If you’re craving wings from Hooter’s but don’t want to leave the house, then I’ve got the perfect solution. Just make these air fryer Hooters wings, which are a delicious copycat recipe of the restaurant version that you can make right at home. They’re perfect for snacking, game day, and more!
What Are Air Fryer Hooters Wings?
Air fryer Hooters wings are a homemade copycat recipe version of the famous Hooters-style chicken wings, cooked in an air fryer for a crispy texture with less oil than deep frying.
The classic Hooters Original Style Wings are breaded, giving them a crunchy, golden exterior that holds onto sauce well. The air fryer makes them crispy and delicious, and perfect for tossing in Hooter’s signature wing sauces!
To make it even easier, Hooter’s sells both breading mix and sauce in stores, so you don’t have to fuss much to make a really spot-on duplicate recipe at home!
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Ingredients Needed
- 2 – 2 ½ pounds chicken wings (defrosted if frozen)
- ½ of a 1 pound bag Hooter’s wing breading mix
- Hooter’s wing sauce, any flavor (optional)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- I use wingettes which are already split into drums and flats, but you can use whole wings and split them (discard the tips) if you prefer
- The breading mix is also great on seafood and vegetables, so you can save the remainder for use in another dish!
- Instead of using the pre-made breading, you can also make your own. Combine ½ cup all purpose flour, ½ tsp paprika and garlic powder, plus kosher salt and cayenne pepper (or black pepper) to taste
- You can use any flavor of wing sauce you like, and feel free to substitute other brands besides Hooter’s. You can also make your own with a combination of equal parts hot sauce (like Frank’s Red Hot sauce or Louisiana hot sauce) and butter
How to Make Air Fryer Hooter’s Chicken Wings
- Pat your wings dry thoroughly
- In a zippered bag or medium-sized bowl, combine the wings with the wing breading, and shake or toss until the wings are well-coated
- Let the wings rest in your refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the breading to adhere better
- Place wings into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer, then spritz the tops with a mist of olive oil or cooking spray (which helps promote better browning)
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 10 minutes, then flip, reapply oil, and cook an additional 10-20 minutes, until wings are browned, crisped, and internal temperature reaches at least 165°F. Cooking time can vary between air fryers and wing sizes, so you’ll want to check yours to be certain. I prefer to cook mine a little “overdone” to get the exterior extra crispy
- Toss wings in the wing sauce just before serving. Enjoy!
What to Serve With Hooter’s Wings
Hooters wings pair well with a variety of sides, dips, and drinks to create a complete meal! Here are some of my favorite serving suggestions:
Side Dishes
- French Fries – Crispy, seasoned fries are a classic pairing, just like at the restaurant
- Onion Rings – Crunchy and golden, these add extra texture to your meal. Try my quick Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings for a delicious option!
- Coleslaw – A refreshing, tangy side to balance the heat of the wings
- Celery and Carrot Sticks – Traditional wing accompaniments that add a crisp, fresh contrast
- Mac and Cheese – A creamy, comforting side that complements spicy wings
Dips and Sauces
- Ranch Dressing – A cooling dip that balances the heat of buffalo wings
- Blue Cheese Dressing – A bold, tangy dip that enhances the wing flavors!
- Honey Mustard – A sweet and tangy option for those who like a milder dip
Drinks
- Beer – Light lagers, IPAs, or wheat beers complement the spice and crispiness
- Lemonade – A refreshing, citrusy drink to cut through the heat
- Iced Tea – Sweet or unsweetened, this is a great non-alcoholic option!
- Cocktails – A cold margarita or a whiskey sour pairs well with bold wing flavors. Try a Peanut Butter Whiskey Sour, Strawberry Whiskey Sour, or a Chili Coconut Margarita for an extra kick!
Recipe FAQs
What Are the Benefits of Using an Air Fryer to Cook Wings?
Air fryers offer a healthier alternative to deep frying while still achieving crispy, flavorful wings. They require little to no oil, reducing excess fat and calories.
They also cook wings quickly and evenly, with minimal mess compared to deep frying. Additionally, air frying produces a satisfying crunch, whether you choose to bread your wings or not.
How Long Does It Take for Wings to Cook in an Air Fryer?
Cooking times vary depending on the size of the wings and the air fryer model, but generally, wings take 20–25 minutes at 375–400°F (190–200°C).
To ensure even cooking, flip them halfway through.
Why Are My Wings Not Crispy in the Air Fryer?
If your wings aren’t crispy, it may be due to excess moisture on the skin. Always pat the wings dry before cooking and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation.
Cooking at too low a temperature can also prevent crisping—aim for at least 375°F (though 400°F is better) for the best results. If needed, a light coating of oil or an extra few minutes in the air fryer can help achieve the desired crunch.
Are Hooters Wings Breaded?
Hooters offers both breaded and naked (unbreaded) wings, depending on your preference. Their traditional Hooters Original Style Wings are hand-breaded before frying, while their Naked Wings are simply seasoned and cooked without breading.
If using an air fryer, unbreaded wings typically turn out crispier, while breaded wings may need a light spray of oil to achieve a golden-brown finish.
Tips For the Best Hooter’s Copycat Wings
- You can also deep fry your wings at 350°F for 12-15 minutes, but this requires significantly more oil (use a vegetable oil)
- The wings will start to get less crispy after the sauce is added. I recommend consuming immediately for the best texture. Alternatively, you can always serve the wing sauce on the side for dipping instead!
- My flats were fully cooked temperature-wise in 20 minutes, and my drumsticks took about 25 due to the size difference. However, in both cases, I give them an extra 5-10 minutes to get a really crispy exterior, which is important to help them keep crisped after saucing
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container or zippered bag in the fridge for 3-4 days
- To reheat wings in the air fryer from refrigerated, use a temperature of 350°F for about 5-8 minutes, depending on the size of the wings. Flip at least once so you get them recrisped on all sides.
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Final Thoughts
These copycat air fryer Hooters wings are perfect as an appetizer, snack, or for game day and the Super Bowl! They come out crispy outside, while staying juicy and delicious inside. Best of all, they have all the restaurant flavor you love, without ever leaving home!
This is one of my favorite easy air fryer recipes since it delivers delicious wings with just 3 ingredients! Sure, it’s a little bit of a shortcut to making your own breading or sauce, but this allows you to get that classic Hooter’s flavor more spot on, and with less effort.
If you’re looking for more great restaurant dupes to try, check out all of my amazing Copycat Recipes to find entrees, drinks, snacks, and more from your favorite eateries.
Air Fryer Hooters Wings (Copycat Recipe)
Equipment
- Mixing bowl (or zippered bag)
Ingredients
- 2 – 2 ½ pounds chicken wings (defrosted if frozen)
- 8 ounces Hooter’s wing breading mix
- Olive oil mist (or similar)
- ½ jar Hooters wing sauce, any flavor (optional)
Instructions
- Pat your wings dry2 – 2 ½ pounds chicken wings
- In a zippered bag or medium-sized bowl, combine the wings with the wing breading, and shake or toss until the wings are well-coated8 ounces Hooter’s wing breading mix
- Let the wings rest in your refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the breading to stick
- Place wings into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer, then spritz the tops with a mist of olive oil or cooking sprayOlive oil mist
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 10 minutes, then flip, reapply oil, and cook an additional 10-20 minutes, until wings are browned, crisped, and internal temperature reaches at least 165°F. Cooking time can vary between air fryers and wing sizes, so you’ll want to check yours to be certain. Feel free to add an extra 5-10 minutes to make them extra crispy!
- Toss wings in the wing sauce just before serving. Enjoy!½ jar Hooters wing sauce, any flavor
Notes
- Use wingettes which are already split into drums and flats, or use whole wings and split them (discard the tips)
- The wings will start to get less crispy after the sauce is added. Consume immediately for the best texture, or serve the wing sauce on the side for dipping instead
- My flats were fully cooked temperature-wise in 20 minutes, and my drumsticks took about 25 due to the size difference. However, in both cases, I give them an extra 5-10 minutes to get a really crispy exterior, which is important to help them keep crisped after saucing
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, size of wings, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
