If you love crispy, juicy wings with a kick of spice and a touch of sweetness, these Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Wings are a must-try. They’re bold, full of Jamaican-inspired flavors, and come together quickly in the air fryer—no deep frying needed! Perfect for game nights, parties, or whenever you’re craving something a little different from your usual wing recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- No oil splatter or deep frying—the air fryer makes them crispy with less mess.
- Sweet, spicy, and smoky flavors in every bite.
- Cooks in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for weeknights.
- Works with fresh or frozen wings—just adjust the cooking time.
Ingredients
The full list of ingredients is below, but here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll need:
- Chicken wings – drumettes and flats for the best texture
- Jerk seasoning – brings the heat and island spice
- Brown sugar or honey – balances out the spice with a hint of sweetness
- Soy sauce – adds depth and umami
- Garlic and ginger – for extra flavor
- Lime juice – brightens up the seasoning
- Olive oil – helps coat the wings for even crisping
How to Make Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Wings
Step 1: Season the Wings
Pat the wings dry with a paper towel. In a large bowl, mix the jerk seasoning, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, lime juice, and olive oil. Toss the wings in the marinade until fully coated. Let them sit for at least 15 minutes (or longer for deeper flavor).
Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and let it preheat for a few minutes.
Step 3: Arrange the Wings
Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd them—work in batches if needed.
Step 4: Cook Until Crispy
Air fry for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. If you like them extra crispy, increase the temperature to 400°F for the last few minutes.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Once done, drizzle with extra lime juice and garnish with fresh herbs or chopped green onions. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- For the best flavor, marinate overnight—but if you’re short on time, 15 minutes works too.
- Use homemade jerk seasoning if you want more control over the spice level.
- Make them extra crispy by patting the wings dry before seasoning.
- Want extra heat? Add more Scotch bonnet pepper or cayenne to the seasoning.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- No air fryer? Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Prefer boneless? Use chicken tenders instead, adjusting the cooking time.
- Mild Version: Reduce the jerk seasoning and add a little more brown sugar.
- Smokier Flavor: Add a touch of smoked paprika to the seasoning mix.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
These jerk wings pair perfectly with cool dips like ranch or blue cheese, but if you want to keep the Caribbean theme, serve them with coconut rice, plantains, or a side of mango salsa. A cold drink, like a pineapple rum cocktail or a simple lime soda, balances out the spice beautifully.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Pop them back in the air fryer at 375°F for 5 minutes to keep them crispy.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen wings?
Yes! Just add 5 extra minutes to the cooking time and shake the basket halfway through.
2. What if I don’t have jerk seasoning?
Make your own with allspice, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and smoked paprika.
3. How do I make them spicier?
Add extra Scotch bonnet pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the marinade.
4. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Marinate the wings ahead and keep them in the fridge until ready to cook.
Conclusion
These Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Wings are crispy, bold, and packed with flavor—all without the hassle of deep frying. Whether you’re making them for a quick snack, a party, or just because you love wings, they’re guaranteed to be a hit. Try them out and let me know what you think!
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Crispy Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Wings with a Sweet & Spicy Kick
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (+30 minutes marinating)
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings (adjusted to 6-8 for a larger batch) 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Main Dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Caribbean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Easy Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Wings are packed with bold Caribbean flavors, featuring a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and sweet notes. Marinated in a homemade jerk seasoning and air-fried to crispy perfection, these wings make an irresistible appetizer or main dish. The air fryer ensures a crunchy outside while keeping the inside juicy and tender—without the need for deep frying!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken wings
- 4 tablespoons Walkerswood Jerk Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken wings, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and jerk seasoning. Make sure wings are well coated. I used my hands to really mix everything together, but of course, be careful when handling raw meat.
- Place bowl in refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Place marinated wings in air fryer basket in a single layer. A single layer helps to make sure the wings get evenly cooked and don’t become soggy. You may have to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Set air fryer temperature to 400°F and set timer to 20 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, using tongs, carefully flip wings.
- After the timer goes off, as long as the internal temperature of the chicken has reached at least 165°F carefully remove the wings from the air fryer basket and allow to cool to a reasonable level before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add extra cayenne or scotch bonnet pepper to the marinade.
- To make a sticky glaze, toss the cooked wings in a mix of honey and jerk seasoning.
- If using frozen wings, add 5-7 minutes to the cooking time and shake the basket frequently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~5 wings
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: ~420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
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