Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
Why this recipe works
- Crisp wings without deep-frying: Air-frying helps the wings turn golden and crisp while keeping the cooking process simpler and less messy than frying in oil.
- Balanced sweet-savoury glaze: Soy sauce adds umami and saltiness, while rice vinegar cuts through the honey so the sauce stays glossy rather than cloying.
- Fast enough for everyday cooking: Most of the cooking happens in the air fryer, while the sauce comes together quickly on the hob.
Get the most out of this recipe
Texture tips
- Dry the wings thoroughly: Moisture on the skin prevents crisping, so pat the wings very well before they go into the air fryer.
- Glaze just before serving: Toss the wings with the sauce while they are hot, then serve straight away to keep the coating glossy and the skin lightly crisp.
Common mistakes
- Avoid overcrowding the basket: Cook the wings in a single layer so hot air can circulate evenly; use batches if needed.
- Watch the glaze temperature: Honey can catch if overheated, so simmer the sauce gently and reduce the air fryer to 190°C (375°F) near the end if your model runs hot.
Ingredient notes
- Use a smooth cornflour slurry: Whisk the cornflour with water before adding it to the simmering sauce so the glaze thickens evenly without lumps.
- Adjust the sharpness: Rice vinegar gives a clean, gentle tang; white wine vinegar makes the glaze slightly sharper.
Make-ahead tips
- Make the sauce ahead: The glaze can be prepared in advance and gently reheated before tossing with freshly cooked wings.
- Reheat in the air fryer: Reheat refrigerated wings at 180°C (355°F) until piping hot throughout, noting that the glaze may loosen slightly.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pat the wings dry, then preheat the air fryer to 200°C (390°F). Cook the wings in a single layer (in batches if needed) for 18 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crisp.
- While the wings cook, finely grate the garlic. In a small saucepan, whisk together the honey, soy sauce and rice vinegar, then bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Whisk the cornflour with 2 tbsp water until smooth, then whisk it into the simmering sauce along with the garlic. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, whisking, until glossy and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Slice the spring onion. Tip the hot wings into a mixing bowl, pour over the sauce and toss until evenly coated, then scatter with sesame seeds and spring onion and serve straight away.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Dry wings crisp best: pat them very well with kitchen paper before air-frying, and avoid overcrowding the basket.
- If your air fryer runs hot, drop the temperature to 190°C (375°F) for the final 5 minutes to prevent the honey glaze tasting burnt.
- For vulnerable groups, ensure the wings are cooked until piping hot throughout with no pink near the bone.
Substitutions
- Replace Soy sauce with Light soy sauce for a slightly lighter, saltier finish.
- Replace Rice vinegar with White wine vinegar for a sharper acidity.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool, cover and refrigerate. Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C (355°F) for 6 to 8 minutes until piping hot; the glaze may loosen slightly on reheating.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 45min (15min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Fusion
-
Allergens:
Sesame Soybeans
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →
Air Fryer Yakitori
Chicken yakitori skewers with a soy and mirin glaze.
Lime Chicken Skewers
Grilled lime chicken skewers with cumin and smoked paprika
Agnello alla Scottadito (Italian Grilled Lamb Cutlets)
Grilled lamb cutlets with rosemary, garlic and lemon
Shish Tawook (Garlic Lemon Chicken Skewers)
Yoghurt-marinated chicken skewers with garlic, lemon and red pepper
Air Fryer Satay Chicken
Air-fried satay chicken with peanut, lime and soy sauce.
Brochettes (Moroccan Lamb Skewers with Cumin)
Grilled lamb skewers marinated with cumin, garlic and paprika
Poulet Rôti aux Herbes de Provence (Herb Roast Chicken)
Roast chicken with Herbes de Provence, lemon and pan potatoes
Lamb Nihari (Slow-Cooked Shank Stew)
Slow-cooked lamb shank stew with a richly spiced gravy
Köfte (Turkish Beef Meatballs)
Pan fried Turkish beef meatballs with garlic, spices and lemon
Bossam (Boiled Pork Wraps)
Boiled pork belly lettuce wraps with rice, kimchi and ssamjang
Vatapá (Bahian Shrimp and Bread Stew)
Creamy Bahian stew with coconut milk, bread and dried shrimp
Holiday Picadillo (Sweet and Savoury Minced Beef Stew)
Minced beef picadillo with tomatoes, olives and raisins
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin
Honey garlic pork tenderloin cooked in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Air-fried chicken thighs in a sticky honey garlic glaze.
Korean-American Gochujang Glazed Pork Ribs
Oven-baked pork ribs with sticky gochujang glaze
Air Fryer Orange Chicken
Crispy air fryer orange chicken tossed in a sticky sauce.
Sticky Chicken Thigh Traybake
Sticky soy and honey chicken thighs with peppers and onions
Air Fryer Sesame Chicken
Crispy air-fried chicken in a glossy sesame sauce.
You might also like
Air Fryer Lemon Yogurt Chicken
Yoghurt and lemon marinated chicken thighs, air fried until golden.
Trucha a la Plancha (Griddled Trout with Salsa Criolla)
Griddled trout topped with salsa criolla, lime and coriander
Egg Curry with Tomato and Onion Masala
Egg curry in tomato and onion masala with basmati rice
Vegetarian Paella with Artichokes and Broad Beans
Vegetarian paella with saffron rice, artichokes and broad beans
Milanesa Napolitana (Argentinian Beef Schnitzel with Ham and Mozzarella)
Crisp beef schnitzel topped with ham and melted mozzarella
Air Fryer Crispy Baby Potatoes
Crispy air-fried baby potatoes with garlic and rosemary.
Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
KitchenAid Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- Non-slip base
- Stainless steel
- Not microwave safe
T-fal Specialty Nonstick Handy Pot with Glass Lid 3 Quart
- Easy food release
- Dishwasher safe
- Not induction compatible
OXO Good Grips Stainless Mixing Bowl Set
- Non-slip base
- Comfort grip
- Higher price
WMF Mini Saucepan 16 cm with Lid
- High-quality stainless steel
- Even heat distribution
- Higher price point
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.
