Air Fryer Gochujang Honey Chicken Wings

Name: Air Fryer Gochujang Honey Chicken Wings
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 lb chicken wings or drumsticks; 1 tbsp neutral oil (such as avocado oil); 3 tbsp cornstarch; 1 tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp salt; ½ tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp brown sugar; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp water; 1 tbsp rice vinegar; 1 tbsp gochujang; 1 tbsp honey; 2 clove garlic, minced; 1 tsp gochugaru

by Christian Ou on January 6, 2025

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Gochujang Honey Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer are a great way to enjoy juicy, sweet, and spicy chicken wings with less oil, making it a healthier alternative to traditional frying. Plus, it is quick and easy to prepare – perfect for weeknight dinners or game day!

My husband and I love ordering Korean fried chicken, it is always our go-to comfort food. However, making it at home with the air fryer has been such a game-changer! Not only is it super easy to prepare, but it also saves us money compared to ordering takeout. Plus, the air fryer gives an healthier option that doesn’t sacrifice any of the flavor! My husband is obsessed with this recipe and often asks for it!

If you like air fryer recipes, you need to check out AIR FRYER SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN WINGS and AIR FRYER TERIYAKI CHICKEN!

WHAT IS GOCHUJANG?

Gochujang is a traditional Korean red chili paste, made with gochugaru (Korean chili powder), fermented soybeans, glutinous rice, and salt. It has a deep vibrant red color and a complex flavor profile that is both spicy and slightly sweet. This paste is a staple in Korean cuisines, adding bold and spicy flavors to dishes like tteokbokki, rabokki, budae jjigae, and marinades for meats. You can also use gochujang in dishes like my gochujang creamy udon noodles, and soup dumplings in creamy gochujang sauce.

Ingredients

Chicken Wings or Drumsticks
Neutral Oil
Cornstarch or Potato Starch
Garlic Powder
Salt
Black Pepper
Brown Sugar
Soy Sauce
Water
Rice Vinegar
Gochujang
Honey
Garlic
Gochugaru

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

coat chicken wings with neutral oil for Air Fryer Gochujang Honey Chicken Wings

Step 1: Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towel, then coat them with oil.

coat chicken wings with cornstarch, garlic powder, salt and black pepper for gochujang honey chicken wings

Step 2: Season the wings with cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

place chicken wings in air fryer basket for gochujang honey chicken wings

Step 3: Preheat your air fryer at 400F. Place the chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket

Cook gochujang honey chicken wings in the air fryer for 20 minutes at 400F

Step 4: Cook for 10 minutes, flip them, then cook for another 20 minutes until both sides are golden brown and crispy.

Step 5: Mix all the sauce ingredients in a small pan. Bring it to a simmer and cook until the sauce is thickened.

coat air fryer gochujang honey chicken wings with sauce

Step 6: Pour the sauce over the chicken wings and toss to coat each wing evenly.

coat each chicken wing evenly with gochujang honey sauce

Serve and Enjoy

Sprinkle some white sesame seeds on top. Serve hot and enjoy!

Recipe Video

Substitutions

Honey: You can swap honey with maple syrup or agave syrup if you prefer.
Soy Sauce: Tamari can be used as a gluten-free alternative, or you can substitute coconut amino for a soy-free version.
Rice Vinegar: you can substitute with apple cider vinegar, thought the sauce will taste slightly different.
Garlic: I always love adding tons of garlic to my recipes. If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use garlic powder instead.

Equipment

Air Fryer

Storage and Reheat Instructions

It is best to enjoy these air fryer gochujang honey chicken wings immediately. However, you can store the leftover chicken wings in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To reheat, place the chicken wings back in the air fryer at 350F for 5 minutes until it is heated through and crispy. You can also microwave until the chicken is warm.

Top Tips

Preheat your air fryer. Preheating your air fryer prior to cooking the chicken can help ensure that the chicken will cook evenly and get that crispy texture.
Avoid overcrowding. Place the chicken wings in single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space in between. Air fryers work by circulating hot air, so crowded pieces may not cook evenly.
Adjust heating time. Depending on the size of your chicken pieces, cooking time may varies. For bigger chicken pieces, they may need few extra minutes in the air fryer.
Adjust the heat level. If you prefer spicier version, add more gochujang or gochugaru. If you prefer milder wings, you can reduce the amount of gochujang or omit gochugaru, or add more honey for a sweeter taste.

Recipe