Air Fryer Cajun Chicken Wings
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These air fryer cajun chicken wings are seasoned, crispy, and cooked to perfection in just 25 minutes. Perfect for a quick meal or snack, they’re full of bold flavor and easy to make.
When I’m craving something bold, crispy, and a little spicy, these air fryer cajun chicken wings are my go-to. They’re packed with flavor, easy to throw together, and perfect for busy nights when I want something homemade without spending hours in the kitchen. If you love wings that are juicy on the inside and crisp on the outside, you’re going to want to save this recipe.
I first started making these when I wanted an alternative to deep-fried wings that wouldn’t leave my kitchen smelling like oil. The air fryer does all the hard work—no babysitting a pan of hot grease. Plus, with just a few spices and a quick cook time, these wings come out better than anything I used to order for takeout.
What I love most is how versatile these air fryer cajun chicken wings are. I can serve them with a simple side salad for a quick dinner or pile them up on a platter for game day. They’re also great for meal prepping because they reheat really well in the air fryer without losing that amazing crisp. Once you try them, you’ll see why they’ve become a regular in my meal rotation.
Items Needed
Here’s what you’ll need to make air fryer cajun chicken wings:
- Chicken wings: The base of the recipe provides tender meat and crispy skin when cooked properly.
- Cajun seasoning: Adds a bold, spicy, and flavorful kick to the wings, enhancing their taste.
- Granulated garlic: Provides a savory, slightly sweet garlic flavor that complements the spices.
- Smoked sweet paprika: Adds a smoky depth of flavor while balancing the heat from the Cajun seasoning.
- Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors and helps draw moisture out of the wings for a crispier texture.
- Ground black pepper: Brings a bit of heat and sharpness that balances the other seasonings.
- Olive oil: Helps the seasonings stick to the wings while aiding in crisping up the skin in the air fryer.
- Oil spray for Air Fryer: Ensures even cooking and helps achieve a golden, crispy exterior without excess oil.
Tools you’ll need
Before starting the recipe, you’ll want to have all your kitchen essentials ready. I recommend having the following items:
Ways To Customize
Here are some easy ways to customize this air fryer cajun chicken wings recipe:
- Adjust the spice level: Increase or decrease the amount of Cajun seasoning to suit your taste. Add a dash of cayenne pepper if you like it extra spicy, or reduce it for a milder version.
- Add different seasonings: Experiment with other spices like onion powder, thyme, or oregano for a more herby flavor. You could also try adding a bit of lemon pepper for a citrusy twist.
- Sweeten it up: For a sweet and spicy combo, add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup to the wings before air frying. This balances the heat with a touch of sweetness.
- Use different oils: If you prefer a different flavor, you can swap olive oil for avocado oil or even coconut oil for a unique twist.
- Try different dips: Serve with your favorite dipping sauce like ranch, blue cheese, or a spicy sriracha mayo to complement the cajun flavor.
- Add a citrus boost: Squeeze fresh lime or lemon juice over the wings after they’re done cooking to give them a bright, zesty finish.
- Marinate beforehand: Let the wings marinate in the seasoning mix and oil for a couple of hours or overnight to really infuse the flavors for a more intense taste.
- Try boneless wings: Swap the traditional chicken wings for boneless chicken breast or thighs for a slightly different texture and easier eating.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below.
How To Make It
Separate drumettes from flats. Remove tips of the chicken wings. Avoid cutting through the bone.
Pat dry chicken wings.
On a small plate, combine garlic, paprika, black pepper, and Cajun seasoning.
Lightly drizzle oil all over the chicken wings, then season all sides with salt and the Cajun mixture.
Generously spray the Air Fryer tray or basket with oil.
Transfer seasoned chicken wings, skin side up, to an Air Fryer tray or basket in a single layer with some space between each piece.
Cook in a preheated Air Fryer at 380°F (193°C). Set at 25 minutes.
Flip the chicken wings halfway through or after 10 minutes. Air Fry for the last 12 to 15 minutes until the chicken wings are crisp and golden or until the internal temperature is 165°F.
Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Note
Make sure the wings are arranged in a single layer in the air fryer with some space between each piece. This ensures they cook evenly and get crispy all around, rather than steaming or sticking together.
Storage
To store leftover air fryer cajun chicken wings, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to reheat them, the best way to bring back that crispy texture is to pop them back into the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and heat the wings for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re warmed through and crispy again. You can also reheat them in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, but the air fryer will give you the best results for maintaining their crunch.
Helpful Hints
Pro tip: Pat the wings dry!
Before seasoning, make sure to pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. This helps remove excess moisture, ensuring they crisp up nicely in the air fryer.
Here are some more helpful hints for making the air fryer cajun chicken wings:
- Preheat the air fryer: Always preheat the air fryer before cooking. This ensures the wings start cooking at the right temperature right away, leading to an even crispier result.
- Use a little oil spray: While you’re already using olive oil, lightly spraying the air fryer tray or basket with oil before adding the wings ensures they won’t stick and helps them crisp up beautifully.
- Flip halfway through: To get an even crisp on both sides, flip the wings halfway through the cooking time. This ensures they cook uniformly and get that golden, crispy texture on all sides.
- Check internal temperature: To ensure your wings are cooked safely, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should reach 165°F (74°C) for the wings to be fully cooked.
- Let the wings rest: After cooking, let the wings rest for a few minutes. This helps the juices redistribute, making them even juicier and more flavorful.
Serving Suggestions
These air fryer cajun chicken wings are perfect for a quick and tasty dinner or a fun party snack. You can serve them with a side of creamy dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese to help cool down the spice. A simple side of crunchy celery or carrot sticks works great to balance the flavors and add a refreshing crunch. They’re easy to enjoy and perfect for sharing with friends and family.
For a fuller meal, you can pair the wings with a fresh salad or a low-carb side. A Keto Collard Green Salad with Chicken is a great choice, with its fresh flavors and a nice, tangy dressing that goes perfectly with the spicy wings. If you’re in the mood for something a little more filling, try Eggplant Lasagna. It’s a warm, hearty dish that complements the wings without overpowering the flavors.
If you want to add even more variety to your meal, consider serving the wings with some cauliflower rice or roasted veggies. Crispy roasted Brussels sprouts or garlic butter asparagus are simple sides that would go really well with the wings, adding a tasty contrast to the spice. No matter what you choose to serve with them, these air fryer cajun chicken wings will definitely be a hit!
FAQs
Recipe
Air Fryer Cajun Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 10 pieces chicken wings about 900 grams of drumettes, flats and tips
- 3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
- kosher salt to taste, about 1 1/2 teaspoons
- ground black pepper to taste, about 1 1/2 teaspoons
- 2 tablespoons olive oil plus oil spray for Air Fryer
Instructions
- Separate drumettes from flats. Remove tip of chicken wings. Avoid cutting through the bone.
- Pat dry chicken wings.
- On a small plate, combine garlic, paprika, black pepper, and Cajun seasoning.
- Lightly drizzle oil all over the chicken wings, then season all sides with salt and the Cajun mixture.
- Generously spray the Air Fryer tray or basket with oil.
- Transfer seasoned chicken wings, skin side up, to an Air Fryer tray or basket in a single layer with some space between each piece.
- Cook in a pre-heated Air Fryer at 380°F (193°C). Set at 25 minutes.
- Flip the chicken wings halfway through or after 10 minutes. Air Fry for the last 12 to 15 minutes until the chicken wings are crisp and golden or until the internal temperature is 165°F.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
Equipment
- Measuring spoons
- knife
- Chopping board for chicken
- Kitchen tongs
- Air fryer tray
- Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven
