Pre-Cooked Frozen Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer

Cooking pre-cooked frozen chicken wings in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy delicious crispy chicken wings. Using pre-cooked chicken wings from the store will save you time, without compromising on flavor. Making them well worth the extra cost.

Air fryers use hot air to cook food, resulting in a crispier exterior and a more tender interior compared to other cooking methods. By using an air fryer to cook pre-cooked frozen chicken wings, you can enjoy restaurant-quality wings in the comfort of your home with minimal effort.

In this article, I cover the step-by-step instructions for cooking pre-cooked frozen chicken wings in an air fryer. As well as tips for achieving the perfect crispy texture and flavor.

So, keep reading to learn how to cook pre-cooked frozen chicken wings in an air fryer.

Why cook pre-cooked frozen chicken wings in an air fryer?

Quick & Easy – Sometimes you just don’t have time to make your own dry or wet rub and apply it to some raw chicken wings. Yet you don’t want plain chicken wings. That is why pre-cooked and flavored chicken wings are so great.  

Simply take them out of the freezer, and place wings in a single layer in your air fryer’s basket. Cook in a pre-heated air fryer for 15 minutes.

Convenient – With a busy lifestyle, any pre-cooked meat can be a savior, especially when cooked in an air fryer. Pre-cooked chicken wings can be on your plate after only 15 minutes of cooking, with your favorite seasonings already applied.

Healthier – Unlike cooking in a conventional oven. Any excess grease and juices that come out of the wings will drip to the bottom of the air fryer and not be reabsorbed. Extra oil is not needed. This not only helps the wings crisp but also results in healthier wings.

How long does it take to reheat pre-cooked chicken wings?

As the chicken wings are pre-cooked your wings will only need to be air fried for 15 mins at 400 F (200c).

You may need to extend the time if your wings are particularly large, or if you want extra crispy wings. Use a digital meat thermometer to check that the wings have an internal temperature of above 165 F (74c).

How to reheat pre-cooked frozen chicken wings in an air fryer

To serve up delicious and crispy pre-cooked chicken wings simply follow this step-by-step guide. Within 15 minutes you will be serving chicken wings that took you little to no effort to cook.

Step 1 – Break up the chicken wings

If the wings are clumped together when you take them from the freezer, either…

• Leave them to thaw for 5 to 10 minutes before you can break them apart.
• Add them to the air fryer as it pre-heats.

Step 2 – Pre-heat the air fryer

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

If your wings were clumped together, add the wings now to have the air fryer thaw them out.

Step 3 – Add and organize the wings

Once the air fryer has pre-heated you have the option to add a liner to reduce the clean-up time. I use either parchment paper or silicone liners. It is optional.

Organize the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, on top of the liner if you are using one.

If you added the wings to thaw while the air fryer pre-heated. Pour out any liquid in the bottom of the air fryer drawer. Use tongs to move the wings around to ensure they have space between them.

Step 4 – Cook

Cook the wings for 15 minutes at 400 F (200 c), this will vary depending on the size of the wings.

Step 5 – Turn

After 10 minutes of cook time, 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 6 – Check

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

Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken wings have an internal temperature of at least 165 F (74 c).

Step 7 – Extra time to cook

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 8 – Serve

Serve up the delicious wings once cooked to your preference and have an internal temperature above 165 (74 c).

If you want to soak any excess oil off the cooked wings before serving, use tongs to place the wings on some paper towel. Serve!

Top tips

Here are some top tips to follow to serve up the best pre-cooked chicken wings from frozen, using your air fryer.

Separate wings – If the wings come out stuck together and you are short on time. Put the wings in the air fryer basket to thaw out as it pre-heats. Once the air fryer is pre-heated pour away any liquid that has drained into the bottom of the basket and organize the wings to be cooked.

Single layer – For best results don’t be tempted to cook too many chicken wings at once. This will disrupt the cooking process, resulting in uneven cooking and less crispy wings. Cook in batches if needed.

Turn – To serve up wings that have crispy skin on all sides. Turn the wings after 10 minutes.

Timings – You may need to increase the cooking time if your batch contains larger wings. Or if you like your wings crispier. Different air fryer models also produce varying results.

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

Serving your wings with your favorite dipping sauce is a great way to add some extra flavor. Our favorite sauces are…

• Buffalo sauce
• BBQ sauce
• Garlic butter
• Peri Peri sauce
• Honey and garlic

Add some carrot sticks and celery sticks alongside your favorite sauce to make for the perfect appetizer. Or serve with french fries and a simple salad to make it your main course.

Make sure you have some paper towel or a damp cloth to clean your fingers. Don’t forget if you are eating with children it can get messy!

Common questions

How do you store leftover chicken wings?

If by some miracle you have some leftover wings. You can store these in an airtight container or freezer bag in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Do not re-freeze the chicken wings.

How do I reheat leftover chicken wings?

Do not reheat the chicken wings again. If you do have leftovers, you are best to eat them cold.

Should I defrost pre-cooked chicken wings before cooking them in an air fryer?

You do not need to defrost pre-cooked chicken wings before cooking them. For best results cook the pre-cooked chicken wings from frozen.

Can I cook uncooked frozen or fresh chicken wings in an air fryer?

Yes, the steps in any chicken wings recipe are the same if the wings are cooked, uncooked, frozen, or fresh. The cooking durations are just different and some may include a suggested dry rub.

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.

Best Air Fryer Frozen Food Recipes – All the best frozen food recipes in one place to help you make the most of your air fryer

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

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