Air Fryer Turkey Wings

Air Fryer Turkey Wings! This effortless turkey wing-making technique produces perfectly seasoned, irresistible crispy skins and extra juicy dark meat turkey.

When it comes to carved turkey, turkey breasts tend to get most of the attention, but there’s another all-white meat cut of the bird that’s less expensive yet equally as tasty -the wings! Fun fact: turkeys aren’t big on flying, so they mainly move around on foot. As a result, the leg meat is dark, and the wing meat is white.

Thanks to air fryers like the Ninja Foodi, cooking crispy turkey wings has never been easier or more efficient. No matter your skill level, with this air fryer turkey wings recipe, you’ll make wings that are golden and crispy on the surface and succulent in the center.

These step-by-step instructions will teach you how to cook two pounds of turkey wings yielding the ideal portion of tender dark meat for a small Thanksgiving dinner. However, the ease of this recipe makes traditional holiday fare accessible any day of the year!

❤ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ease. Air frying is a fuss-free way to cook turkey and an excellent method for beginners.
• Convenience. This is the perfect portion of turkey for two and is less expensive than turkey breast.
• Flexibility. These crispy turkey wings are like super-sized chicken wings! The sauce and dry rub options are endless.
• They’re healthy! Turkey wings are low carb, high protein, and a great option for carnivore, keto, paleo, and Whole30.

🍗 Ingredients You’ll Need

• Turkey wings – The wing portion spans from the plump drumette piece to the wing tip with a meaty flat section in the middle. They are sold whole and separated. Feel free to cook the whole wings, or you can easily separate them yourself. Alternatively, you can remove the wings directly off the Thanksgiving turkey to toss them in the air fryer.
• Avocado Oil – This is my go-to quality, high-heat cooking oil. Learn more about selecting the best oil for air frying here.
• Spices & Seasonings – Salt, pepper, and garlic powder enhance the naturally savory, pleasantly gamey flavor. Keep reading for more yummy options.

📖 How To Make Turkey Wings In The Air Fryer

1️⃣ Prep and preheat. Set the turkey wings at room temperature to take the chill off for about 10-12 minutes before you’re ready to begin cooking. Then, pat them completely dry with paper towels. Set the air fryer to 375°F, and let it preheat for 3-5 minutes.

2️⃣ Coat with oil and seasonings. While the air fryer preheats, drizzle the oil over the dry wings and use your hands to rub the oil all over the skin. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, distributing the seasonings evenly.

3️⃣ Cook turkey wings in the air fryer. Place the wings in the preheated basket, and set the timer for 30 minutes. At the 15-minute mark, use tongs to flip, and continue cooking for 10-15 minutes (or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.)

For extra crispy skin, turn the heat up to 400°F and let the wings cook for an additional 3-5 minutes.

4️⃣ Let rest and serve. Remove the wings with tongs, and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving with your favorite sides. Enjoy!

👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe Tips

• Soak the wings in brine or turkey marinade. This is totally optional, but it will deepen the flavor and make the wings more tender than they already are.
• To achieve crispy skins, turkey wings must come to room temperature and be patted completely dry before adding them to the preheated air fryer basket.
• The wings need wiggle room, so no stacking or overcrowding. If your air fryer isn’t large enough to fit the whole wing, separate the wings with a sharp knife and work in batches if necessary.
• Save the drippings. You can make a small batch of gravy to smother your wings in!
• The time and temperature may vary on account of how big your wings are and the functionality of your air fryer. So keep an eye on the wings and adjust the temp and timing as needed.
• The safe internal temperature of turkey wings is 165F. I recommend using a meat thermometer to check for doneness. You can remove them from the air fryer when they’re a few degrees cooler as the temperature will continue to rise while they rest.

🧂 Seasoning Ideas

If a sauce, dry rub, or spice blend is delicious with chicken wings, it’s guaranteed to taste great with turkey wings. These are some of the many ways to switch up the flavor.

• Dry wings – Toss with poultry seasoning, Tajin, Cajun seasoning, herbes de Provence, mushroom salt, lemon pepper, Old Bay, Jamaican jerk rub, or dry BBQ rub.
• Wet wings – If you prefer saucy wings, you can toss them in your favorite marinades and wing sauces while they’re still hot and crispy. Buffalo, honey mustard, BBQ, garlic parmesan, Korean BBQ, Thai chili, blackened ranch, teriyaki, and habanero ranch are just a few of the many options.

🍽 Recommended Sides

Serve your turkey wings buffalo wing-style with celery, carrots, and a side of ranch or blue cheese, or prepare a delicious holiday meal with these healthy sides:

• Air Fryer Mashed Potatoes
• Sugar-free Cranberry Sauce
• Gluten-free Stuffing
• Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole
• Keto Green Bean Casserole

🧊 Storing & Reheating

Storing: Turkey wings are best-enjoyed hot from the air fryer. If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, let them cool and refrigerate in an airtight container or zip-top bag for 3-4 days.

Freezing: Cooked turkey wings can also be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating: Return the wings to the air fryer and reheat at 370F for 5-7 minutes, until the skin is crispy and the meat is warmed.

❔ FAQ

🥩 More Meat to Make in the Air Fryer

• Shake and Bake Chicken
• Shake and Bake Pork Chops
• Buffalo Pork Chops
• Air Fryer Shredded Chicken
• Air Fryer Bratwurst
• Air Fryer Chicken Legs