These dry rub chicken wings are crispy on the outside, and seasoned to perfection! The spice rub is made with seasonings that you likely already have in your pantry. They're great for get-togethers, game days, or family dinners. You can bake them in the oven, or cook them in your air fryer. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces and side dishes!

Easy dry rub for chicken wings

This homemade dry rub for chicken wings is the perfect recipe to give your wings a kick of flavor! This simple recipe uses seasonings you likely already have in your pantry. They are also keto friendly and gluten-free! 

These dry rub chicken wings can be made in the oven or air fryer. Coat the wings in the seasoning, and cook according to your preferred cooking method.

Serve the wings with your favorite dipping sauces, and side dishes for a complete meal!

What does dry rub wings mean?

A dry rub is a blend of seasonings and spices that you rub on meat before cooking. The seasoning rub cooks with the meat resulting in a crispy, flavorful coating on the meat.

Making a rub for chicken wings is a flavorful alternative to making sauced or marinated wings. Some popular examples of dry rub chicken wing flavors include lemon pepper and cajun.

Ingredients for dry rub chicken wings

• Chicken Wings - I recommend using party wings. They usually include a combination of flats and drums.
• Garlic powder 
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika - Adds a delicious smoky flavor to the wings and some nice color.
• Chili powder
• Brown Sweetener - You can use brown sugar if you don't care about the carbs. 
• Salt and Pepper
• Cayenne Pepper - Optional, only add cayenne pepper if you like your wings a little spicy.
• Olive Oil - Olive oil helps the seasoning stick to the wings, and makes the skin get crispy during the cooking process.

How to make dry rub chicken wings

To make oven-baked dry rub wings:

1. Start by combining all of the seasonings in a small bowl.
2. Add the wings to a large bowl, and add the dry rub seasonings and the olive oil. Mix everything ensuring that the wings are evenly coated.
3. Arrange the wings on a lined baking sheet, and bake for 40 minutes at 400 degrees. Flip the wings over halfway through the cooking time.
4. Serve with your favorite wing dipping sauces.

To air fry dry rub chicken wings:

1. Start by combining all of the seasonings in a small bowl.
2. Add the wings to a large bowl, and add the dry rub seasonings and the olive oil. Mix everything ensuring that the wings are evenly coated.
3. Arrange the wings in the air fryer basket, and air fry them for 15 minutes at 400 degrees. Flip the wings over halfway through the cooking time.
4. Serve with your favorite wing dipping sauces.

Pro tip: Add 1 tablespoon of baking powder to the seasoning mixture for crispier breaded chicken wings.

Dipping sauces to serve with dry rub wings

While these wings taste great all on their own, these dipping sauces pair well with dry rub chicken wings:

• Ranch
• Blue cheese
• Buffalo sauce
• Barbecue sauce
• Honey mustard

Storing and reheating leftover wings

Cooked chicken wings may be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wings may be reheated in the air fryer or microwave. I prefer reheating in the air fryer, as the wings come out crispier.

Frequently asked questions

• What types of wings should I use for dry rub chicken wings? I recommend using party wings, or a combination of flats and drums. If you decide to use bigger wings, you will need to increase the cooking time.
• How do you get the seasoning to stick to the chicken wings? Coating the wings in olive oil helps the seasoning to stick to the wings.
• When should you add dry rub seasoning to the wings? You should add seasoning to the wings before cooking. This allows the flavor of the seasonings to marry with the wings.
• Can you dry rub frozen chicken wings? Chicken wings should be completely thawed before adding dry rub seasoning. The seasonings will not stick to the wings if they are cooked while frozen.

More chicken wing recipes

• Marinated Chicken Wings
• Crispy Oven Fried Chicken Wings
• Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
• Sticky Crispy Asian Wings