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Table of Contents
Looking for a delicious wing recipe that is packed with flavor? Make these Dry Rub Air Fried Wings!
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for desired heat level)
- 2 pounds chicken wings (I recommend using drummettes/split wings)
- 1/3-1/2 cup all-purpose flour (enough to coat the wings evenly)
- Cooking oil spray
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken
- Begin by patting down the chicken wings with paper towels to get rid of the extra moisture.
- Set aside in a large bowl while we prepare the seasoning and flour.
2. Season the Chicken
- Mix together the smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, sea salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Add the flour and seasoning mix into a paper bag and shake to combine. Once its mixed well, add in the wings and shake to coat wings in seasoned flour mixture.

3. Preheat the Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
4. Arrange the Wings
- Arrange the seasoned wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Lightly spritz the wings with oil spray.

5. Air Fry the Wings
- Air fry the wings for 15 minutes at 400°F. Halfway through, open the air fryer, flip the wings, and spritz with a little more cooking oil spray.
- Continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes or until the wings are golden, crispy, and cooked through.
6. Check for Doneness
- To make sure your wings are safe to eat, check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer. The wings should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

7. Serve and Enjoy
- Once wings reach 165°F internal temp and are crispy, remove from air fryer and enjoy!

Tips for Perfect Wings:
- For Extra Crispy Wings: After coating the wings with the dry rub, let them sit for 10-15 minutes before air frying. This allows the seasoning to really soak in.
- Adjust the Heat: Add more cayenne pepper if you want your wings to be extra spicy.
- Don’t Skip the Oil Spray: A light coating of oil spray helps give the wings that perfect golden crisp without needing deep frying.
15 Variations of Dry Rub Air Fried Wings:
- Lemon Pepper Wings: Swap the smoked paprika for 2 tbsp of lemon pepper seasoning. Add some lemon zest for extra zing.
- Buffalo Dry Rub Wings: Mix in 1 tbsp of dried buffalo seasoning and a pinch of cayenne for that classic hot wing flavor without the sauce.
- Garlic Parmesan Wings: Replace the paprika with 2 tbsp of grated Parmesan cheese and 1 extra tsp of garlic powder. Finish with fresh parsley.
- BBQ Spice Wings: Use 1 tbsp of BBQ seasoning, smoked paprika, and brown sugar for a sweet, smoky twist.
- Cajun Wings: Add 1 tbsp of Cajun seasoning for a kick of heat with some New Orleans flair.
- Jerk Wings: Use 1 tbsp of jerk seasoning mix (with allspice, cinnamon, and thyme) for a taste of the Caribbean.
- Honey Mustard Wings: Mix 1 tbsp mustard powder and 1 tsp honey powder into the rub for sweet, tangy wings.
- Ranch Dry Rub Wings: Replace Italian seasoning with 1 tbsp of ranch seasoning. Ranch lovers will love this one!
- Chipotle Lime Wings: Add 1 tbsp chipotle powder and the zest of one lime for smoky, spicy wings with a tangy finish.
- Old Bay Wings: Substitute Italian seasoning with 1 tbsp of Old Bay seasoning for a seafood-inspired flavor twist.
- Asian Five-Spice Wings: Use 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder along with 1 tbsp soy sauce powder for an aromatic Asian flavor profile.
- Sweet & Spicy Wings: Combine 1 tbsp brown sugar with 1 tsp chili powder for a perfect balance of sweetness and heat.
- Maple Cajun Wings: Add 1 tbsp maple sugar and Cajun seasoning together to create a rich, spicy-sweet flavor.
- Smoked Wings: Use 1 tbsp smoked paprika and 1 tsp liquid smoke in the seasoning mix to get that classic smoky BBQ flavor without the smoker.
- Sriracha Lime Wings: Mix 1 tsp sriracha powder with lime zest and extra cayenne for a hot, tangy wing that’s packed with flavor.

15 Options to Serve with Dry Rub Air Fried Wings:
- Ranch Dressing: A classic pairing, especially for wings with heat. The cool creaminess balances the spice.
- Blue Cheese Dressing: Another creamy dip that complements bold, spicy wings.
- Celery Sticks: The crisp crunch of celery is a perfect counterbalance to the savory, spicy wings.
- Carrot Sticks: A fresh and crunchy veggie side that lightens up the meal.
- French Fries: Whether crispy, curly, or sweet potato, fries are always a favorite with wings.
- Coleslaw: A tangy, creamy slaw adds a refreshing contrast to the spice and crispiness of the wings.
- Mac and Cheese: Creamy, cheesy, and rich, mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food side.
- Potato Wedges: These thick, crispy wedges are perfect for dipping in sauces alongside the wings.
- Cornbread: A sweet slice of cornbread goes beautifully with the smoky, spicy flavor of dry rub wings.
- Biscuits: Fluffy biscuits can help soak up the flavor of the wings and any sauce on the plate.
- Garlic Bread: Crunchy, buttery garlic bread is a flavorful addition to your wing meal.
- Onion Rings: The crunchy, golden rings offer a savory, satisfying pairing for wings.
- Pickles: The tart and tangy flavor of pickles works well with the heat of spicy wings.
- Baked Beans: Smoky, sweet baked beans are a hearty side that pairs perfectly with wings.
- Corn on the Cob: Grilled or boiled, corn on the cob adds sweetness and texture to your wing platter.

Dry Rub Air Fried Wings Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Begin by patting down the chicken wings with paper towels to get rid of the extra moisture. Set aside in a large bowl while we prepare the seasoning and flour.
- Mix together the smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, sea salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Add the flour and seasoning mix into a paper bag and shake to combine. Once its mixed well, add in the wings and shake to coat wings in seasoned flour mixture.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Arrange the seasoned wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Lightly spritz the wings with oil spray.
- Air fry the wings for 15 minutes at 400°F. Halfway through, open the air fryer, flip the wings, and spritz with a little more cooking oil spray. Continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes or until the wings are golden, crispy, and cooked through.
- To make sure your wings are safe to eat, check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer. The wings should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Once wings reach 165°F internal temp and are crispy, remove from air fryer and enjoy!