Instant Pot Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Easy BBQ Sauce)

​Instant Pot Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe is a  game-changing dish that combines the convenience of an Instant Pot with the crispy goodness of air-fried chicken wings. With just a few simple ingredients and less than 30 minutes, you can have a delicious and healthy appetizer or meal that is sure to impress your family and friends.

The Instant Pot has become a must-have kitchen appliance for many households due to its ability to quickly cook meals with ease. And now, with the addition of an air fryer function, it has become even more versatile. This recipe takes full advantage of both functions to create perfectly cooked, tender chicken wings with a satisfying crunch on the outside.

Instant Pot Chicken Wings on a black plate with celery and blue cheese dressing #instantpot #chickenwings #appetizer | www.thefoodieaffair.com

Why You’ll Love This Recipe 

  • This method is a healthier way to make good chicken wings. You still get crispy chicken wings without all the fat from deep frying. 
  • There’s no need to spend extra money at your favorite wings restaurant when you can make these at home for a fraction of the cost. 
  •  Plus, the Instant Pot and air fryer function make this recipe quick and easy, perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining guests. 

Ingredients Needed

You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make you make this delicious recipe. Pick up these ingredients on your next trip to the grocery store you will have all the ingredients that you need to make these hot wings. 

  • chicken wings – fresh or frozen. Pictured are frozen chicken wings from Trader Joe’s. The difference in the cooking time between fresh chicken and frozen is just two minutes. 

Ingredients for the BBQ sauce

  • low sugar ketchup
  • apple cider vinegar
  • balsamic vinegar
  • liquid smoke adds a rich flavor to this sauce.
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • sugar alternative like monk fruit.
  • dry mustard powder
  • chili powder
  • cumin
  • cayenne powder
  • arrowroot cornstarch or flour (optional) to thicken the sauce.
Homemade chicken wings made in an Instant Pot on a platter with celery and blue cheese dressing #bluecheese #appetizer #chickenwings | www.thefoodieaffair.com

How to Make These Instant Pot Air Fryer Chicken Wings 

Making these air fryer chicken is so simple. Just follow the step-by-step instructions and you will have a delicious meal or appetizer to enjoy on game day with your family in no time at all. 

Step 1: Dry the wings before adding them to the pressure cooker.

Pat dry with a paper towel if using fresh chicken. You can skip this step if you are using ice-glazed frozen chicken. Place wings/drumettes in the pressure cooker. 

Step 2: Make the BBQ sauce.

In a small bowl whisk together ketchup, vinegars, liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, mustard, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne powder.  Pour over the chicken. You may consider trying this low-carb BBQ sauce too.

Homemade bbq sauce in a white bowl with a orange basting brush

Step 3: Cook the chicken.

Place the lid on and switch the vent closed. Cook in manual mode, high pressure for 10-12 minutes (see notes). Once the timer beeps carefully release the pressure and remove the chicken. Once cool, clean and place the air fryer insert the air fryer pressure cooker.

Step 4: Thicken the sauce. 

Reset the pressure cooker to saute mode and let the sauce cook down for about 10 minutes. To thicken (optional) in a small bowl whisk together arrowroot with 1 tablespoon of cold water. Whisk into sauce and cook until thickened (about 5 minutes).

Step 4: For Crispy Chicken Wings

Air fryer method: Cover with the air fryer lid or if your air fryer is in duel mode, turn to 400°F. Baste the chicken pieces with the BBQ sauce and air fry for 3-5 minutes to reach the desired texture.

Broiler method: Alternatively, Remove the chicken pieces and place them on a baking sheet. With a basting brush add sauce to chicken wings, and broil for about 5 minutes. Repeat on each side.

Serve with blue cheese dressing or your favorite dipping sauce. 

Blue cheese dressing for dipping vegetables.

Substitutions and Additions 

  • Not a fan of saucy wings? You can coat your wings in a dry rub like this Homemade Poultry Seasoning.  Or you can use your favorite seanings like cajun seasoning, or a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.  
  • Instead of making this no-added-sugar barbecue sauce, you can also coat these wings in your favorite sauce. Buffalo sauce and teriyaki sauce are always favorites in our household. 
  • If your family loves spicy food try adding an extra pinch or two of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to your BBQ sauce for even more heat. 

Storage

Storage – Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. 

Reheating – I’ve found the best way to reheat wings is in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 4-6 minutes or until warm all the way through. You can also put them in the oven at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until warm. 

Freezing – Freezing leftover wings is simple, just place them in a freezer-safe bag and freeze them for up to three months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight and then reheat as directed. 

What to Serve With Chicken Wings

If you ask me I think that these instant pot buffalo wings go best with a side of celery and carrot sticks with this keto ranch dressing. However, you can also pair them with a side of French fries or even these Air Fryer Potato Skins

An appetizer with celery sticks, blue cheese dressing, and Instant Pot Chicken Wings with a BBQ sauce #chickenwings #InstantPot #appetizer #gameday | www.thefoodieaffair.com

Sandra’s Pro Tips 

  • For this recipe, I prefer fresh wings as I find they cook the best. However, you can also use frozen wings I suggest that you use ice-glazed chicken wings and broil after to get the crispiest chicken wings. 
  • If you are not using an instant pot air fryer lid, you can use an air fryer instead. Just add the wings to your air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry at 400 degrees f for 3-5 minutes until the wings are crispy. 
  • The key to making the crispiest chicken wings is to pop them under the broil on a foil-lined baking tray until they are crispy.  

FAQs

Do you have questions about this instant pot chicken wings recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this easy recipe. 

How long do you cook chicken wings in an Instant Pot?

It will take about 10-12 minutes to cook fresh wings in the pressure cooker.

Does Instant Pot have air fryer lid?

Yes, Instant Pot makes an air fryer lid that you can purchase to go on top of your pressure cooker. 

What is the ideal internal temperature for chicken wings?

The internal temperature for chicken, including chicken wings should be 165°F.

If you haven’t invested in a pressure cooker yet, then you might be interested in adding these oven-cooked Honey Sriracha Wings and Mango Chicken Wings to your appetizer menu!

More Delicious Instant Pot Recipes That You May Enjoy

Instant Pot Chicken Wings appetizer coated in a BBQ sauce and served with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing with a beer #chickenwings #gameday #recipe #pressure cooker
chicken wings on a tray with celery sticks

Instant Pot Chicken Wings

Instant pot chicken wings made with a flavorful spicy homemade BBQ sauce. Cool each wing down by dipping them into an easy homemade blue cheese dressing. Serve as an appetizer.
4.91 from 11 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: appetizer, chicken wings, instant pot
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 443kcal
Author: Sandra Shaffer

Equipment

  • Instant Pot with air fryer lid
  • small bowl
  • bbq brush

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken wings
  • BBQ Sauce
  • 1/2 cup low sugar ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar alternative
  • 3/4 Tablespoon dry mustard powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder
  • 1 tablespoon arrowroot cornstarch or flour (optional)

Instructions

  • Pat dry with paper towels if using fresh chicken. Place wings/drumettes in the pressure cooker. 
  • In a small bowl whisk together ketchup, vinegars, liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, mustard, chili powder, cumin and cayenne powder.  Pour over chicken. 
  • Place lid on and switch vent closed. Cook in manual mode, high pressure for 10-12 minutes (see notes). Once timer beeps carefully release the pressure.  
  • Remove the chicken pieces and place on a baking sheet.
  • Reset pressure cooker to saute mode and let sauce cook down for about 10 minutes. To thicken (optional) in a small bowl whisk together arrowroot with 1 tablespoon of cold water. Whisk into sauce and cook until thickened (about 5 minutes). With a basting brush add sauce to chicken wings. Remove the sauce.

For Crispy Wings

  • Air fryer method: Remove the cover with the air fryer lid or if your air fryer is in duel mode. Add insert and place chicken pieces on the rack. Heat to 400°F and air fry for 3-5 minutes to reach the desired texture.
  • Broiler method: Alternatively, Remove the chicken pieces and place them on a baking sheet.  Broil for about 5 minutes. Repeat on each side. Serve with prepared sauce or Blue Cheese Sauce.

Notes

Cooking times for ice-glazed frozen chicken: Cook for 12 minutes.  For fresh chicken cook for 10 minutes. 
Try this recipe for a low-carb BBQ sauce.
Serve with homemade Blue Cheese Sauce.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 443kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 419mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g

Disclaimer

Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.

Hugs Sandra Signature

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14 Comments

  1. Sandra, I love everything you make but I have to say that these Instant Pot chicken wings may be on of my favorites. Our family of growing young men can’t get enough wings and we love our Instant Pot; what a perfect match! Your recipe looks so enticing that I considered watching some old Superbowl games just so I can enjoy these wings! Fantastic job!!

  2. The sauce on these wings sounds just incredible!! I have to say, one of my very favorite game time snacks are some messy saucy wings! Love this!

  3. I always parboil chicken wings and then broil them. It’s so smart you’ve sped up/cleaned up the process with the pressure cooker – I just love mine! Can’t wait to give this recipe a try with your tasty dip, it looks delicious! Perfect game day grub!!

  4. I really need to give my Instant Pot more love! This is definitely a keeper. We love wings and this is definitely a quick no fuss recipe!