Best Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Wings

ByNkechi Ajaeroh, MPH
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Air Fry Jerk Chicken Wings Everybody loves chicken wings, but have you ever had jerk chicken wings? Trust me; they are a game changer. These wings are smoky, spicy, and so flavorful you will be licking every drop of seasoning off your fingers. Not only are they super tender and juicy, but they have a…

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Easy air fryer jerk chicken wings are smoky, spicy, flavorful, and tasty! Crispy on the outside and yet tender and juicy inside. You will be licking every drop of seasoning off your fingers and will never get tired of eating these jerk-seasoned chicken wings. If you are looking for the perfect party dish, these air-fried Jamaican jerk chicken wings are it! #airfryerjerkchicken #jerkchicken #airfriedjerkchicken #chickenwings #jerkmarinade

Air Fry Jerk Chicken Wings

Everybody loves chicken wings, but have you ever had jerk chicken wings? Trust me; they are a game changer. These wings are smoky, spicy, and so flavorful you will be licking every drop of seasoning off your fingers. Not only are they super tender and juicy, but they have a crispy, well-seasoned skin. 

If you are looking for the perfect party dish, these air fryer jerk chicken wings are it! These wings are an automatic crowd pleaser, and they are a unique alternative to more popular flavors like buffalo wings or BBQ wings.

These chicken wings are also super easy to make, and you can quickly make a large batch in the air fryer. Even though these chicken wings are made in the air fryer, the jerk seasoning gives them that intense smoky flavor that makes them shine. If you love jerk chicken, you should also check out my Jerk chicken Drumsticks and give them a try! They are finger-licking good and even spicier than these wings! 

Easy air fryer jerk chicken wings are smoky, spicy, flavorful, and tasty! Crispy on the outside and yet tender and juicy inside. You will be licking every drop of seasoning off your fingers and will never get tired of eating these jerk-seasoned chicken wings. If you are looking for the perfect party dish, these air-fried Jamaican jerk chicken wings are it! #airfryerjerkchicken #jerkchicken #airfriedjerkchicken #chickenwings #jerkmarinade

Why you will Love Jerk Wings:

  • Jerk Chicken Wings are packed with flavor, crispy, and juicy all at the same time. 
  • You can make these super easily in no time at all! 
  • Just season the wings and pop them in the air fryer! 
  • Using the air fryer makes the clean-up super easy, especially if it is dishwasher safe.
  • It is a great alternative to the classic chicken wing seasonings. Mix it up and give these a try!
  • These aren’t too spicy because I used the mild jerk seasoning for that intense tasty flavor, and yet not too hot n spicy to enjoy! 
Easy air fryer jerk chicken wings are smoky, spicy, flavorful, and tasty! Crispy on the outside and yet tender and juicy inside. You will be licking every drop of seasoning off your fingers and will never get tired of eating these jerk-seasoned chicken wings. If you are looking for the perfect party dish, these air-fried Jamaican jerk chicken wings are it! #airfryerjerkchicken #jerkchicken #airfriedjerkchicken #chickenwings #jerkmarinade

WATCH HOW I MADE THIS RECIPE:

MORE HEALTHY AIR FRYER CHICKEN RECIPES TO TRY:

Ingredients for Jerk Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer:

Chicken wings – Well, chicken wings are the life of the party when it comes to this recipe. Ensure to get good healthy chicken wings. You can buy organic chicken wings if you want. When they are labeled as organic, it means they are fed an organic diet and also free-range. 

Jerk seasoning – I typically do not make DIY jerk marinade. I buy Walkerswood jerk seasoning from my local Walmart or amazon. Jerk seasoning is smoky, spicy, and savory; it is packed with so many flavors. I am using the mild jerk seasoning today because I don’t want these wings recipe way to spicy! I want to enjoy them and can’t currently eat extra hot and spicy foods.

Avocado oil – avocado oil is one of the healthier neutral oils, but you can also use extra virgin olive oil or any oil you have. 

Garlic powder for more flavors!

Dry thyme. Generally, I grab dry thyme from my pantry. However, fresh thyme would work just fine. Thyme is optional for this recipe; skip it if you don’t have it.

Knorr bullion – for that additional flavoring! I highly recommend chicken bullion. 

Salt (add a little salt if needed; jerk marinade contains sodium).

Ingredients for making jerk chicken wings include chicken wings, jerk marinade, avocado oil, garlic powder, dry thyme and salt
All the ingredients at a glance

The Great “Wash Chicken” Debate

There is always that grand debate on whether or not to wash your chicken, but as I always like to say, safe is better than sorry. Are you team “wash the chicken” (like yours truly), or team “do not wash the chicken?”

How to Make Jerk Chicken Wings in Air Fryer (Step-by-Step):

Here’s how I make my easy peasy tasty jerk chicken wings in the air fryer.

  1. Thoroughly Clean the Chicken.

    When making chicken wings, I clean them by placing them into a large bowl with water and some lemon juice. This helps kill any bacteria. Then rinse the chicken wings with clean water. Make sure to pat them down with a paper towel. Now your chicken wings are ready for the next step! Cleaned plain chicken wings

  2. Season the Chicken Wings.

    Season the chicken wings by adding them to a big bowl and placing all the seasonings. While wearing a glove, use your hands to make sure the seasonings are well mixed with the jerk marinade. You can immediately air fry these chicken wings or let them marinate for a few hours or overnight. The seasoning will be stronger the longer you marinate the wings. Season the chicken wings by adding them to a big bowl and placing all the seasonings.

  3. Preheat the air fryer.

    Set the air fryer to 375 degrees and time to 17 minutes. Preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken.

  4. Air Fry Chicken wings.

    Place the seasoned chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes before flipping/turning.Easy air fryer jerk chicken wings are smoky, spicy, flavorful, and tasty! Crispy on the outside and yet tender and juicy inside. You will be licking every drop of seasoning off your fingers and will never get tired of eating these jerk-seasoned chicken wings. If you are looking for the perfect party dish, these air-fried Jamaican jerk chicken wings are it! #airfryerjerkchicken #jerkchicken #airfriedjerkchicken #chickenwings #jerkmarinade

  5. Flip the Chicken Wings and Finish Cooking.

    Flip the jerk chicken wings when they are halfway done (and about 7 minutes left). Give the basket a shake or use a fork to flip them. This ensures that the jerk chicken wings evenly cook. Also, it helps the skin to be crispy on all sides. 
    In the end, check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. It should read 165 degrees for perfect doneness.Easy air fryer jerk chicken wings are smoky, spicy, flavorful, and tasty! Crispy on the outside and yet tender and juicy inside. You will be licking every drop of seasoning off your fingers and will never get tired of eating these jerk-seasoned chicken wings. If you are looking for the perfect party dish, these air-fried Jamaican jerk chicken wings are it! #airfryerjerkchicken #jerkchicken #airfriedjerkchicken #chickenwings #jerkmarinade

  6. Plate and Serve the Jerk Chicken Wings.

    Take the chicken wings out and serve them with some of your favorite side dishes. Easy air fryer jerk chicken wings are smoky, spicy, flavorful, and tasty! Crispy on the outside and yet tender and juicy inside. You will be licking every drop of seasoning off your fingers and will never get tired of eating these jerk-seasoned chicken wings. If you are looking for the perfect party dish, these air-fried Jamaican jerk chicken wings are it! #airfryerjerkchicken #jerkchicken #airfriedjerkchicken #chickenwings #jerkmarinade

Recipe Notes/Tips:

  1. Jerk chicken wings can also be made in the oven if you do not have an air fryer. Just increase the heat to about 390 degrees and cook them for 5-6 minutes longer. 
  2. For this jerk chicken wings recipe, I use the mild jerk chicken seasoning (from Walkerswood). On the other hand, these jerk chicken wings aren’t that spicy. If you wish to make a spicier jerk chicken, then I suggest using the Hot & Spicy Jerk Seasoning (this one from Walkerswood is fire). The same one I used for my Jerk chicken drumsticks.
  3. Ensure all the chicken wings are marinated in jerk seasoning for maximum flavor.
  4. If using a spicy jerk seasoning and you feel that it may be too spicy, use less of it and add more garlic powder and bullion. Alternatively, use only one tablespoon of spicy jerk seasoning and add two tablespoons of mild jerk seasoning to balance it out. I do it sometimes.
  5. The jerk seasoning is already plenty salty, so you may not need to add any additional salt. However, I added 1/4 tsp. 
  6. Get a quality meat thermometer to ensure your chicken has the correct internal temperature. 
  7. Enjoy your chicken wings with a glass of homemade watermelon lemonade or water – these jerk chicken wings are hot!  
  8. This is my Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer; I have used it almost everyday since the last year and it still stands strong!
Easy air fryer jerk chicken wings are smoky, spicy, flavorful, and tasty! Crispy on the outside and yet tender and juicy inside. You will be licking every drop of seasoning off your fingers and will never get tired of eating these jerk-seasoned chicken wings. If you are looking for the perfect party dish, these air-fried Jamaican jerk chicken wings are it! #airfryerjerkchicken #jerkchicken #airfriedjerkchicken #chickenwings #jerkmarinade

How to Store Leftover Jerk Wings

If you made extra jerk chicken wings or happen to have some leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container. Keep them in the refrigerator. They can last for about 5-6 days when stored properly. I don’t ever remember freezing leftover chicken wings!

Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Wings FAQs

What do Jerk Chicken Wings Taste Like? 

Jerk chicken wings have the crispiness of traditional chicken wings and the flavors of jerk chicken. They are spicy, earthy, smoky, and even have a hint of sweetness. Jerk chicken wings also have the woodsy flavor of pimento wood. 

Why is Jerk Chicken Spicy?   

Jerk chicken gets its spice from the many peppers in the seasoning. These peppers include red pepper flakes, scotch bonnet, and cayenne. If you don’t usually eat spicy foods, you may want to lessen the jerk chicken seasoning. 

What do Jamaicans Serve with Jerk Chicken?

Since jerk chicken is spicy, many Jamaicans serve it with sweet dishes such as plantains and sweet potatoes. 

Easy air fryer jerk chicken wings are smoky, spicy, flavorful, and tasty! Crispy on the outside and yet tender and juicy inside. You will be licking every drop of seasoning off your fingers and will never get tired of eating these jerk-seasoned chicken wings. If you are looking for the perfect party dish, these air-fried Jamaican jerk chicken wings are it! #airfryerjerkchicken #jerkchicken #airfriedjerkchicken #chickenwings #jerkmarinade

How to Make Jerk Wings in Air Fryer (Step-by-Step):

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Easy air fryer jerk chicken wings are smoky, spicy, flavorful, and tasty! Crispy on the outside and yet tender and juicy inside. You will be licking every drop of seasoning off your fingers and will never get tired of eating these jerk-seasoned chicken wings. If you are looking for the perfect party dish, these air-fried Jamaican jerk chicken wings are it! #airfryerjerkchicken #jerkchicken #airfriedjerkchicken #chickenwings #jerkmarinade

Best Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Wings

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 5 reviews
  • Author: Nkechi Ajaeroh, MPH
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 17 minutes
  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 7 Servings 1x
  • Category: Chicken Dinner
  • Method: Air fryer
  • Cuisine: Jamaican
  • Diet: Gluten Free
Print Recipe

Description

Easy air fryer jerk chicken wings are smoky, spicy, flavorful, and tasty! Crispy on the outside and yet tender and juicy inside. You will be licking every drop of seasoning off your fingers and will never get tired of eating these jerk-seasoned chicken wings. If you are looking for the perfect party dish, these air-fried Jamaican jerk chicken wings are it!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 14 whole wings (split into drumette and flat/wingette to make 28 wings; tips removed)
  • 3 tablespoons of mild jerk seasoning (I use Walkerswood; this post is not sponsored)
  • 1 tablespoon of avocado oil (or EVOO)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons of Knorr bullion
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder 
  • ½ teaspoon dry thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Step one: Thoroughly Clean the Chicken. When making chicken wings, I clean them by placing them into a large bowl with water and some lemon juice. This helps kill any bacteria. Then rinse the chicken wings with clean water. Make sure to pat them down with a paper towel. Now your chicken wings are ready for the next step! Cleaned plain chicken wings
  2. Step two: Season the Chicken Wings. Season the chicken wings by adding them to a big bowl and placing all the seasonings. While wearing a glove, use your hands to make sure the seasonings are well mixed with the jerk marinade. You can immediately air fry these chicken wings or let them marinate for a few hours or overnight. The seasoning will be stronger the longer you marinate the wings. Season the chicken wings by adding them to a big bowl and placing all the seasonings.
  3. Step three: Preheat the air fryer. Set the air fryer to 375 degrees and time to 17 minutes. Preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken.
  4. Step four: Air Fry Chicken wings. Place the seasoned chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes before flipping/turning. Easy air fryer jerk chicken wings are smoky, spicy, flavorful, and tasty! Crispy on the outside and yet tender and juicy inside. You will be licking every drop of seasoning off your fingers and will never get tired of eating these jerk-seasoned chicken wings. If you are looking for the perfect party dish, these air-fried Jamaican jerk chicken wings are it! #airfryerjerkchicken #jerkchicken #airfriedjerkchicken #chickenwings #jerkmarinade
  5. Step five: Flip the Chicken Wings and Finish Cooking. Flip the jerk chicken wings when they are halfway done (and about 7 minutes left ). Give the basket a shake or use a fork to flip them. This ensures that the jerk chicken wings evenly cook. Also, it helps the skin to be crispy on all sides. In the end, check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. It should read 165 degrees for perfect doneness. Easy air fryer jerk chicken wings are smoky, spicy, flavorful, and tasty! Crispy on the outside and yet tender and juicy inside. You will be licking every drop of seasoning off your fingers and will never get tired of eating these jerk-seasoned chicken wings. If you are looking for the perfect party dish, these air-fried Jamaican jerk chicken wings are it! #airfryerjerkchicken #jerkchicken #airfriedjerkchicken #chickenwings #jerkmarinade
  6. Step six: Plate and Serve the Jerk Chicken Wings. Take the chicken wings out and serve them with some of your favorite side dishes. Easy air fryer jerk chicken wings are smoky, spicy, flavorful, and tasty! Crispy on the outside and yet tender and juicy inside. You will be licking every drop of seasoning off your fingers and will never get tired of eating these jerk-seasoned chicken wings. If you are looking for the perfect party dish, these air-fried Jamaican jerk chicken wings are it! #airfryerjerkchicken #jerkchicken #airfriedjerkchicken #chickenwings #jerkmarinade

Notes

WATCH ABOVE TO SEE HOW I MADE THIS RECIPE.

Jerk chicken wings can also be made in the oven if you do not have an air fryer. Just increase the heat to about 390 degrees and cook them for 5-6 minutes longer. 

For this jerk chicken wings recipe, I use the mild jerk chicken seasoning (from Walkerswood). On the other hand, these jerk wings aren’t that spicy. If you wish to make a spicier jerk chicken, then I suggest using a Spicy Jerk Seasoning (this one from Walkerswood is fire). The same one I used for my Jerk chicken drumsticks.

Ensure all the chicken wings are marinated in jerk seasoning for maximum flavor.

If using a spicy jerk seasoning and you feel that it may be too spicy, use less of it and add more garlic powder and bullion. 

The jerk seasoning is already plenty salty, so you may not need to add any additional salt. However, I added ¼ tsp.

This recipe serves up to 7 people; 4 wings per person. 

Get a quality meat thermometer to ensure your chicken has the correct internal temperature. 

Enjoy your chicken wings with a glass of homemade watermelon lemonade or water – these jerk chicken wings are hot! 

This is my Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer. I have used it almost everyday for a year and it is till going very strong! 

Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

Sides that Go with Air Fried Jerk Chicken Wings: 

Jollof Rice. It is rich in flavor, taste, and color; and perfectly goes well with jerk wings.

Insanely delicious party-style Nigerian basmati Jollof rice is the only Jollof rice recipe you need. The fusion of basmati rice with tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, curry, thyme, bay leaves, and other herbs/spices makes this party Jollof absolutely flavorful and tasty! The best part about making basmati Jollof rice is that it takes no time to cook. Amazingly, you can further cut down on this cooking time by making the sauce or base ahead of time. Call family and friends, let’s gather for this authentic crowd-pleasing party-style Jollof rice recipe! #Jollofrice #Africanfood #Nigerianfood #PartyJollofrice #NigerianJollofrice #BasmatiJollofrice #Jollof

Braised Red Cabbage. Super easy + healthy braised red cabbage with apples and red onions will make a perfect side for jerk chicken.

Super easy healthy braised red cabbage with apples and red onions is the best side dish ever! It's savory, sweet, a little sour, tangy, and wonderfully complements every main dish. This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, keto – friendly and packed with flavorful herbs and spices. Look no further for a fabulous + tasty, healthy side you need for the holidays especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. Also, it comes together so quickly! #Cabbage #Braisedcabbage #healthysidedish #side

Oven-baked Brussels Sprouts. Perfectly roasted Brussels sprouts make one of the best sides that go with chicken wings. Better still, you can make the sprouts in the air fryer as well!

The best honey baked brussels sprouts recipe, perfectly baked in the oven without the help of bacon and cheese. A incredible plant-based side dish you will love with all your heart!

Shredded Beet Salad. Healthy Shredded Beet Salad is low carb, vegan, gluten-free, paleo-friendly, easy to make, and nutritious! This cooling salad makes such a great side with jerk chicken wings!

Healthy Shredded Beet Salad is low carb, vegan, gluten-free, paleo-friendly, easy to make, and nutritious! (And in my opinion, the Best Way to enjoy fresh Beetroot) This very nutritious and insanely delicious shredded beet salad with citrus dressing is perfect for lunch, dinner, or a healthy vegetable side dish. Heart-Healthy salad | Healthy Shredded Beet Salad | Low-carb | vegan | gluten-free |paleo-friendly | Nkechi Ajaeroh Salad recipe #WeightlossSalad #Beetsalad #beets #beetsrecipes

Other Sides to Pair with Jerk Wings:

Jerk chicken wings are doused with seasoning, which makes them perfect with a milder tasting side like white rice or potato salad. These spicy wings also taste amazing when paired with a sweet side dish like sweet potato slices to balance out the flavor. They can also be paired with classic chicken wing side dishes like cole slaw, mac and cheese, salad, onion rings, or french fries. Jerk chicken wings are so tasty you can even eat them alone. 

MORE EASY + TASTY AIR FRYER RECIPES TO TRY:

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Easy air fryer jerk chicken wings are smoky, spicy, flavorful, and tasty! Crispy on the outside and yet tender and juicy inside. You will be licking every drop of seasoning off your fingers and will never get tired of eating these jerk-seasoned chicken wings. If you are looking for the perfect party dish, these air-fried Jamaican jerk chicken wings are it! #airfryerjerkchicken #jerkchicken #airfriedjerkchicken #chickenwings #jerkmarinade

Easy air fryer jerk chicken wings are smoky, spicy, flavorful, and tasty! As I mentioned in the post, I used mild jerk seasoning for this recipe as I don’t want it extra hot and spicy. I wanted my kids to enjoy these wings. And I am also currently not eating overly spicy stuff right now. Are you team hot n spicy or team mild spicy? 🤔

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! Stay well, safe and keep living your life to the fullest!

Nkechi Ajaeroh's blog nkechiajaeroh.com for healthy food recipes, and healthy living. tips.

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I'm Nkechi Ajaeroh, a 2x International Best Selling Author, Food Enthusiast, and Public Health expert with a Master's in Public Health. Originally from Nigeria, I now reside in the United States. My passion is crafting heart-healthy Nigerian meals with an American twist. My blog explores the joy of food and life, sharing my personal and professional journey and helping you navigate your healthy lifestyle. I am dedicated to impacting lives through storytelling and inspiring others to achieve their personal goals. LEARN MORE ABOUT ME

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10 Comments

  1. This reminds me… I haven’t made chicken wings in such a long time. I can’t wait to get to your recipe now!



    Reply

  2. I made this recipe for my dad because he loves jerk chicken and they were amazing!!! So delicious and juicy, they were gone so quickly I wish I made a double batch!



    Reply

  3. Would you believe I have never used my air fryer for wings? Where have I been. This is the perfect recipe to start with because I love jerk wings and now can make them quickly and easily!



    Reply

  4. This was a hit with my family. They loved the savory flavor of the seasonings. They want these again!



    Reply

  5. I absolutely love jerk seasoning and jerk wings sound so delicious! Love that they’re made in an air fryer too



    Reply