Guava BBQ wings made in the air fryer are the ultimate mix of sweet, smoky, and sticky-with just the right zing of fresh lime. The guava paste melts into a glossy, tropical glaze that clings to crispy wings like magic. Whether you're hosting game night, cooking for the fam, or just craving bold island flavor, these wings will have everyone reaching for seconds (and licking their fingers clean).
Let me show you how to make the easiest guava BBQ sauce at home-and how to get that irresistible crispy texture without deep frying.
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to bring these crispy guava BBQ wings to life. The list is simple, but every ingredient plays its part in building bold, irresistible flavor:
For the Chicken Wings:
- Chicken wings (I like to use a mix of flats and drumettes)
- Cold water, vinegar, and fresh lemon juice (for soaking and cleaning the wings)
- Cornstarch (this helps the wings crisp up beautifully in the air fryer)
- Olive oil
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Adobo seasoning (or your favorite all-purpose seasoning)
- Spray oil (I use avocado oil, but any neutral spray works)
For the Guava BBQ Sauce:
- Guava paste (cut it into chunks-it melts easier this way)
- Water
- Your favorite BBQ sauce (smoky, sweet, or spicy-totally up to you!)
- Fresh lime juice
- Lime zest (this brightens the sauce and gives it a citrusy pop)
How I Prep My Chicken Wings
Before we get into seasoning and air frying, I always start by cleaning and trimming the wings.
- Soak the wings in cold water, white vinegar, and lemon juice for about 10 minutes.
→ This helps neutralize odors and gives the wings a fresh, clean taste. - Drain and rinse thoroughly after soaking.
- Use kitchen shears or a sharp knife to trim any excess fat or loose skin.
- Remove any leftover pinfeathers-yes, it's an extra step, but it makes a big difference in the final bite.
Growing up, guava was always a staple in our pantry. The sticky sweetness of guava is one-of-a-kind, my father would add guava and cream cheese to his crackers, and in the Cuban world, there is no guava without cream cheese (just like in the beloved guava and cream cheese pastry).
As I began my own culinary journey, I started incorporating guava into more things, and I don't remember where or when I heard about adding guava to BBQ sauce, but as soon as I tested that out years ago, it's been my go to for chicken wings.
Add it to your grilled ribs for the ultimate finger licking experience!
Instructions
Ready to whip up the crispiest guava BBQ wings in the air fryer? These wings are easy to prep, packed with bold Latin flavor, and come together in just a few simple steps. Let's get started!
1. Prep the Chicken:
- Clean chicken wings by removing any stray feathers.
- Soak in a brine of water, vinegar, and lemon juice for 10 minutes. Rinse well and pat dry.
2. Season the Wings:
- In a large bowl, toss wings with cornstarch, olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, and adobo.
- Marinate for 1 hour (optional for deeper flavor).
3. Air Fry the Wings:
- Preheat air fryer to 390°F.
- Spray the basket with avocado oil spray.
- Arrange wings in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Spray wings lightly with oil.
- Cook for 10 minutes. Flip, then cook another 8-12 minutes, until crispy and fully cooked (internal temp 165°F).
4. Make the Guava BBQ Sauce:
- While wings cook, add water and guava paste to a small pot over medium-high heat.
- Stir until the guava melts into a smooth sauce.
- Reduce to medium-low and add BBQ sauce, lime juice, and lime zest. Stir and simmer for 3-4 minutes until combined.
Step 5: Check & Crisp the Wings
- Remove wings from the air fryer and check for doneness (should reach 165°F internally).
- For extra crispiness, return to air fryer for 2-3 more minutes.
- Optional: Brush wings lightly with guava sauce and crisp for 1-2 more minutes for caramelized edges.
Step 6: Toss & Serve
- Place wings in a large bowl.
- Pour the guava BBQ sauce over the wings and toss until evenly coated.
- Garnish with lime zest or chopped cilantro, and serve hot.
Dipping Sauces That Pair Perfectly
These guava BBQ wings are packed with flavor on their own, but a good dipping sauce takes things to the next level. Here are a few easy options that complement the sweet and smoky glaze:
- Garlic Lime Aioli (Creamy & Tangy)
- A mayo or Greek yogurt-based dip with lime juice, garlic, and a touch of salt balances the sweetness of the guava and adds a creamy contrast.
Tip: Add a pinch of cumin or smoked paprika to tie it back to the BBQ vibe.
- A mayo or Greek yogurt-based dip with lime juice, garlic, and a touch of salt balances the sweetness of the guava and adds a creamy contrast.
- Cilantro-Lime Crema (Fresh + Bright)
- Sour cream or crema mixed with lime juice and chopped cilantro. Super refreshing, especially if you added a little heat to your wings.
- Spicy Mayo or Chipotle Aioli (Creamy + Heat)
- If you want to turn up the heat, mix mayo with a bit of sriracha, chipotle powder, or adobo sauce from canned chipotles. It plays nicely with the guava's sweetness.
- Plain Ranch or Blue Cheese Dip (Safe Crowd-Pleaser)
- If you're serving picky eaters or kids, ranch or blue cheese is always a safe and creamy dip to cut the sweetness and round out the flavor.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you're into bold Latin flavors like these guava BBQ wings, don't stop here! Try my Puerto Rican pernil for your next Sunday dinner, or whip up a batch of Cuban mojo chicken if you love garlic and citrus together. And if you're planning a party, don't forget the pastelillos made in the air fryer or tostones with garlic dipping sauce-they're the perfect sidekick to these sticky-sweet wings.
People Also Ask
We're making a semi-homemade guava BBQ sauce by melting guava paste with a little water and mixing it with store-bought BBQ sauce, smoked paprika, and lime juice. It's quick, bold, and tropical-perfect for tossing with crispy wings.
For best flavor and texture, toss the wings in guava BBQ sauce after cooking. This keeps the skin crispy and lets the sticky sauce cling beautifully to the hot wings.
Guava pairs perfectly with smoky BBQ flavors, citrus like lime or orange, spicy chiles, and savory seasonings like garlic, cumin, and adobo-it brings a tropical sweetness that balances out bold, salty, or spicy ingredients.
Guava BBQ Wings
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
For Cleaning and Bringing the Wings
- 2 pounds chicken wings drummettes and flats
- 4 cups cold water to cover chicken
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- 1 large lemon or 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice
For Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon adobo seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Guava BBQ Sauce
- 6 oz guava paste cubed
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cup BBQ sauce I used Sweet Baby Ray's Original
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ lime juice
Optional: For Crispy Wings
- neutral oil spray
Instructions
Clean & Brine the Wings
- Soak wings in water, vinegar, and lemon juice for 10 minutes.Drain, rinse, and pat dry.
Trim & Season
- Trim excess fat, skin, or feathers.Toss wings with cornstarch, olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, and adobo.Optional: Let marinate for 1 hour.
Cook in the Air Fryer
- Preheat air fryer to 390°F and spray basket with oil.Place wings in a single layer, spray the tops.Cook for 10 minutes, flip, then cook another 8–12 minutes until crispy and cooked through.
Make the Guava BBQ Sauce
- In a small pot, melt guava paste with water over medium heat.Reduce the heat and stir in BBQ sauce, smoked paprika, lime juice, and lime zest.Simmer until smooth and sticky.
Optional: Crisp & Glaze
- Return wings to the air fryer for 2-3 minutes for extra crunch.Optional: Brush wings with sauce and crisp for 1 more minute.
Toss & Serve
- Place wings in a bowl and toss with the guava BBQ sauce.Serve hot with extra lime zest or your favorite dipping sides.
Notes
Oven-Baked Wings (Crispy Style)
- Prep as usual: Clean, brine, dry, season.
- Bake at 425°F on a wire rack over a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes, flip, then bake another 15-20 minutes until crispy and golden.
- Optional: Broil for the last 2-3 minutes to get that perfect crunch.
- Toss in guava BBQ sauce while hot.
Deep Fried Guava BBQ Wings (Ultra Crispy Method)
If you're going all-in for that golden, crispy bite, deep frying is the way to go. Just be sure to sauce them after frying so they stay crunchy!How to Deep Fry Wings:
- Prep the wings: Clean, brine, rinse, pat dry, and season as usual.
- Optional for extra crisp: Toss seasoned wings in 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch or flour right before frying.
- Heat oil to 350°F in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot (at least 2 inches of oil).
- Fry in batches for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
- Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
- Toss immediately in warm guava BBQ sauce while still hot.
Tips:
- Use a neutral high-heat oil like peanut, vegetable, or canola.
- Don't overcrowd the pot-fry in batches so the oil temp stays consistent.
- You can even double fry for extra crunch: fry once at 325°F until pale, rest, then fry again at 375°F to crisp.
