How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Wings in Under 30 Minutes!

Learn how to make the best instant pot chicken wings recipe, fast! This easy appetizer is perfect for game day, potlucks, or busy weeknight family dinners. 🍗

If you need a fast, crowd-pleasing snack, you’re in the right place. Today I’m sharing a recipe that uses your pressure cooker, and trust me, this is a total game changer. You know those nights when everyone’s starving and you have zero time to cook? This recipe saves the day, every single time.

What Are These Pressure Cooker Wings?

So, what’s the big deal here? These wings are exactly what they sound like. You pressure cook them first, then finish them under the broiler for that crispy, saucy finish. It’s the best of both worlds. You get tender, juicy wings on the inside and a crispy bite on the outside. Honestly, it’s become my go-to easy recipe whenever friends come over.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what to grab before you start:

• 2 to 3 pounds of chicken wings (fresh or thawed wings both work great)
• 1 cup of water
• 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (or your favorite sauce, like bbq sauce or hot sauce)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

That’s it! Simple ingredients, big flavor. You probably have most of this in your kitchen already. Shop everything I used by clicking the images below to shop:

How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Wings

Ready for the fun part? Here’s the full cooking process, step by step. Watch by clicking play or read the instructions:

1. First, salt and pepper your chicken wings generously.
2. Next, place the trivet (or steamer basket) into the bottom of your instant pot.
3. Pour in 1 cup of water.
4. Add the chicken wings on top, in a single layer if you can manage it.
5. Close and seal the lid.
6. Set to manual high pressure for 12 minutes.
7. When the timer beeps, do a quick release right away. No need for a natural pressure release here, since we want the wings firm, not falling apart.
8. Carefully remove the wings from the instant pot.
9. Place them on a baking sheet and broil for 8 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees, until golden and slightly crispy.
10. Pull them out, toss them in your favorite wing sauce, and shake to coat.

And that’s your cook time! From start to finish, you’re looking at about 25 to 30 minutes total, which is a fraction of the time deep frying or oven-baking would take.

Places to Take (or Serve) These Wings

These wings are perfect for so many occasions, you know? Here are a few of my favorites:

• Game day get-togethers (they disappear fast on game night!)
• Backyard cookouts and potlucks
• Quick weeknight dinners with a side salad
• After-school snacks the kids actually get excited about
• Holiday appetizer spreads, right alongside your other party bites

Fun Variations to Try

Want to switch things up? Here are some tasty twists:

• Spicy kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to your hot sauce for extra heat.
• BBQ style: Swap the buffalo sauce for bbq sauce for a smoky, sweet flavor.
• Garlic lovers: Stir a little garlic powder and sesame oil into your sauce before tossing.
• Extra crispy: Finish the wings in an air fryer basket instead of broiling for a few minutes of added crunch.
• Low carb friendly: Skip sugary sauces and stick with a simple hot sauce and butter mix.

Can You Make These Ahead or Store Them?

Great question, and yes! You can absolutely make these wings ahead of time. Once cooked, let them cool completely, then pop them into an airtight container. They’ll keep in the fridge for about three to four days. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat them in the oven on a wire rack, or toss them back in the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp them back up. Pro tip: keep extra sauce on hand for reheating, since wings can dry out a bit in the fridge.

Common Questions About This Recipe

How long do you cook wings in the instant pot?Twelve minutes on manual high pressure does the trick, followed by a quick release.

Do I need to thaw wings first?Nope! Frozen wings work fine too, just add a couple extra minutes to the cook time.

Are instant pot wings actually crispy?They sure can be! The broiler or air fryer step at the end is what gives you that crispy exterior, so don’t skip it.

Can I double the recipe?Yes, as long as your wings still fit in a single layer (or close to it) in your instant pot or on your baking sheet.

Wrapping It Up

And there you have it, friend! The easiest instant pot chicken wings recipe for busy nights, game days, or whenever a craving hits. This one’s a keeper, I promise. If you loved this recipe, save it to Pinterest so you can find it again later, and don’t forget to join my email list for more quick, cute recipes and printables sent right to your inbox! 🦃🍪

More Instant Pot Recipes:

• Zuppa Toscana
• Panera Bread Mac & Cheese
• Instant Pot Ham
• Corned Beef & Cabbage
• Rigatoni with Sausage
• Chicken Stroganoff

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