Keto Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Prep: 5 min Cook: 30 min Total: 35 min Servings: 4
Annie Lampella @ Ketofocus

By Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Published July 20, 2019 • Updated February 1, 2026

Reader Rating
4.8 Stars (34 Reviews)
Air FryerCarnivoreDairy FreeEasyKid Friendly

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Chicken wings cooked in an air fryer come out extra crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Wings are a favorite quick keto meal or appetizer that most everyone enjoys. Since they are small, chicken wings (aka party wings) cook quickly, especially if using an air fryer. This chicken wing recipe is finger lickin’ good just bare but toss them in your favorite sauce to make buffalo wings, garlic parmesan wings or sticky Asian wings. dipping a keto avocado fry into ranch dressing One of the easiest and best ways to cook wings is in the air fryer. Chicken wings cooked in an air fryer create an extra crispy crust on the outside to seal in the juicy chicken meat inside. A simple toss in the mildly spicy seasoning and you’re ready to cook. Clean up is just as easy when using an air fryer. I simply place my air fryer basket in the dishwasher when I’m finished. No need to clean out an oil fryer or oil splatter. Or a large baking sheet if baking in the oven.

WHAT MY COMMUNITY SAYS ABOUT THIS RECIPE

“Chicken wings were amazing!!! So juicy and delicious. I recommend dipping with bleu cheese sauce.”

➥ from YouTube subscriber @veronicalyons9695

 

Can you eat chicken wings on keto?

Yes, chicken wings are a great fit for keto! Chicken wings are loved by many on the keto diet as they have near-perfect fat and protein ratios, are low in carbohydrates and taste amazing. Most people on a low-carb diet eat chicken wings for the crispy chicken skin. The skin contains most of the fat. The fat is composed of saturated fatty acids and a healthy monounsaturated fat called oleic acid. This fatty acid is also found in olive oil.
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Keto Air Fryer Chicken Wings

4.8 (34) Prep 5m Cook 30m Total 35m 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 20 party chicken wings (~ 2 lbs)
  • 3-4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • couple dashes of black pepper

Step by Step Instructions

Step by Step Instructions

1
Get the flavor

Combine the chicken wing seasonings in a small bowl – chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper

Annie from KetoFocus holding a bowl of seasoning over the chicken wings lined in a baking sheet.
Tip If you are going to coat wings in a sauce, or you are looking for a crispier wing add 1 tablespoon of baking powder to the seasoning.
Ingredients for this step
  • 4 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • black pepper (couple dashes)
2
Coat the wings

Place the wings in the ziplock bag. Add olive oil and seasoning. Shake the bag until evenly coated.

Annie from KetoFocus shaking a bag of chicken wings.
Tip Alternatively, add the chicken, oil, and seasoning to a bowl and toss to combine.
Ingredients for this step
  • 2 lbs party wings
  • 3-4 tablespoons olive oil or neutral oil
3
Prep the air fryer

Preheat the to 380 °F air fryer as instructed on by your air fryer.

An air fryer preheating at 380 degrees.
4
Air fry the chicken wings

Place all the wings in the air fryer basket. Cook at 380 °F for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through. Toss the wings every 5 minutes.

Party wings coated with seasoning sitting in an air fryer basket.
Tip Air fryer brands vary on cook time. Check your manufacturer's instructions or just check the wings after 15 minutes.
5
Alternative cook method: oven instructions

Spread the wings out on a baking tray lined with a cooling wire rack that has been sprayed lightly with cooking spray. This prevents the skin from sticking to the bottom and allows for the bottom of the wing to crisp up too since air can reach it. Bake the wings at 400 °F for 45 – 60 minutes. You can turn the wings after 30 minutes to ensure even baking and crispiness. Baked wings in the oven still turn out great if done right, and I highly recommend trying them even if you own an air fryer.

A stovetop oven in a white kitchen.
Tip If you don't have an air fryer, this recipe works great in an oven too.
Nutrition Per Serving
472 Calories
35.9g Fat
30.6g Protein
1.3g Net Carbs
2.4g Total Carbs
4 Servings
Nutrition disclaimer

The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.

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Close up photo showing air fried crispy chicken wings on a tray.

Benefits of cooking wings in an air fryer

  • Crispy chicken – Air fryers produce a circulating forced hot air as opposed to traditional ovens which just heat without the circulation. This is what achieves that perfect crunchy skin. The crispy skin helps to lock in the moisture inside creating a juicy chicken wing.
  • Clean up is easier – Using an air fryer over the conventional oven or an oil fryer minimizes the dishes. The mess is contained to the basket so there is no grease splatter or giant tray to wash by hand afterwards. Most air fryer baskets are dishwasher safe too.
My family loves our air fryer. It’s one appliance my kids can easily use. They cook everything from hot dogs to breakfast sausage in the air fryer.

Chicken wings vs party wings (drumettes or wingettes)

If you grab a package of chicken wings, they may be a large whole wing instead of the small drumstick and flat wings that you are used to seeing. You should be able to find the smaller party wings in the meat section of the grocery store or in the freezer section.  Party wings are the ones used in this recipe. They consist of a drumette and wingette. The drumette looks like a miniature drumstick and tends to have more meat than skin. It is also easy to hold because of the bone on the bottom, so your fingers don’t get as messy. The other type of chicken wing is called the wingette, a flatter piece that has more skin than meat. If you can’t find party wings, you can use the whole chicken wing and cut them into these smaller pieces using a knife. Cut at the two joints and discard the wing tip – which has very little meat. 
A chicken wing with dotted lines showing the separation of drumette from wingette/flat and tip.

Air fry frozen chicken wings

Forgot to thaw your wings? This recipe works if you have frozen chicken wings.
  • Toss the wings in the marinade then place in the air fryer basket.
  • Cook at 350 °F for 10 minutes first.
  • Then increase the temperature to 380 °F for 25 – 30 minutes.

Tips for extra crispy chicken wings

Want the crispiest, crunchiest wings like you get at a restaurant? Follow these tips.
  • For extra crispy wings, spray the air fryer basket first with cooking spray. Not only will this help prevent the skin from sticking to the basket, but a little bit of oil will aid in crisping up the skin.
  • Another option is cooking your wings at a lower temperature to start (350 degrees) and then increase to 380 degrees for the last 15 minutes.
  • Remember to shake the basket every 5 minutes to allow for even cooking so that all sides are getting crispy.
Coat with baking powder or cornstarch prior to air frying.

Reheating chicken wings in an air fryer

If you have leftover chicken wings, you can reheat them in the air fryer to still have perfectly cooked, crispy wings the next day. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray, add your wings and air fry at 380 °F for 3 to 5 minutes.

Sauces for your chicken wings

I love to eat plain wings, but they’re also delicious dipped into your favorite sauce. Here are some I keep in regular rotation.
Keto Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Frequently Asked Questions

How many carbs are in keto chicken wings?

Chicken wings are naturally low in carbs. This recipe has only 1.3g net carbs per serving. Just watch the sauce - BBQ and some Asian sauces can add up fast.

How do I make keto buffalo chicken wings?

Follow this recipe as written, but add 1 teaspoon of baking powder in Step 1 so the wings absorb more sauce. Once they're done, toss them in a bowl with buffalo wing sauce. You can put them back in the air fryer for a minute or two to set the sauce. I like to sprinkle cayenne pepper on top for extra heat.

If I order wings at a restaurant, will they be keto?

It depends. Ask the server how the wings are prepared. If they're breaded, skip them - they'll be coated in flour, cornstarch, or breadcrumbs. Buffalo Wild Wings is a solid option, especially their bare or plain wings.

Are chicken wings gluten-free?

Yes, plain chicken wings are naturally gluten-free. This recipe doesn't include any gluten-containing ingredients. Just watch out for breaded wings at restaurants - those typically contain gluten unless stated otherwise.

About the Author
Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie is a Doctor of Pharmacy, mom, and the recipe creator behind KetoFocus. With a B.S. in Genetics from UC Davis, she has over 14 years of experience developing family-friendly keto recipes based on the science of human metabolism.

Learn more about Annie View My Cookbook

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Reviews 9
4.8 Stars (34 Reviews)
  1. O
    Olivia T. May 2, 2025

    These wings came out great in the air fryer. I tossed them every 5 minutes like suggested and it really helped with the crispiness. I added just a bit more garlic powder and they were perfect.

    Reply
  2. T
    Travis Apr 9, 2025

    These wings came out super crispy, even without flipping too often. I added a little paprika to the seasoning mix and it worked great.

    Reply
  3. K
    Kate Jul 26, 2024

    These are delicious and easy to make! I made these wings for the first time tonight, my husband and I agree that they are some of the best we have had. I like things a little less spicy so we used 2 tsp of chili powder and an extra tsp of the garlic powder.

    Reply
  4. L
    Lilly Oct 19, 2023

    The chicken wings were excellent. I added oat fiber to the seasoning mix to help them crisp up.

    Reply
  5. L
    Lilly Oct 19, 2023

    I came here for the wings recipe but got sold on the corn dogs! It never occurred to me to wrap them in keto dough. Of course, IRL I don't eat corn dogs but now I just might!

    Reply
  6. W
    Wendy Feb 13, 2022

    These wings were the bomb!, made them for Super Bowl and they were a hit. The only thing I added was “Slap your Mama” Cajun seasoning (1 tsp) to kick things up a notch. Thanks for a great recipe!

    Reply
  7. S
    Sara Daws Jan 2, 2022

    I don't follow keto, but I used your recipe (recommended from my mom). I coated in different sauces when done! Finger lickin' good!

    Reply
    1. Annie Lampella
      Annie Jan 9, 2022

      Hi Sara. Thank you for your message. Lots of the recipes here are keto already.. meaning no tweaks from the traditional recipe to make it that way. Thanks for stopping in!

      Reply
  8. C
    Crystal Jan 17, 2021

    They turned out soooo good. I’ll definitely make them again in the Air Fryer

    Reply

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