
• A large bowl
• Kitchen tongs
• Some spoons
• Air fryer liner or aluminum foil 
• A digital meat thermometer

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

Cooking chicken wings takes 15 minutes at 400 F (200 c). 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 jerk spice mix takes less than 5 minutes to make. If you have time let the wings marinate for at least 2 hours. 

How to make and cook jerk chicken wings in an air fryer

To serve up delicious jerk chicken wings simply follow these step-by-step instructions. Within 15 – 20 minutes you will be serving your spiced chicken wings.

Step 1 – Make the jerk spice mix

Add all the ingredients (except the chicken wings) to a large mixing bowl. Mix until everything is combined. Add the oil as well if making it into a paste.

Step 2 – 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 3 – Cover the wings in the jerk marinade

Add the chicken wings to the large mixing bowl and cover the wings with the spice mix (or paste).

Step 4 – Marinate (optional)

If you have time cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap (cling film) and put it in the fridge. Leave it there for at least 2 hours.

Step 5 – Pre-heat the air fryer

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

Step 6 – Add and organize the wings

Once the air fryer has been pre-heated, brush or spray some oil or cooking spray into the air fryer basket. You can also use an air fryer 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 this recipe I used avocado oil.

Organize the chicken 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 – 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 7 – Check

After 15 minutes in total, remove the drawer and check that the wings 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 9.

Step 8 – Extra time

If you like your chicken wings to be crispier or the internal temperature is not above 165 F (75 c). Cook for 2 to 5 extra minutes.

Step 9 – Serve

Serve the cooked jerk chicken wings with some rice, vegetables, or salad and lime wedges.

Top tips

Here are some top tips to follow to serve up the best jerk 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 your air fryer basket size, you may need to cook the wings in batches.

Marinate – To ensure the wings are full of flavor do allow the wings to marinate for at least two hours.  

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).

Serve with

Air fried Jamaican jerk chicken wings are a delicious and fiery main dish that can be paired with a variety of side dishes to create a satisfying meal. Here are some suggestions…

• For a refreshing contrast to the spicy flavors of the wings, consider serving them with a side of cool and creamy potato salad.  
• To keep it simple, no chicken wing meal would be complete without a side of crispy sweet potato fries or french fries. You can also experiment with different dipping sauces to add even more flavor to your meal, such as a tangy BBQ sauce or a creamy ranch dressing.
• For a full Jamaican-inspired meal, consider serving your jerk chicken wings with a side of rice and a refreshing tropical salad.

Whether you decide to enjoy them as a main dish or a party snack, air fried Jamaican jerk chicken wings are a flavorful addition to any meal. Enjoy.

Common questions

How do you store leftover chicken wings?

If you have cooked too many wings, wait for the wings to cool to room temperature. Put the wings in an airtight container or freezer bag. Store them in the fridge for up to three days or freezer for 3 months.

The sauce can also be pre-made and stored in the fridge 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).

Can I substitute chicken wings for chicken thighs?

Yes, you can use chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or legs instead of chicken wings. As these chicken pieces are larger than wings you will need to increase the cooking time.

Can I use jerk spice mix bought from grocery stores?

Yes, you can use store-bought jerk spice mix.

Related articles

Air Fried Teriyaki Chicken Wings – Another great air fryer chicken wings recipe.

Easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes – A collection of great chicken air fryer recipes.

Recipe card