Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Wings: 20 Minutes

Air fryer jerk chicken wings are a great recipe you can make any night of the week. They are seasoned with a bold spice rub, packed with protein, and take less than 30 minutes from start to finish thanks to the air fryer. These jerk wings make an easy, healthy weeknight dinner that the whole family is sure to love.

Usually I lean towards saucy chicken wing recipes, like BBQ or buffalo sauce, but after trying these air fryer wings with a jerk dry rub, my mind may be changed! They have the most incredible bold, yet warm flavor and an irresistible crispy skin.

These spicy wings make an easy, healthy main dish you can make any day of the week. They only need 5 ingredients, take less than 30 minutes to cook, and are packed with protein and other nutrients. Pair these with roasted potatoes and a simple salad for a quick, nutritious meal that’s ready in just minutes.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE CHICKEN WINGS

• You only need 5 simple ingredients
• They’re full of delicious, Caribbean flavor
• This air fryer recipe takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish
• The chicken wings come out so moist and juicy
• There’s minimal oil needed, so they’re much healthier than deep frying

INGREDIENTS FOR AIR FRYER JERK CHICKEN WINGS

• Chicken wings: I used 2 pounds of chicken wings that were divided into wingettes and flats
• Jerk seasoning: You can use store bought seasoning, or make your own homemade jerk seasoning
• Olive oil: You only need a little bit, but it helps get the skin super crispy
• Lime juice: This adds a bright, fresh flavor that cuts through the warm spices of the dry rub
• Coconut sugar: I like to add a little bit to enhance the sweet notes of the spice rub

HOW TO MAKE JERK CHICKEN WINGS IN THE AIR FRYER

1. Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees F
2. Add your chicken wings to a large bowl and season with olive oil, jerk seasoning, coconut sugar, and lime juice
3. Use tongs to gently toss the chicken until everything is well seasoned
4. Place the chicken wings in a single layer into your preheated air fryer basket and cook at 390 F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through
5. Carefully pull the wings out, let them rest for a few minutes to cool off, then serve and enjoy

INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS

Chicken wings: You could use this seasoning on chicken breasts or chicken thighs, but the cook time will be different

Olive oil: This can be substituted with avocado oil

Lime juice: If you don’t have lime juice, orange juice or lemon juice are great substitutes

Coconut sugar: Brown sugar is a great replacement if you don’t have coconut sugar

EXPERT TIPS

• Let the chicken wings come to room temperature (about 15 minutes) before you fry them so they cook more evenly
• Pat the wings dry with a paper towel to get a really crispy skin
• Be sure to preheat your air fryer
• Use even less oil by spraying these with cooking spray instead of using olive oil
• Lay the jerk chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket
• Flip them halfway through the cooking time for best results
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

You can pair these crispy chicken wings with most sides any they’ll make a delicious, balanced meal. A few of my favorite side dishes to serve are:

• Air fryer zucchini and squash
• Crispy smashed potatoes
• Roasted sweet potatoes
• Kale salad
• Spicy potato salad
• Air fryer frozen broccoli
• 3 ingredient carrot fries

FAQs

How can I make my air fryer jerk chicken wings crispy?

The best way is to pat the skins dry before air frying, and you can also add 1 teaspoon of baking powder to the seasoning blend which will help you get crispy wings.

Can I use parchment paper in the air fryer?

Yes, but make sure you use a liner with holes in it so the excess grease from the wings can drip out. If the grease can’t escape, you’ll be left with soggy wings.

Can wings be layered in the air fryer?

No, you want them to be in a single layer; you may have to air fry these in 2 batches.

What should the internal temperature be?

The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F. This can easily be checked with a meat thermometer if you would feel more comfortable.

What’s in Jerk seasoning?

There’s a lot of bold flavors that make up a homemade Jamaican jerk seasoning such as; onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, salt, ground allspice, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, sugar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.

STORING AND REHEATING

You can store any leftover air fryer wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

To reheat, let the wings come to room temperature then cook at 350 F for 5-6 minutes until warmed through.

Did you make my air fryer jerk chicken wings? If so, I would greatly appreciate you leaving a comment and star rating down below. Additionally, follow me on Instagram if you make this or any other of my easy air fryer recipes.

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