If you're looking for the best crispy air fryer chicken wing recipe ever, you've found it! These wings are crunchy, juicy, and full of flavor. You're going to eat them all in one sitting!
Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel. Make sure to get as much moisture off the skin as possible.
Mix 1 teaspoon of salt with 1 teaspoon of baking powder per pound of chicken. Toss the dried chicken wings in this mixture until evenly coated. Place the wings on a rack set over a sheet pan and refrigerate for at least an hour.
Remove the wings from the fridge and pat them dry a second time. Mix the cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and black pepper called for in the recipe for every pound of chicken. Toss the wings in this mixture until thoroughly coated.
Grease your air fryer basket and preheat it to 300°F. Arrange the wings in a single layer, making sure they do not touch. Cook for 15 minutes.
Flip the wings over, raise the temperature of the air fryer to 450°F, and cook for 10 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the wings have an internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
*Only use a teaspoon of salt if the salt you're using is a coarse salt, like coarse sea salt or kosher salt. If using a finer salt, like fine sea salt or table salt, use only 1/2 teaspoon per pound of chicken.*For best results, use aluminum-free baking powder. Baking powder with aluminum in it can leave a metallic aftertaste.