Air Fryer Breaded Wings: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air fryer breaded chicken wings are a healthier alternative to deep-fried wings, with a crispy exterior and juicy interior. The air fryer's high temperature and rapid air circulation produce crispy skin that cannot be achieved in an oven. The wings can be seasoned with a variety of spices and sauces, such as lemon pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and hot sauce. They are typically cooked at 400°F for 14-20 minutes, with the option to increase the temperature to 400°F for the last few minutes to ensure crispiness.

How to make breaded chicken wings in the air fryer

Ingredients:

• 1 lb of chicken wings
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Salt to taste

Optional ingredients:

• EVO Oil Sprayer
• Meat thermometer
• Favourite dipping sauce

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place your wings in a large dish. Drizzle the oil over them and toss to coat them.
• Combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper in a bowl to make the breading. One at a time, coat the wings in breading. Place them on a dry plate or paper towel until you have them all done.
• Put the wings inside the air fryer, leaving a little room around them. Cook for 14-16 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Once they are crispy, use a meat thermometer to make sure they have come to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Serve with your favourite dipping sauce.

Tips:

• Make sure there's a little space between each wing in the air fryer so the hot air can properly circulate. This ensures that the breading will get fully crispy on all sides!
• Spray the wings with an EVO Oil Sprayer to crisp up the breading halfway through cooking. This will also get rid of any white residue from the flour.
• After 7 or 8 minutes, use tongs to carefully flip the wings to ensure the breaded wings in the air fryer cook evenly.

What dipping sauces to serve with breaded wings

There are many different sauces that you can serve with breaded chicken wings. Here are some ideas:

BBQ Sauce

You can buy BBQ sauce in a store, or make it yourself. Here is a recipe for homemade BBQ sauce:

• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar and brown sugar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp garlic and onion powder
• 1 tsp chili powder or cayenne pepper and paprika

Blue Cheese Dressing

Blue cheese is a classic dipping sauce for chicken wings. You can make your own blue cheese sauce by mixing the following ingredients:

• 16 oz blue cheese
• 2 tsp hot red pepper sauce
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• (optional) 1 tbsp celery

Buffalo Sauce

Buffalo sauce is another classic sauce to serve with chicken wings. You can make your own by mixing:

• 1 bottle hot sauce
• 1 stick of melted butter
• A pinch of garlic powder, and cayenne for more heat as needed

Honey Buffalo Sauce

Honey buffalo sauce is a sweeter alternative to regular buffalo sauce.

Honey Mustard Sauce

Honey mustard sauce is a delicious combination of sweet and tangy. You can make your own by mixing:

• 2/3 cup Dijon mustard
• 3/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Ranch Dressing

Ranch dressing is a popular choice for dipping chicken wings. You can make your own ranch dipping sauce by mixing:

• 3/4 cup plain yoghurt
• 1 (1 oz) package of ranch dressing mix
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Garlic Parmesan Sauce

Garlic parmesan sauce is a creamy, flavourful dipping sauce. You can make your own by mixing:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp white vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Tips and tricks to get the crispiest, most delicious wings

There are a few tricks to getting the crispiest, most delicious wings when using an air fryer. Firstly, make sure you leave a little space between each wing in the air fryer so that the hot air can properly circulate. This will ensure that the breading gets fully crispy on all sides. You can also spritz the wings with oil halfway through cooking to help them crisp up and get rid of any white residue from the flour.

Another tip is to pre-cook the wings in a frying pan before placing them in the air fryer. This will help the breading stick to the chicken and create a crunchier outer coating. If you don't want to pre-cook the wings, you can add a little baking powder to the mixture as this helps to make the skin crispy.

Make sure to flip the wings halfway through cooking to ensure they cook evenly. You can also shake the air fryer basket halfway through to ensure an even distribution of heat. Finally, use a meat thermometer to check that the wings are fully cooked. You want the thermometer to read 165 degrees Fahrenheit when placed in the thickest part of the biggest wing.

The easy way to reheat chicken wings in the air fryer

Reheating chicken wings in the air fryer is a great way to enjoy leftovers that taste just like new! Here are the steps to do it:

Preheat the air fryer

Set your air fryer to 350-360°F (175-182°C). Preheating ensures that the air fryer is hot enough to crisp up the chicken wings quickly. Spray the basket lightly with cooking spray or line it with aluminium foil to prevent sticking.

Prepare the wings

You can add extra salt or pepper at this point, for fresh seasoning and taste. You can also lightly coat the wings with a small amount of cooking oil or melted butter using a brush or spray bottle. This will help seal in moisture and promote crispiness.

Arrange the chicken wings

Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the tray, leaving some space between each wing to allow for even air circulation. If you have too many wings to fit without overlapping, reheat in batches.

Reheat

Place the basket or tray with the chicken wings into the preheated air fryer and cook for 5-6 minutes. Shake or flip the wings halfway through to ensure even cooking and crispiness on all sides. Continue cooking for another 5-6 minutes, keeping an eye on them to prevent overcooking.

Check for doneness

Check the internal temperature of the wings using a meat thermometer. The temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) to kill harmful bacteria.

Tips

• If you are reheating sauced wings, be cautious as the sauce may burn due to the high heat of the air fryer. It is recommended to reheat the wings first and then add the sauce afterward.
• Reheating chicken wings more than once is not recommended, as it increases the risk of bacterial contamination and can affect the texture and taste of the wings.

Can you cook frozen wings in the air fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer! There are a few different approaches you can take, depending on the type of wings you're using and the results you're looking for. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to cook frozen wings in an air fryer:

Preparing the Wings:

Before cooking, it's important to check the type of wings you have. Frozen wings can be raw or pre-cooked, breaded or unbreaded, and sauced or unsauced. If your wings are stuck together, you may need to thaw them slightly (about 30 seconds in the microwave) to separate them.

Cooking the Wings:

Set your air fryer to the desired temperature and cooking time based on the type of wings you're preparing. Here are some general guidelines:

• For plain frozen wings, cook at 400°F for 20 minutes. There's no need to flip or move them, but ensure they are in a single layer.
• For reheating pre-cooked frozen wings, cook at 350°F for 12 minutes. Toss with sauce afterward if desired.
• For frozen breaded wings, cook at 400°F for 14 minutes. There's no need to shake or redistribute during cooking.
• For frozen sauced wings, cook at 400°F for 18 minutes.

Additional Tips:

• To ensure even cooking and crispiness, avoid overcrowding the air fryer. Cook the wings in batches if necessary.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the wings. They are fully cooked when they reach 165°F.
• If your wings are unsauced, toss them in your favorite sauce after cooking to avoid burning the sauce in the air fryer.
• Serve the wings with celery sticks, carrot sticks, or your favorite dipping sauce, such as blue cheese or ranch dressing.

Breaded Wings:

If you're specifically looking to make breaded wings, there are a few additional steps to follow. Breaded wings have a delicious, crispy coating that takes your wings to the next level. Here's how to make them:

Preparing the Breaded Wings:

Start with thawed chicken wings to ensure the flour mixture adheres properly. Pat the wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Combine flour with seasonings and spices of your choice in a shallow bowl. You can also add beaten egg to the mixture if desired. Toss the wings in the flour mixture until completely coated.

Cooking the Breaded Wings:

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the wings in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space around each one. You may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding. Spray the wings with olive oil and air fry for 10 minutes. Flip the wings and continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes, or until cooked through and crispy.

Additional Tips for Breaded Wings:

• Ensure even cooking by placing the wings in a single layer and flipping them halfway through the cooking time.
• For extra crispiness, spray the wings with an EVO oil sprayer halfway through cooking to remove any white residue from the flour.
• Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 165°F.

Frequently asked questions