Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Wings

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The air fryer makes honey BBQ wings easy

Sometimes you just want honey BBQ chicken wings without turning on the oven or standing over a grill. The air fryer is my secret for weeknights when I’m short on time but still want crispy, sticky wings. It cooks them evenly, keeps the skin crunchy, and uses far less oil than frying. The wings come out golden and crisp, ready to soak up that glossy honey BBQ glaze.

I first tried wings in the air fryer after a busy weekday when the oven felt like too much hassle. I was surprised by how evenly they cooked and how little mess they made. Now it’s my go-to method when I want something speedy but still indulgent. If you’d like to compare all the different ways to crisp up wings, my guide on getting crispy wings without frying breaks down the options. For other wing recipes, I’ve collected them all in my best honey roast chicken wing roundup.

The balance of air-fried wings and sticky glaze

The beauty of the air fryer is that it cooks with circulating hot air, so the skin renders and crisps without added fat. Once the wings are crisp, tossing them in a honey BBQ glaze gives you that sticky, glossy finish. It’s almost like the best of oven and fryer combined.

I like to brush on the glaze in layers and put the wings back in for a couple of minutes each time. The glaze bakes in rather than sliding off, which gives them that finger-licking shine you want from honey BBQ chicken wings. If you want to explore different sauce profiles, my homemade honey BBQ sauce recipe is a great base to try here.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 1 kg chicken wings, tips removed and joints separated
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 150 g BBQ sauce
• 3 tablespoons runny honey
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to 200°C. Pat the wings dry with kitchen paper and toss them in a bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, you may need to cook in two batches depending on the size of your fryer. Cook for 25 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the wings are golden and crisp.

Meanwhile, mix the BBQ sauce, honey, and apple cider vinegar in a small pan over low heat. Warm until glossy and slightly thickened. Once the wings are cooked, toss them in the sauce, then return them to the air fryer for 2–3 minutes to help the glaze set. Repeat once more for extra sticky shine, then serve hot.

Wine and beer pairings

A chilled Sauvignon Blanc works brilliantly with these wings, its acidity cuts through the glaze, while citrus notes brighten the honey sweetness. If you prefer red, a light Pinot Noir adds earthy undertones without overwhelming the glaze.

For beer, I recommend a crisp pilsner, refreshing, clean, and easy to sip alongside rich, sticky wings. Alternatively, try a session IPA: it has enough hops to balance the glaze but isn’t as overpowering as stronger IPAs.

Frequently asked questions about air fryer honey BBQ wings

Tips for success with air fryer honey BBQ chicken wings

Always cook the wings in a single layer. Overcrowding prevents air from circulating, and the skin won’t crisp. For the stickiest glaze, toss the wings in sauce, return them to the fryer for a couple of minutes, then repeat. It builds up a lacquered coating that clings tightly. If you’d like to compare, try my oven-baked garlic honey BBQ wings, same glaze, different crisping method.

Storage and reheating honey BBQ chicken wings

These wings will keep in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C for 5–6 minutes until hot and crisp again. They also freeze well, store in airtight bags for up to three months, then thaw and reheat in the air fryer.

Ingredient notes and alternatives

Apple cider vinegar sharpens the glaze, but you could use lemon juice if you don’t have any. Smoked paprika adds depth, but mild paprika or cayenne can be used depending on your spice preference. For gluten-free needs, check your BBQ sauce label carefully. Vegetarians can use the same glaze on crispy tofu bites made in the air fryer.