Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings: Better Than Deep-Fried in 30 Minutes.
Introduction.
I have a recipe for making chicken wings differently. I am sharing that secret with you today. Last week, I took my friends to a party where we made chicken wings in my Air Fryer. At that time, I met my best friend Mike, who only likes traditional fried wings. But that day, he tried the chicken wings I brought. At that time, he asked me where I had ordered these. When I told him that I made these in my air fryer, he was surprised.
We all know the problems that come with the old methods, hot oil spreads everywhere in your kitchen and leaves a strong smell for days. However, the air fryer method I am going to teach you today can produce crispy chicken wings without any hassle.
The recipe shown here is not just about using an Air fryer. It also requires the addition of a special ingredient. That’s what the baking powder does to the chicken, making it extra crispy. It really changes the texture.
(Photo by Harry Dona: Pexels)
Ingredients.
Here’s what you’ll need to make wings that’ll have everyone asking for your recipe:
For the Wings:
- 2 pounds chicken wings. (drumettes and flats, separated)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder. (NOT baking soda – trust me on this one)
- 1 teaspoon salt.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper.
- ½ teaspoon onion powder.
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper. (optional, for heat lovers)
For the Classic Buffalo Sauce:
- ½ cup Frank’s Red Hot sauce. (or your favourite hot sauce)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter.
- 1 tablespoon honey.
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder.
(Image generated using Whisk AI)
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Crispy Chicken Wings.
Step 1: First, use paper towels to thoroughly dry your chicken wings. This is a must-do step. If the skin is wet, we won’t get the desired crispiness. Once the wings are completely dry, add them to a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Add baking powder, salt, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, and curry powder to the large mixing bowl with your dried wings. Mix until the wings are well coated.
Step 3: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F before placing the wings in the air fryer. Please don’t skip this step, as this preheating will help to give them a nice crispiness.
Then place the wings in a single layer on the rack. Don’t stack them on top of each other, as you need room for the hot air to circulate between them. If your air fryer is small, cook them in two or three batches. It will take a little longer, but you will get a better result.
Step 4: Cook the wings in your air fryer at 380°F for 12 minutes. Please note that different air fryer models have varying cooking times. You will know they are ready for the next step when the chicken wings turn a light golden brown. But they will not be crispy yet. That is what we want.
Step 5: Now flip all the wings over and increase the temperature to 400°F. This will make them really crispy. Cook for an additional 12-15 minutes, until the wings are a nice golden brown. You can tell they are done when the skin starts to crisp up and pull away from the meat a little.
Step 6: While the wings are cooking, make the Buffalo sauce. This Buffalo sauce is effortless to make. But it tastes fantastic. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Then add the hot sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic, stir, and let it bubble gently for about two minutes. My secret ingredient in this Buffalo sauce is honey. Adding honey to the sauce reduces its harshness and perfectly balances the heat with the spices.
Step 7: As a final step, remove your chicken wings from the Air fryer. They should be a perfect golden brown by now. You can now eat them plain if you want. If you are adding sauce, transfer the Crispy Chicken Wings to a clean bowl, add the sauce, and stir gently. Serve.
“For the best results, always make sure your chicken wings are cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F, as recommended by the USDA Food Safety Guidelines."
Cooking Tips.
Tip 1: Use baking powder – I know it may seem unusual to add baking powder to chicken, but it can help enhance the flavour. However, it is this baking powder that enables us to achieve the desired crispness. Remember, you should use baking powder, not baking soda.
Tip 2: Preserve the Crispiness – If you are making these Crispy Chicken Wings for a party, keep the Chicken Wings and the sauce in separate bowls. Once you pour the sauce on the wings, they will start to soften after about 15 minutes. So to preserve the crispiness of these Chicken Wings, let the people eating them add the sauce. Otherwise, wait until the last minute to add the sauce.
Tip 3: Try the Overnight Trick - If you want to give these Crispy Chicken Wings the ultimate crispiness, add baking powder the night before, season well, and refrigerate them uncovered overnight. This step will dry out the skin thoroughly, so they will be extra crispy when you cook them. This step is not mandatory, but if you have the time and space in your refrigerator, try this method.
Reasons to Try This Recipe.
I have made chicken wings countless times, but this recipe has become my favourite for many reasons.
The first reason is the flavour. These Crispy Chicken Wings are chewy, with a crispy skin that bursts, and the inside is juicy and perfect. Another reason to love these Crispy Chicken Wings is their simplicity. You don’t have to watch a pan of oil or deal with oil splatter all over your stove. And you don’t have to worry about the smell of fried food that has been sitting around for days.
Season the wings, place them in the air fryer, and flip them once. These crispy chicken wings are done. I made these while doing other chores around the house, which you can’t do when you’re deep-frying wings.
Another great thing about these Crispy Chicken Wings is that you can vary the flavours. Once you know how to make them crispy, you can try any sauce or seasoning you like. Make BBQ wings one night, or try something spicy like Korean sauce. These crispy chicken wings pair well with a variety of dishes.
Healthier Swaps.
Swap 1: Skip the butter to cut calories - If you want to make these Crispy Chicken Wings healthier, consider skipping the butter and using a tablespoon of olive oil instead when making the Buffalo sauce. This change won’t give you quite the rich and creamy flavour, but it will save you about 300 calories.
Swap 2: Try skinless wings to save calories - You can make this recipe using skinless wings. They won’t be as crispy, but will be juicy and delicious. This is a great way to cut calories, and you can make it in as little as 15 minutes without the skin. This option is ideal for individuals who are watching their calorie intake.
Swap 3: Change Your Sauce – Don’t want to use Buffalo sauce and butter? Then mix hot sauce with Greek yoghurt instead. It’s a great option to lighten up those Crispy Chicken wings. But it still has a good flavour. Or keep it really simple and squeeze fresh lime juice over the cooked wings so you don’t need to use sauce.
"More chicken recipes you’ll love"
If you enjoyed these crispy air fryer wings, don’t miss my Crispy Baked Chicken Recipe – it’s just as golden, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight dinners!
✅ Advantages Of Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings.
Honestly, this Crispy Chicken Wings recipe is speedy and easy for you. It takes about 30 minutes from start to finish to make this recipe. It’s faster than ordering out and is a lot cheaper for you. It will cost you between $8 and $10 to make a batch of these chicken wings at home. If you buy the same size batch from a restaurant, it can cost you between $15 and $20.
This recipe is ideal for parties because it allows you the flexibility to prepare additional batches while your guests are eating. You don’t have to stand right next to the oven to put them in and cook them again. People won’t believe how crispy they are.
Cleanup is super easy. All you need is an air fryer basket and a bowl to wash it with. It’s much easier than dealing with used oil.
❌ Disadvantages Of Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings.
Let me tell you straight up, you need an Air Fryer to make this Crispy Chicken Wings recipe. You could try using your oven instead, but we didn’t get the desired result.
Also, while wings are a better choice than deep-fried ones, they aren’t the healthiest option. If you use a lot of savoury sauce, you’re adding more calories and salt.
Another thing to note is that most Air Fryers can only cook approximately 2 pounds of wings at a time. So, if you’re making these Crispy Chicken Wings for a large group, you’ll need to spend a considerable amount of time preparing multiple batches.
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Conclusion.
There are many ways to make chicken wings, but this is the recipe I always make. The reason is that this recipe yields the perfect, crispy, and juicy wings that you would typically find in a restaurant. But it is surprisingly easy to make at home. This is an excellent solution for a quick dinner.
If you have never made chicken wings before and think that the air fryer is a fad, don’t worry. Give this recipe a try. I am sure that once you make chicken wings this way, you will never go back to the old way. Your friends will ask you how you made them, and your family will want them every week. They will wonder why you ever cooked chicken wings this way.
Get some chicken wings from the store and get your air fryer ready. And get ready to be everyone’s favourite chef. Trust me, you will be so glad you learned this recipe.
FAQs.
1. Question: Can I cook frozen wings in an air fryer?
- Answer: Yes, you can cook frozen wings in your air fryer. First, cook them at 360°F for about 15 minutes. This will help thaw the wings. Then, flip them over and cook them like fresh wings. Remember to add about five minutes to the cooking time. They may not be as crispy as fresh wings, but they will still taste great.
2. Question: Why are my chicken wings sometimes soggy?
- Answer: The main reason your chicken wings are soggy instead of crispy is that they are not dried out enough. Always pat the wings dry thoroughly with paper towels before frying.
3. Question: Can I make these ahead of time for a party?
- Answer: Yes, you can season the wings up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate them. However, I recommend cooking them fresh when you have guests over. If you want to cook them ahead of time, keep them warm in a 200°F oven on a wire rack. They will stay crispy for about an hour.
4. Question: What is the best air fryer temperature for cooking chicken wings?
- Answer: For the best crispy chicken wings, use two different temperatures. Start at 380°F to ensure the wings are fully cooked. Then increase to 400°F to crisp them up. Don’t use high heat throughout the cooking process. If you start at 400°F or higher, the wings may be raw on the inside but burnt on the outside. If you keep the heat too low, your wings won’t develop a nice, crispy crust, so use the two-temperature method.