Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken

Table of Contents

1. Let’s Dish: What To Know
2. Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Ingredients
3. Substitutions and Additions
4. How To Make This Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
5. How To Serve
6. Storage
7. Why We Love This Recipe
8. Frequently Asked Questions
9. More Recipes You’ll Love
10. JUMP TO RECIPE

This air fryer honey garlic chicken offers the flavor and texture of traditional fried chicken, without the guilt. The air fryer works its magic by creating a perfectly crispy coating, while keeping the inside tender and juicy. But the real star is the sauce—a sticky-sweet honey glaze that’s beautifully balanced by savory garlic and just the right amount of tangy vinegar. Bursting with bold flavors yet simple enough to make on a busy night, this recipe is as satisfying as it is easy to prepare.

Let’s Dish: What To Know

Main Ingredients: Chicken wings, honey, garlic, soy sauce, honey garlic seasoning.
Quick Steps: Season wings, air fry, cook honey garlic sauce, toss wings, air fry again.
Total Time & Yield: 20 minutes, yields 2 servings.

Why This Recipe

• This air fryer honey garlic chicken recipe brings together sweet and savory flavors in perfect harmony.

• Many recipes rely on a basic sugar and soy sauce combination, which can sometimes lack depth or texture. By incorporating honey and rice vinegar, our recipe is more nuanced.
• By using cornstarch, your chicken achieves an extra crispy coating that holds up well under the sauce. Many recipes skip this step, resulting in soggier chicken once the sauce is applied.
• The air fryer method gives the chicken a light, crispy texture that’s hard to achieve with stovetop cooking. The honey garlic sauce clings perfectly to the crispy chicken pieces, offering a sticky, flavorful coating that elevates each bite.
• With a total cook time of under 30 minutes, our recipe is ideal for busy families looking to whip up a quick and delicious dinner. Many recipes with similar flavor profiles often take longer or require marinating the chicken.
  

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Ingredients

You’ll need:

Substitutions and Additions

MINCED GARLIC: If fresh garlic is unavailable, use ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder per clove. Alternatively, you can use ½ teaspoon garlic flakes or ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic as a direct replacement for 1 teaspoon of minced garlic.

HONEY: You can substitute honey with an equal amount of maple syrup, agave nectar, or corn syrup, which have similar sweetness and texture. Molasses can also be used 1:1, though it will alter the flavor slightly.

SOY SAUCE: A 1:1 substitute for soy sauce is tamari, which is a gluten-free option with a very similar flavor. You can also use coconut aminos, which provides a slightly sweeter, less salty alternative. Both of these options work well in place of soy sauce while maintaining a comparable flavor profile.

How To Make This Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Whether served with rice, veggies, or enjoyed on its own, this recipe is sure to become a go-to favorite in your household.

STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and dry the wing pieces well with a paper towel. 

Make sure to check your air fryer manual for cooking time guidelines for your specific model, as times and temperatures vary depending on the type of air fryer you have.

STEP TWO: Toss the wings with one tablespoon of melted butter and then rub the honey garlic seasoning blend all over the chicken wings.

STEP THREE: Place the wings in an even, single layer in the preheated air fryer and cook for 7-9 minutes per side or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. 

You may need to cook them in batches, so you don’t overcrowd the air fryer.

STEP FOUR: While the wings are cooking, melt the remaining salted butter in a medium-sized saucepan. 

STEP FIVE: Add the minced garlic and saute in the hot butter until fragrant, about 1 minute. 

STEP SIX: Stir in the honey and soy sauce and bring to a simmer.

STEP SEVEN: Simmer for 5-7 minutes or until thick and syrup-like.

STEP EIGHT: When the wings have cooked, toss or dip them in the sauce until well coated. 

STEP NINE: Return to the air fryer for 1-2 minutes or until sticky and slightly charred. 

STEP TEN: Serve hot, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, optional. 

How To Serve

Serve the wings with roasted vegetables, such as cauliflower, broccoli, or potatoes. The crispy wings and tender veggies create a harmonious balance of flavors and textures.

Pair the wings with a bed of fluffy lemon rice or mushroom rice. The blend of proteins and grains offers a complete and filling dining experience.

Make your gathering unforgettable by arranging the wings on a platter with an assortment of dips and sauces—think blue cheese, ranch, and tangy barbecue sauce—for a crowd-pleasing party snack.

Air fryer recipes are great to have on hand for busy days. Check out our air fryer quesadilla and air fryer chicken breasts.

Storage

MAKE AHEAD: You can prepare the honey garlic sauce in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, warm the sauce and toss it with freshly air-fried wings.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftover cooked chicken wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days. Reheat them in the air fryer or oven for crispy deliciousness.

IN THE FREEZER: To freeze, place cooled wings in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll stay good for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat as instructed.

REHEATING: For best results, reheat wings in the air fryer or oven at 350°F until they’re heated through and crispy once again.

Why We Love This Recipe

This air fryer honey garlic chicken is a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and tangy:

• The sweetness comes from the honey, which creates a sticky, caramelized glaze on the crispy chicken.
• The garlic adds a bold, savory depth with slight pungency, balancing the sweetness.
• A hint of tanginess, often from rice vinegar or similar ingredients, cuts through the richness, giving the dish a more complex and rounded flavor.
• The air fryer method also adds a satisfying crispy texture to the chicken, which contrasts with the juicy, tender interior.

Air fryer honey chicken wings effortlessly combine the sweet allure of honey with the savory kick of garlic. From casual gatherings to busy weeknights, this recipe offers a delectable addition to any menu.

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