Air Fryer Honey Garlic Wings

There’s nothing quite like the irresistible combination of crispy chicken wings coated in a sticky, sweet, and garlicky glaze. These Air Fryer Honey Garlic Wings take everything you love about traditional wings — the crunch, the flavor, the glaze — and make them lighter, faster, and easier with the magic of an air fryer.

In this recipe, juicy chicken wings are air-fried to golden perfection, then tossed in a luscious honey garlic sauce that perfectly balances sweet and savory notes. The honey caramelizes slightly, giving the wings a glossy, mouthwatering finish that’s impossible to resist.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it delivers crispy, sticky, finger-licking goodness with minimal effort. The air fryer crisps up the wings so beautifully that you’d never guess they weren’t fried in oil. The honey garlic sauce — with its glossy sweetness and subtle garlicky punch — clings to every piece, creating an addictive bite every single time.

Plus, the entire process is fuss-free. No oil splatters, no complicated steps — just simple ingredients that come together beautifully. It’s comfort food made modern, light, and fast!

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

These Air Fryer Honey Garlic Wings are a must-try because they show how easy it is to get restaurant-quality flavor at home — crispy on the outside, tender inside, and coated with an incredible glaze that hits all the right notes: sweet, savory, sticky, and aromatic.

They’re perfect for:

• Family dinners and gatherings.
• Game day snacks.
• Quick weeknight meals.
• Impressing guests without spending hours in the kitchen.

And best of all, they’re healthier than deep-fried wings — same crunch, less guilt!

Preparation & Cooking Time

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes

Servings & Nutrition

• Servings: 4
• Calories: Approximately 310 calories per serving
• Course: Appetizer / Snack / Main Course
• Cuisine: American-Asian Fusion

Ingredients

For the Wings:

• 2 lbs (900 g) chicken wings, separated into flats and drumettes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

• ⅓ cup honey
• 3 tbsp soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1½ tsp garlic paste)
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tsp water (for thickening)
• ½ tsp chili flakes (optional, for a slight kick)

Cooking Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Wings

1. Pat chicken wings dry using paper towels. This ensures they crisp up nicely in the air fryer.
2. In a large mixing bowl, toss the wings with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until well coated.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

3. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 3 minutes.

Step 3: Air Fry the Wings

4. Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding; cook in batches if necessary.
5. Air fry for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through (at 10 minutes).
6. After 20 minutes, increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook for an additional 5 minutes to make the skin extra crispy.

Step 4: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce

7. While the wings cook, prepare the sauce.
   • In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, soy sauce, garlic, vinegar, and chili flakes (if using).
   • Bring to a gentle simmer.
   • Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry, then add it to the sauce.
   • Stir continuously for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.

Step 5: Combine and Glaze

8. Once the wings are cooked, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the honey garlic sauce over them and toss until all wings are evenly coated.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

9. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired. Serve hot and enjoy the sticky, flavorful goodness!

Step-by-Step Summary

1. Dry & Season → Pat wings dry, toss with oil and spices.
2. Air Fry (Round 1) → 380°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
3. Crisp (Round 2) → 400°F for 5 minutes.
4. Make Sauce → Simmer honey, soy sauce, garlic, and vinegar; thicken with cornstarch slurry.
5. Toss & Coat → Mix crispy wings with sauce until fully glazed.
6. Serve → Sprinkle sesame seeds or scallions for garnish.

Save it

How to Serve

Serve Air Fryer Honey Garlic Wings hot and fresh, right after tossing them in sauce. They pair beautifully with:

• Steamed jasmine rice or fried rice.
• Fresh vegetable sticks (carrot, celery, cucumber).
• A simple salad for balance.
• As an appetizer alongside ranch or spicy mayo dip.
• For a meal, add a side of garlic noodles or roasted potatoes.

Recipe Tips

• Pat wings dry: This ensures maximum crispiness.
• Flip halfway through: Guarantees even browning.
• Don’t over-sauce: Coat just before serving to prevent sogginess.
• Control sweetness: Adjust honey to taste — more for sweetness, less for savory flavor.
• For extra stickiness: Let sauced wings sit for 2–3 minutes before serving — the glaze will thicken naturally.

Recipe Variations

1. Spicy Honey Garlic Wings: Add 1–2 tsp sriracha or chili paste to the sauce for heat.
2. Ginger Honey Garlic Wings: Add 1 tsp freshly grated ginger to the sauce for an aromatic twist.
3. Lemon Honey Garlic Wings: Add 1 tsp lemon zest and a splash of lemon juice for brightness.
4. Asian Sesame Wings: Mix a teaspoon of sesame oil into the sauce and garnish with toasted sesame seeds.
5. Honey BBQ Garlic Wings: Combine half BBQ sauce and half honey garlic sauce for a smoky, tangy hybrid.

Freezing & Storage

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
• Freezing: Once completely cooled, freeze wings (unsauced) in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag. They last up to 3 months.
• Reheating:
  • Air fryer: 370°F for 5–6 minutes.
  • Oven: 375°F for 10–12 minutes.
  • Microwave: 1–2 minutes (less crispy).
  • If frozen, thaw overnight before reheating.

Special Equipment Needed

• Air fryer (preferably 4 qt or larger)
• Mixing bowls
• Saucepan
• Tongs
• Paper towels
• Silicone brush (optional, for glazing)

Conclusion

These Air Fryer Honey Garlic Wings are a perfect fusion of sweet, savory, and crispy goodness — the ultimate comfort food with a modern twist. Whether you’re hosting a party, treating yourself, or feeding the family, these wings are guaranteed to be a hit.

With their golden crisp texture, rich glaze, and bold flavors, they prove that you don’t need deep frying to achieve perfection. Once you make these, they’ll become a staple in your air fryer rotation — delicious, easy, and utterly addictive!

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Wings

There’s nothing quite like the irresistible combination of crispy chicken wings coated in a sticky, sweet, and garlicky glaze. These Air Fryer Honey Garlic Wings take everything you love about traditional wings — the crunch, the flavor, the glaze — and make them lighter, faster, and easier with the magic of an air fryer.

Author: Stella Parker Cuisine: American Course: Appetizer & Snacks

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Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 25 mins Total Time 35 mins Difficulty: Beginner Servings: 4

Ingredients

Servings

For the Wings:

• 2 lbs (900 g)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

• ⅓ cup honey
• 3 tbsp soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1½ tsp garlic paste)
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp 1 cornstarch + 1 tsp water (for thickening)
• ½ tsp chili flakes (optional, for a slight kick)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the Wings : Pat chicken wings dry using paper towels. This ensures they crisp up nicely in the air fryer. In a large mixing bowl, toss the wings with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until well coated.
2. Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer : Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 3 minutes.
3. Step 3: Air Fry the Wings : Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding; cook in batches if necessary. Air fry for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through (at 10 minutes). After 20 minutes, increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook for an additional 5 minutes to make the skin extra crispy.
4. Step 4: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce : While the wings cook, prepare the sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, soy sauce, garlic, vinegar, and chili flakes (if using). Bring to a gentle simmer. Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry, then add it to the sauce. Stir continuously for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
5. Step 5: Combine and Glaze : Once the wings are cooked, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the honey garlic sauce over them and toss until all wings are evenly coated.
6. Step 6: Serve and Enjoy : Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired. Serve hot and enjoy the sticky, flavorful goodness!

Keywords: Air Fryer Honey Garlic Wings