Instant Pot Chicken Wings Recipe (Crispy & Juicy)

If you’ve ever wondered how to make crispy chicken wings in a fraction of the time, this Instant Pot chicken wings recipe is truly the best way to do it. Using a pressure cooker, you’ll get tender chicken wings on the inside and finish them off for that irresistible crispy skin on the outside.

Whether you’re making buffalo wings, BBQ chicken wings, or keeping them simple with a dry rub, this is one of those easy recipes you’ll come back to again and again.

Perfect for game night, family dinners, or even meal prep, these instant pot wings are a great appetizer or main dish.

Scroll down for the recipe card, followed by detailed step-by-step instructions (with photos). 

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I made this recipe for lunch on a Saturday. My Husband & Son went away for a mens church meeting in Georgia and I wanted to make sure they came home the next day to a yummy well prepared meal and a cheerful smile. So I pulled this recipe out. My husband loves anything buffalo, so I knew this would be sure to please my boys.

Crispy Instant Pot Chicken Wings Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The best part? It cooks in a fraction of the time
• Works in a 6-quart Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or similar
• Gives you the crispiest wings without deep frying
• Easy to customize with your favorite sauce like buffalo sauce, bbq sauce, or honey garlic sauce
• Naturally low carb (depending on sauces)

Why Use an Instant Pot Instead of Just Baking?

You might be wondering, why bother with a pressure cooker when you can just bake your wings in the oven the whole time?

Here’s the difference: the Instant Pot gives you incredibly tender chicken wings in a fraction of the time. Instead of waiting 45–60 minutes for oven-baked wings, you can have perfectly cooked wings in about 10 minutes of high pressure cooking time. That’s a huge win on busy nights.

Another big benefit is consistency. The pressure cooking process locks in moisture, so you never end up with dry or overcooked wings. Then, when you move to the next step (oven, broiler, or air fryer), you’re only focusing on getting that crispy skin, making it the best way to achieve both a juicy inside and crispy wings outside.

So while baking alone works, combining the Instant Pot with a quick crisping step is truly the best thing if you want fast, foolproof, and delicious results every time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this great recipe, you only need a few simple ingredients:

• 2–3 pounds of chicken wings (drumettes and flats)
• 1 cup of water or chicken broth
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika

For Crispy chicken wings:

• 1 tbsp baking powder (aluminum-free preferred)

Optional Wing Sauce Ideas:

• Buffalo sauce (add cayenne pepper for extra heat)
• BBQ sauce (try adding brown sugar for sweetness)
• Honey garlic sauce (with soy sauce and fresh ginger)

How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Wings

Step 1: Prep the Wings

Pat your fresh chicken wings dry using a paper towel. This step is key for getting that crispy skin later.

Step 2: Season

Place wings in a large bowl and toss with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. You can also add onion powder or cayenne pepper for extra flavor.

Step 3: Pressure Cook

Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of your pressure cooker.

Place a trivet or steamer basket inside and arrange the wings in a single layer if possible.

• Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes
• Allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes
• Then perform a quick release

This pressure cooking time ensures perfectly tender chicken wings every time.

Step 4: Dry & Coat

Remove wings and pat dry again with a paper towel.

Toss them with baking powder to help achieve that crispy texture. I use a fine mesh strainer and lightly tap on it to sprinkle over the wings, then I flip the wings over and do the other side! 🙂 Here is the mesh strainer I use if you need it!

Step 5: Crisp the Wings

Oven Method (Best Way)

• Preheat oven to 425°F
• Place wings on a wire rack over a baking sheet
• Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway

Step 6: Coat in your favorite Sauce

My husband LOVES buffalo sauce, so that is what I chose this time.

Sauce Ideas for Chicken Wings

Toss your wings in your favorite sauce or serve with dipping options:

• Classic buffalo sauce with blue cheese dressing
• Sweet and smoky bbq sauce
• Honey garlic (with soy sauce + brown sugar)
• Serve with celery sticks and ranch dressing

Tips for the Crispiest Wings

• Always pat wings dry with a paper towel
• Use baking powder (not baking soda)
• Arrange wings in a single layer
• Finish on a wire rack for airflow
• Don’t skip the second drying step

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To reheat:

• Air fryer: 5–7 minutes at 375°F
• Oven: 7–8 minutes at 400°F

This helps bring back that crispy texture.

FAQ

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This is truly one of the best Instant Pot recipes for busy families. You get juicy, flavorful wings with that perfect crispy finish, without the mess of deep frying.

If you try this recipe, share it on social media or save it for your next gathering, these wings are guaranteed to be a hit!