Copy Cat Hooters Wings in the Air Fryer

Love the wings at Hooters?  Now you can make them at home, right in your air fryer! A lighter option to fried wings.

Hot wings are by far one of my favorite pub foods, and it seems everyone has their own twist.  Well, back in the day, I always loved the hot wings at Hooters.  But they have long since closed, and we have had to find other wing joints to frequent.  Then one day, I thought, “what if I made them at home? in the air fryer … ?” and these Air Fryer Copy Cat Hooters Wings were born.  

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Are you a ranch or bleu cheese dressing dipper when it comes to hot wings?  I could go either way, but if I had to choose, it would be ranch.  And the more celery the better! 

I love my wings hot.  Like buffalo hot.  In fact, that whole burning your mouth is one of the things I love about wings.  I know, I sound nuts.  (I probably am, but that’s beside the point. 😉 ) 

That cool crisp celery and creamy dressing (and an ice cold beer!) are just what hot wings need! 

Don’t forget to pin them before you go!

Remember when Hooters first came on the scene?  That was a long time ago! Of course, it was always one of those places that you assumed would be all “dudes.”   I mean,  cute girls in tight white t-shirts, shorts and …..pantyhose .?.?.?… I never could quite get the whole shiny pantyhose thing?? 

At first when they came to town it was like one of those places the hubs would go for lunch with guys from the office.   Of course, it didn’t come without a certain amount of razzing from me.  But he kept talking about the wings and how good they were.  So, I finally told him to take me along.  I was hooked.  

Hot wings, beer and football.  Why not?  

Plus, he hates celery, so I get all of that, too.  So #winning. 

Ingredients in Hooter’s Wings:

• wings and drummies
• butter
• Louisiana Hot Pepper Sauce
• flour
• salt & pepper
• cayenne pepper and paprika
• garlic powder
• kosher salt

This recipe uses the buttery hot sauce that Hooter’s restaurant fries their wings in, only you are making them in the air fryer. 

Please note that air fryers and cooking times can vary.  Chicken needs to have an internal temperature of 165° Fahrenheit (75° Celsius.)

Make your coating by mixing together flour, salt, cayenne and paprika.  

You’ll coat the chicken in this mixture, and lay the pieces on a baking sheet.  Refrigerate.  

While you’re waiting, mix up your buttery hot dipping sauce.   Hooter’s uses Louisiana Hot Sauce.  

Butter, hot sauce, garlic powder, Kosher salt and black pepper.  

Refrigerated wings get dipped into the warm butter, then back into the flour mixture.

Then cooked in the air fryer.  I had to do mine in smaller batches, as my air fryer isn’t really big.  Make sure they are on a single layer and not too crowded.  

I flipped them halfway through the cook time.  

Serve with celery and your favorite dressing for dipping.  

These are perfect for watch parties, don’t you think?

Dipped in Buttermilk Ranch or Bleu Cheese Dressing, they are sure to be a hit!  

Another great wing recipe: Honey Sriracha Wings! 

Great Air Fryer Appetizers: 

• Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli
• Bacon Wrapped Shrimp in the Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Buffalo Ranch Dipping Sauce
• Air Fryer Soft Pretzel Bites
• Air Fryer Alfredo Risotto Balls (Arancini) 
• Easy Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breasts

Don’t second guess if your chicken is done or not.  This Thermapen Mk4 is the best meat thermometer I have ever owned!  

If you love appetizers and tailgating like we do, you need to follow my “Game On! Tailgating Food” Board on Pinterest! 

Let’s get to the recipe! 

4.41 from 62 votes

Print Recipe

Copy Cat Hooter Wings in the Air Fryer

Love the wings at Hooters?  Now you can make them at home, right in your air fryer! A lighter option to fried wings.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Additional Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course: Chicken

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Air Fryer Method, Copycat, Hooters, Wings

Calories: 226kcal

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Equipment

• Thermapen Mk4 Instant-read Thermometer 
• Hamilton Beach Air Fryer Oven Digital and Programmable, Nonstick (35050), 2.5 Liters, Black

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 1 2.5 pound bag frozen chicken wings and drummies thawed
• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 stick 1/2 cup salted butter
• 1/4 cup Louisiana Hot Pepper Sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

Instructions

• Combine flour, salt, cayenne pepper and paprika in a bowl.
• Coat chicken wings in flour mixture, and place on a baking sheet. Refrigerate for one hour.
• In a saucepan, combine butter, hot sauce, garlic powder, black pepper and Kosher salt. Warm until butter is melted.
• Dip refrigerated wings into butter mixture, then into flour mixture once more.
• Place wings in the basket of your air fryer, in a single layer, taking care not to crowd them.
• Set temperature to 400 degrees F. Cook for about 10 minutes, flip the wings over, and continue to cooking for another 10 minutes. Chicken internal temperature should be 160 degrees F.
• Serve with ranch or bleu cheese dressing and chilled celery sticks.

Notes

Please note that air fryers and cooking times can vary.  Chicken needs to have an internal temperature of 165° Fahrenheit (75° Celsius.)

Nutrition

Calories: 226kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 1400mg | Fiber: 2g