These air fryer turkey wings are crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and full of flavor from a simple dry rub. They cook in about 25 minutes, which makes them an easy option for a weeknight dinner, a hearty appetizer, or a smaller Thanksgiving meal.
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Looking for more easy air fryer recipes? Check out my Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Bone-In Pork Chops, and Air Fryer Carrots.
Recipe at a Glance
- Flavor: Savory, smoky, and slightly sweet
- Texture: Crispy skin with tender, juicy meat
- Cook time: About 25 minutes
- Best for: Easy dinners, game day, or a small-batch turkey recipe
- My favorite way to serve them: With cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables
Crispy turkey wings without turning on the oven
One of the things I love most about the air fryer is how quickly it can give you that roasted, crispy skin without the long cooking time of a whole turkey in the oven. That is exactly what I wanted with these turkey wings: deeply seasoned skin on the outside and juicy meat underneath.
I had already made plenty of Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings, so I was curious to see how turkey wings would compare. Since turkey wings are larger and meatier, they need a little more time, but they crisp up perfectly as long as you dry them well, season them generously, and leave space around each piece in the basket.
I like serving these with my 3 Ingredient Cranberry Sauce when I want them to feel a little more holiday-inspired, but they are just as good with Dill Mashed Potatoes, Air Fryer Roasted Root Vegetables, or a simple dipping sauce if I am serving them more casually.
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Ingredient Notes
You only need a few ingredients for this recipe, but a couple of details make a big difference.
- Turkey wings. I recommend buying split turkey wings if you can find them. They cook more evenly and save you the extra prep. If you buy whole wings, you can split them at the joint with kitchen shears or a sharp knife.
- Olive oil. A light coating of oil helps the seasoning stick and helps the skin brown nicely. Avocado oil works well too.
- Dry rub. I like using my homemade Chicken Dry Rub with brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, chili powder, seasoning salt, black pepper, and roasted garlic seasoning. It adds plenty of flavor and helps create that deep golden color on the skin. You can also use my Homemade Turkey Rub, Pork Rub, or your favorite spice rub.
How to Air Fry Turkey Wings
Prep the wings. Preheat your air fryer to 380F. Pat the turkey wings dry very well with paper towels. This helps the skin crisp instead of steam. If your wings are whole, split them first. (Image 1).
Oil the wings. Brush or spray the wings lightly with olive oil, coating all sides. (Image 2).
Season generously: Mix the dry rub in a small bowl, then season the turkey wings well all over. I like to press the seasoning into the skin and into the folds of the wing so every bite has flavor. (Image 3).
Arrange in the basket: Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer with a little space between them. Good airflow is what gives you that crisp exterior, so do not overcrowd the basket. If needed, cook them in batches. (Image 4).
Air fry: Cook for 25 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through. (Image 5).
Check for doneness: The wings are done when the skin is browned and crisp and the internal temperature reaches 165F in the thickest part with a meat thermometer. (Image 6).
Note: In my experience, the drumette portion usually takes a bit longer than the flatter part of the wing, so I always check the thickest piece first. If needed, cook the larger pieces another 1 to 3 minutes. If the wings are browning too quickly before the inside is done, lower the temperature slightly for the last few minutes.
Rest and serve: Let the wings rest for 5 minutes before serving so the juices stay in the meat. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce, or with Cranberry Sauce for a more classic turkey pairing.
A Great Use for the Drippings
If your air fryer collects drippings in the bottom, do not waste them. I like to pour them into a small saucepan and thicken them with a slurry made from 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water. It makes a quick gravy that is especially good if you are serving these wings with mashed potatoes or other comfort-food sides.
Variations
Here are a few variations that work especially well with turkey wings:
- Smoky-spiced: Add smoked paprika or a little Cajun seasoning for a deeper, bolder flavor.
- Holiday-style: Increase the brown sugar slightly and serve with cranberry sauce for a sweet-savory finish.
- Sauced after cooking: Toss the wings in barbecue sauce after air frying so the skin stays crisp.
What to serve with air fryer turkey wings
I like serving these with simple sides that balance the richness of the turkey, such as:
- Twice-Baked Mashed Potatoes
- Air Fryer Roasted Root Vegetables
- Cucumber Salad with Mayo
- Whole30 Cranberry Sauce
- Coleslaw with Miracle Whip
They also work well with ranch or blue cheese dressing if you are serving them as an appetizer.
Storage and reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftover turkey wings in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
- To reheat: Air fry at 380 degrees F for 4 to 5 minutes, or until heated through. This keeps the skin much crispier than reheating in the microwave.
FAQs
Flip them halfway through, and check the larger pieces near the end of cooking. If one wing is much bigger than the others, remove the smaller ones first and let the larger one cook a little longer.
I like using the air fryer for turkey wings because it gives you crispy skin much faster than oven roasting, and it is perfect when you want a smaller batch without turning on the oven.
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Printable Recipe
Air Fryer Turkey Wings
Ingredients
- 2½ pounds turkey wings, split
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons dry rub seasoning (recipe below) (or your favorite seasoning)
Dry Rub Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon roasted garlic and peppers seasoning a Clubhouse seasoning
- ⅔ teaspoon paprika
- ⅔ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅓ teaspoon chili powder
- ⅓ teaspoon seasoning salt
- ⅙ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380℉.
- Pat the turkey wings dry with paper towels. Brush or spray with olive oil, coating all sides.
- In a small bowl, mix the dry rub ingredients. Season the turkey wings generously all over, making sure to get into the folds and crevices.
- Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between them for airflow. Air fry for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking.
- The wings are done when they are browned and crisp on the outside and the internal temperature reaches 165℉ in the thickest part.
- Let the wings rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or cranberry sauce.
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Notes
- Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the basket.
- The thicker drumette portion may need an extra 1 to 3 minutes.
- If the wings are browning too quickly, lower the temperature slightly for the last few minutes.
- For a quick gravy, pour the drippings into a saucepan and thicken with a slurry of 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
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