These sweet and sour chicken wings are cooked in an air fryer until perfectly crispy, then tossed in a sticky and flavorful sweet and sour sauce!
If you're looking for crispy and juicy chicken wings with a mouthwatering homemade sauce that perfectly balance sweetness and tanginess, these sweet and sour chicken wings will satisfy your cravings! They are quick, easy, and healthier than traditional deep-fried wings. Whether you are hosting a game day party or searching for appetizer ideas, this recipe will sure become a crowd favorite!
Want more air fryer chicken recipe? Try Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken! Prefer traditional deep fried chicken? Make my Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Using an air fryer means less mess and less prep time. You can make these sweet and savory chicken wings in less than 30 minutes.
- Lighter and Healthier: The air fryer ensures that these wings come out golden and crispy without the excess oil and fat, making them a lighter and healthier alternatives to traditional deep-fried wings.
- Better Sauce: The homemade sauce is easy to make and tastes better than store bought sauce. The best part? You can adjust the flavors based on your liking, without added preservatives.
Ingredients
- Chicken Wings
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
- Sugar
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Pineapple Juice
- Ketchup
- Soy Sauce
- Cornstarch
- Water
- Green Onion (for garnish)
- Sesame Seeds (for garnish)
Equipment
Instructions
- Prep the Wings: Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel. In a bowl, combine chicken wings, baking powder, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix until the wings are evenly coated.
- Air Fry the Wings: Preheat the air fryer to 380F. Place chicken wings in the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes. Flip them, and cook for another 10 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.
- Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, pineapple juice, ketchup, and soy sauce. Bring to a simmer, then add cornstarch slurry. Cook until sauce is thickened.
- Toss the Wings: Pour sweet and sour sauce over the chicken wings. Toss gently to coat each wing evenly in the sauce.
Optional: Transfer the coated wings to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2 minutes at 400F for extra glossy glaze.
Garnish with green onions and white sesame seeds. Serve hot and enjoy!
Pro Tips
- Crispier Wings: To ensure that golden and crispy wings, make sure to pat them dry before seasoning. Another key ingredients for crispy skin is BAKING POWDER. Baking powder helps draw moisture and creates tiny air bubbles that expand the surface area, resulting in a crispier texture when cooked.
- Cooking Time Variations: Depending on the type of air fryer you have, or the size of the chicken wings, you might need to adjust the cooking time slightly. If the skin isn't crispy enough, add more cooking time to your air fryer. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165F (74C).
Recipe Video
Storage
It is best to enjoy these air fryer sweet and sour chicken wings immediately. However, you can store the leftover chicken wings in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Make sure you also tag me @onehappybite on Instagram and hashtag it #onehappybite so I can see your creations!
Recipe
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Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Wings
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 22
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These sweet and sour chicken wings are cooked in an air fryer until perfectly crispy, then tossed in a sticky and flavorful sweet and sour sauce!
Ingredients
Chicken Wings
- 2 lb chicken wings
- 1 tbsp baking power
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
Sweet and Sour Sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup pineapple juice
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water
Garnish
- 1 green onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp white sesame seeds
Instructions
- Start by patting the chicken wings dry with a paper towel. Mix the chicken wings with baking powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika, until the wings are evenly coated.
- Preheat your air fryer at 380F. Place the chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the wings are golden brown and crispy.
- To make the sauce, combine brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, pineapple juice, ketchup, and soy sauce in a small pan. Bring it to a simmer, then add cornstarch slurry (mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water). Whisk and cook for another minute until the sauce is thickened.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken wings and toss gently to coat each wing evenly with the sauce.
- Transfer the coated wings to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2 minutes at 400F for extra glossy glaze.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and white sesame seeds. Serve hot and enjoy!
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