Entertaining for a crowd, but forgot to thaw the chicken wings? No worries you can make my easy recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Wings from Frozen in about 30 minutes time!
The big game is this weekend. How can that possibly be? Whether your staying in or heading to a friends house my Instant Pot Chicken Wings from Frozen recipe is going to have your crowd cheering for more! My husband told me these were the best fall-off-the-bone wings he has ever had (and he has ate a lot of chicken wings in his young lifetime). I’m diving deeper with my love for my Instant Pot this year and working on quite a few “basics” recipes.
Table of contents
What do you need to cook chicken wings and drumsticks in the Instant Pot?
Here is what you will need to make Instant Pot Chicken Wings.
- 6 quart Instant Pot
- Steamer Trivet (or Trivet that comes with your Instant Pot)
- Measuring Cup
- Water
- Chicken Wings
- Baking Sheet
- Wire Rack
- Cooking Spray
- Mixing Bowl
- Sauce of Choice
- Tongs
How do you cook chicken wings in the Instant Pot?
The key to making frozen chicken wings in the Instant Pot is to make sure they aren’t frozen in one big block. They need to be individually frozen. I buy a 2 pound bag from Earth Fare and they are individual pieces. Perfect for this recipe.
First, you’ll want to place the trivet that comes with your Instant Pot inside the Instant Pot. Then add water. Carefully stack the wings on top of the trivet trying to make sure that none touch the bottom. Spoiler alert: I had a few fall to the bottom and they still came out fine.
Next set your Instant Pot to cook for 12 minutes. Then, let it naturally rest for 5 minutes. While the wings rest, spray the wire rack with cooking spray then set on top of a baking sheet. Preheat your oven to a high broil. Carefully, force pressure after the 5 minutes is up. Transfer to a bowl with sauce of choice. Mix well (carefully because they will practically fall off the bone), then, using tongs, place on to a sprayed wire rack.
Once all the wings are on the rack place in the oven for 3-5 minutes until golden. Remove from the oven, flip every wing over, and repeat until the other side is golden in color and crispy. Remove the chicken wings from the oven, plate, and serve with your favorite ranch or bleu cheese dressing, carrot and celery sticks!
Within a half hours time you’ll have the most amazing fall-off-the-bone chicken wings!
FAQ
If you are doing the Keto diet you might be wondering if instant pot frozen chicken wings are Keto? The answer is, yes! Chicken wings are a great source of protein. Franks Red Hot Buffalo Sauce is also Keto friendly. Making these chicken wings and chicken drumsticks the perfect meal to enjoy if your doing a low-carb diet or Keto!
I figured why couldn’t I cook chicken wings in the Instant Pot? Even better–from frozen. So I tested, and tested again and well they came out just about perfect every single time. So the answer is, yes!
You could serve them right out of the Instant Pot; however, I like to put them under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp the skin. The results give you the same great taste as a fried wing except they are much more tender! Fall off the bone, to be exact. I toss my chicken wings in Franks RedHot Buffalo Sauce, but you can use barbecue, teriyaki, a little lemon garlic marinade or make your own. The sky is the limit!
Looking for more game day snacking recipes?
Here are a few of my most popular/my favorites that I love to serve during sporting events!
- Bacon and Chive Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Loaded Chili Cheese Nachos
- Buffalo Chicken Flatbread
- Bacon Cheddar Fries
Whether it’s just you and your partner or a crowd full of friends and family. Don’t stress if you forgot to defrost the chicken wings! Embrace it and your Instant Pot and make my pressure cooker frozen chicken drumsticks!
If you make this recipe, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!
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Instant Pot Chicken Wings from Frozen
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. Frozen Chicken Wings
- 1 cup Water
- Cooking Spray
- 1 cup Sauce of Choice
- Optional Serving Suggestions: Bleu Cheese Dressing Ranch Dressing, Celery and Carrot sticks
Instructions
- Place the trivet into the Instant Pot. Carefully stack the wings on top of the trivet trying to make sure that none touch the bottom.
- Select “Manual” and cook for 12 minutes. Then, let the IP naturally rest for 5 minutes. While the wings rest, spray the wire rack with cooking spray then set on top of a baking sheet.
- Preheat your oven to a high broil.
- Carefully, force pressure after the 5 minutes are up. Transfer to a bowl with sauce of choice. Mix well (carefully because they will practically fall off the bone), then, using tongs, place on to the sprayed wire rack.
- Once all the wings are on the rack place in the oven for 3-5 minutes until golden (watch them carefully to ensure they don’t burn). Remove from the oven, flip every wing/drum over, and repeat until the other side is golden in color and crispy (about 3-5 minutes depending on your oven).
- Remove the chicken wings from the oven, plate, and serve with your favorite ranch or bleu cheese dressing, carrot and celery sticks!
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: There are affiliate links present in this post. That means if you click on a link and purchase something. I will receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your continuous support of Katie’s Cucina!
Talia
About to make these but I wasn’t sure what “carefully force pressure after the five minutes is up” meant?. Are you referring to manually releasing pressure on the ip after 5 minutes or are you referring to letting them broil in the oven for 5 minutes after the 5 minutes of them resting in the ip and then tossing them in sauce then putting them back in the oven?? Thanks!
Katie
Hi Talia, I was referring to the manually releasing the pressure from the the IP. Hope you enjoyed the recipe. 🙂
Sara
When putting in the instant pot cook 12 mins at what temp and what setting?
Katie
Hi Sara, I have an original Instant Pot and I use the “manual” setting. If you read step 2 in the direction it reads “Select “Manual” and cook for 12 minutes. Then, let the IP naturally rest for 5 minutes.”. Hope that helps answer your question.
emk
Is the 1 cup of water for the instapot?
Maybe i missed the directions for that
Katie
Hi, yes the 1 cup of water is for the Instant Pot.
Jody
Best Ive ever made! They were just like you said – fall off the bone and I doubles the recipe!! Making a second batch tonight, not frozen so I put the instant pot on 10 min. We will see!!
Katie
Jody, thank you so much for taking the time to share that you love this recipe so much!
Sally S Wieringa
The wings turned out great! But rather than putting in the oven to crisp them up a bit, I put them on a wire rack on the gas grill for a few minutes. Perfect!!
Katie
Hi Sally, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a 5-star comment. I love the idea of grilling the wings for a little bit!
Kayla
Love it!! I’ve been looking for a convenient wing recipe and I finally found our keeper ❤️ Thank you!!
Katie
Kayla, I’m so happy to read this! I love how no fail this recipe is and the wings result in fall of the bone and not dried out!
Terry
My family really enjoyed these. 2 pounds wasn’t enough to fill them up, though. If I double the recipe to 4 pounds of wings, how do I need to adjust the cooking time in the InstantPot?
Katie
Hi Terry, I’m glad everyone loved the wings. I have never tried to double the recipe. I personally would give it a try with the current cooking times. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. If the wings don’t hit 165 then put them back in for another minute or 2. Sorry I can’t be more of an assistance to you. Let me know if you try to double them!
Mindy
My family & I love these instant pot chicken wings from frozen. My kids & I have already made the recipe twice, we can’t wait to make them again! The wings are super tasty !
Katie
Hi Mindy! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. I’m so happy you and your family love this recipe so much!