The Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Wings are honestly the life of every party, and truly irresistible when you’re hit with a craving for something crispy, sticky, and just a little spicy. What makes this dish so unforgettable is that beautiful glaze—sweet honey swirled with tangy mustard, kissed by butter and spices—all wrapped around the crispiest wings, thanks to the magic of air frying. Whether you’re prepping for game day, searching for a killer appetizer, or just looking for an easy homemade treat, these wings tick every box. Let’s dive in and make this crowd-pleaser your new go-to recipe!

Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Wings Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

With just a handful of kitchen staples and a few fresh drumettes, you’ll be amazed at how each ingredient brings something special to these Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Wings. Each one makes a big impact on flavor, texture, or that irresistible golden color—don’t skip any for the best results!

Chicken drumettes: The star of the show; using drumettes gives you juicy meat with plenty of skin to crisp up beautifully in your air fryer.
Dijon mustard: Adds a bold, tangy flavor and a creamy texture that helps the sauce cling perfectly to every wing.
Honey: Brings sweetness and that signature sticky finish that makes each bite delightful and finger-licking good.
Unsalted butter: Creates a glossy, luscious sauce base and rounds out all the sharp flavors, making every wing rich and delicious.
Garlic powder: Infuses the sauce with a deep, savory backdrop that balances out the sweetness and tanginess.
Cayenne pepper: Offers just the right spicy kick, waking up your taste buds without overwhelming them (unless you want extra heat!).
Kosher salt: Essential for bringing all the flavors together and making sure none get lost in the mix.

How to Make Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Wings

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Always start with a preheated air fryer! Set the temperature to 400 degrees F. This simple step is crucial for achieving that signature crispiness on your Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Wings. It ensures the chicken starts cooking immediately so you get golden, crackly skin without any soggy spots.

Step 2: Arrange and Cook the Drumettes

Place your chicken drumettes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd them—you want the hot air to circulate all around for even cooking. Let them cook for 8 minutes to get that first round of crispy action started.

Step 3: Flip and Continue Cooking

Carefully open the air fryer, flip each drumette, and return them for another 8 minutes. Turning them ensures every bit of skin gets crisped up and none are left limp or pale. The transformation during this second half of cooking is seriously satisfying.

Step 4: Check for Crispiness

Now’s the fun part: check your wings! They should be beautifully golden and fully cooked. If they’re not quite there (thicker drumettes sometimes need more time), simply pop them back in for an extra 2 minutes. Trust your eyes and nose—crispy edges and bubbling juices are the goal.

Step 5: Make the Honey Mustard Sauce

While the chicken wings are crisping up, add Dijon mustard, honey, unsalted butter, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and kosher salt to a large skillet. Warm the mixture over medium heat, stirring often. As soon as the butter melts and the sauce is smooth and glossy, remove it from the heat. No need to boil—just enough for everything to blend together harmoniously.

Step 6: Coat the Wings in the Sauce

Once your wings are ready, move them straight from the air fryer into the warm skillet of honey mustard sauce. Toss gently but thoroughly so every wing is glistening and generously coated. This is what takes your Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Wings from delicious to completely irresistible.

Step 7: Add Final Heat (Optional)

If you love a little fire (or just want some color contrast), finish by sprinkling crushed red pepper flakes over the sauced wings. It’s a bold, zesty touch that takes these wings totally over the top—especially if you enjoy a sweet-spicy combo.

How to Serve Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Wings

Garnishes

For that extra pop of color and crunch, finish your Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Wings with finely chopped chives, parsley, or even a few shreds of fresh green onion. A light dusting of crushed red pepper flakes or sesame seeds can add a little visual drama and just the right finishing touch.

Side Dishes

A platter of these wings pairs perfectly with crisp celery sticks and cool, creamy ranch or blue cheese dip. If you’re going big, serve them alongside simple coleslaw, roasted potato wedges, or a tangy cucumber salad to balance out the sweet and spicy flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking your wings on a wooden board lined with parchment for a rustic, shareable look. Or skewer two or three onto bamboo sticks for a fun party presentation. You can even serve Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Wings in a big bowl with lots of napkins for a casual movie night feast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers (trust me, this is rare!), let the wings cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh and flavorful for up to three days—ready to spice up lunch the next day or power your post-workout snack attack.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze these wings! Place cooled Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Wings on a baking sheet lined with parchment, freeze until solid, then transfer them to a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container. They’ll keep well for up to two months, making it easy to have a batch on hand for last-minute cravings or impromptu gatherings.

Reheating

For best results, reheat the wings in your air fryer at 375 degrees F for 4 to 5 minutes until hot and crispy again. This brings back their golden crunch without drying them out. If you’re in a hurry, microwaving works in a pinch (cover them to avoid splatters!), but you’ll lose a bit of that signature crispiness.

FAQs

Can I use whole wings or wingettes instead of drumettes?

Absolutely! This recipe works with any part of the chicken wing. Just adjust the cook time depending on size and thickness—start checking after 16 minutes, and add small increments of time as needed until you get that irresistible golden crispiness.

Do I need to marinate the chicken beforehand?

No marinating is required for Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Wings! Cooking the wings plain lets their natural flavor shine, and the honey mustard sauce adds plenty of punch and moisture after they’re cooked.

How do I make the wings less spicy?

If you’re not a fan of heat, just cut back on the cayenne pepper or skip the red pepper flakes. You’ll still get all the sweetness and tang from the honey mustard sauce, but with a gentler, family-friendly flavor.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Definitely! Whip up the honey mustard sauce in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Reheat gently before tossing with freshly cooked wings, and it’s ready to go in seconds.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You can make equally tasty wings by baking them on a wire rack in the oven at 425 degrees F for about 40 minutes, flipping halfway. You’ll lose a little crispiness, but the honey mustard glaze will still be a knockout!

Final Thoughts

Bold, sweet, tangy, and seriously crunchy, Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Wings are the kind of dish everyone should have in their weekend recipe arsenal. With only a handful of ingredients and minimal fuss, you’ll be wowed by the flavor and texture—and so will your friends. Give this recipe a try, and don’t be surprised when you get asked to host wing night every week!

Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Wings Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 13 reviews

Author: Noah
Total Time: 28 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

These Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Wings are the perfect balance of sweet and savory, with a crispy texture that will have you reaching for seconds. The honey mustard sauce adds a flavorful kick that elevates this classic dish.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken Wings:

12 chicken drumettes

For the Honey Mustard Sauce:

1/4 cup Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.

Add chicken drumettes to the basket of your air fryer and cook for 8 minutes.

Flip the chicken drumettes and cook for another 8 minutes.
If needed, cook for an additional 2 minutes until crispy and fully cooked.
Warm Dijon mustard, honey, butter, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and kosher salt in a skillet.

Remove from heat.