Air Fryer Sweet Chili Chicken Wings - Crispy & Sticky
These Air Fryer Sweet Chili Chicken Wings are crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside, and covered in a sticky homemade garlic chili sauce. A light coating of cornstarch helps the wings turn beautifully golden without deep-frying, while paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder add plenty of savory flavor. Once cooked, the wings are tossed with butter, minced garlic, sweet chili sauce, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lemon or lime for the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, tangy, and buttery flavors.
Ingredients
Chicken Wings
- 16 ounces chicken wings or drumettes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Sweet Chili Garlic Sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro finely chopped
- ¼ heaping cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice or to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken Wings
- Preheat the air fryer to **390°F (200°C)**. Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels and place them in a large bowl.
- Add the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and cornstarch. Toss until the wings are evenly coated.
Air Fry the Wings
- Arrange the wings in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Leave a little space between them so the hot air can circulate.
- Air fry for 15 minutes, flip the wings, and cook for another 5 minutes or until golden and crispy. The internal temperature should reach **165°F (74°C)**.
Make the Sweet Chili Garlic Sauce
- Melt the butter in a large pan over low-medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic, chili flakes, chopped cilantro, sweet chili sauce, and lemon or lime juice. Stir and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant and well combined.
Coat and Serve
- Add the cooked chicken wings to the pan and gently toss until evenly coated in the sweet chili garlic sauce.
- Serve immediately while the wings are hot, crispy, and sticky.
Notes
*Nutrition info is a rough estimate based on the ingredients. Note that values may vary from case to case.
*As with all recipes, there is a number of ways you can get things done. If you believe that some of the instructions can be improved, or have a good alternative solution, feel free to leave a comment.
Air fryer cooking times can vary depending on the size of the wings and the appliance. Cook until the wings reach 165°F (74°C) internally, then toss them with the sauce just before serving to keep them crispy.
