Incredibly easy and delicious air fryer chicken wings cooked from frozen. They're crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, like they just came out of the deep fryer, but healthier! The wings are then tossed in the most amazing hot honey butter sauce!! Perfect for Super Bowl Sunday or anytime you're in need of a crazy delicious appetizer or quick dinner.
There really is no better way to cook chicken wings! The oven can't even compete. It takes twice as long to cook frozen chicken wings in the oven versus the air fryer, and trust me, they're not nearly as good or crispy.
And you absolutely have to make the hot honey butter! It's, dare I say, life changing. It's sweet, salty, spicy, buttery and creamy. I'm obsessed. Nate's obsessed. You're going to be obsessed. You'll want to drizzle it on everything. It's also amazing on pizza. You have to try my BBQ Chicken Pizza with Hot Honey Butter!
Why you'll love this recipe
- No thawing needed. There is absolutely no need to thaw the chicken wings before air frying. They cook up perfectly from frozen, saving you lots of time and hassle.
- Cooked perfectly. In just 25 minutes, the wings will be seriously crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside.
- Crazy flavorful. You guys, the hot honey butter. I can't tell you enough how good it is!! Just three simple ingredients mixed together create the most amazing flavor.
Ingredients
All you need is some simple ingredients to make super crispy and flavorful chicken wings!
- Chicken wings
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Butter
- Hot sauce
- Honey
How to make frozen chicken wings in the air fryer
There is no easier and better way to cook frozen chicken wings!! Here's how to do it:
- Step 1: Season the wings. Toss the wings in olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
- Step 2: Cook the frozen chicken wings. Air fry the wings for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
- Step 4: Toss in hot honey butter. While the wings cook, make the hot honey butter. Toss the cooked wings in the sauce and then air fry again for a few minutes to caramelize the sauce!
- Step 5: Enjoy! Serve with extra hot honey butter!
How to make frozen chicken wings in the oven
- Step 1: Season the wings. Toss the wings in olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
- Step 2: Cook the frozen chicken wings. Cook the frozen chicken wings at 400 degrees for about 1 hour (40 minutes if thawed), flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
- Step 4: Toss in hot honey butter. While the wings cook, make the hot honey butter. Toss the cooked wings in the sauce and return to the oven. Broil for 1-2 minutes, watching the wings closely so they don't burn, then flip the wings and broil again for another 1-2 minutes.
- Step 5: Enjoy! Serve with extra hot honey butter!
Frequently asked questions.
Should I defrost chicken wings before frying?
There is no need to thaw frozen chicken wings before cooking. They cook up perfectly from frozen.
Can you cook chicken wings from frozen?
Chicken wings a great cooked from frozen! They're crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. You can cook frozen chicken wings in the air fryer (my favorite method) or in the oven.
How long to air fry frozen chicken wings
Air fry frozen chicken wings at 400 degrees for 25 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through the cook time to ensure both sides get crispy and the wings cook evenly.
Storage & reheating
Storing chicken wings.
If you have leftover chicken wings, store in the fridge for up to 4 days. They reheat really well.
Reheating chicken wings.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Add the chicken wings in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes, then flip and cook another 2-3 minutes until heated through.
Expert tips
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer. A little overlap is okay, but don't stack the wings! If you stack the wings, they won't cook evenly and get as crispy on the outside.
- Move the wings around if they're not cooking evenly. I noticed my air fryer cooks a little hotter on one side than the other. So I like to check the wings a few times throughout cooking and move the wings around so they all cook and crisp evenly.
- Air fry the wings again after tossing in hot honey butter. Don't skip this step! Make sure to air fry the wings again after you toss in the sauce. It caramelizes the hot honey butter, helping it stick to the wings and char a little - they're so good this way!
Recommended Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below! I'd love to hear from you! If you’re on Instagram, share a picture of the food you created and tag me at Modern Farmhouse Eats! I enjoy seeing all the pictures! 😊
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings with Hot Honey Butter
Equipment
Ingredients
Chicken wings
- 2 pounds frozen chicken wings
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Hot honey butter
- 1 cup butter
- ⅓ cup Frank's original hot sauce
- ⅓ cup honey
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Toss the wings in the olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
- Place the wings in the preheated air fryer in a single layer. Set to air fry for 15 minutes. Flip the wings and cook another 10-15 minutes, or until fully cooked through.
- Meanwhile, make the hot honey butter. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt together the butter, hot sauce and honey, whisking to combine.
- Once the wings are cooked, toss with half of the hot honey butter. Place the wings back into the air fryer to caramelize the sauce and char the wings. Air fry for 2 minutes, then flip the wings and air fry for another 2 minutes.
- Serve the wings with the extra hot honey butter and a side of ranch.
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colleen says
You say to toss wings in with garlic powder, but garlic powder not listed as an ingredient. How much?
Modern Farmhouse Eats says
Hi Colleen, sorry I missed that! It's just 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
Carolyn Carter says
Yes, how much garlic powder? Also in the oven method recipe, it talks about saucing them and returning them to the air fryer. Does not give directions on saucing them after they’re cooked and how much longer to return to the oven.
Modern Farmhouse Eats says
Hi Carolyn, after you toss the wings in the hot honey butter, broil in the oven for 1-2 minutes, watching closely so the wings don't burn, then flip and broil another 1-2 minutes.
Katie Van Harten says
Hi, what brand of Hot sauce do you use?
Modern Farmhouse Eats says
Hi Katie, I use Frank's original hot sauce
Sean Kelly says
I’ve made these twice now, they come out awesome! I highly recommend using grape seed oil instead of olive oil, the olive oil made my whole house fill with smoke. Still a great flavor!
Modern Farmhouse Eats says
Sean, thanks for the tip. I'm so glad you're enjoying the recipe!!