Air Fryer Wings: Can You Use Marinated Meat?

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy, juicy chicken wings without the need for deep frying or a long oven cook time. They are a healthier alternative to traditional fried wings as they require much less oil and produce similar results. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of using an air fryer to cook chicken wings and provide a step-by-step guide on how to make delicious marinated wings.

How long to marinate chicken wings before air frying?

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken wings, giving them a crispy texture without the need for deep frying. But how long should you marinate the wings before air frying?

Some recipes suggest that you can cook the wings immediately after coating them in oil and spices. However, most recipes recommend marinating the wings in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to develop. Leaving the wings to marinate for longer, up to 24 hours, will enhance the flavour even more. But don't leave them for too long—after 24 hours, the meat will start to break down.

Once you're ready to cook, take the wings out of the refrigerator and bring them to room temperature for about 15 minutes. Preheat your air fryer to between 360°F and 380°F. Place the wings inside, making sure they are not overlapping, and cook for 10 minutes. Then increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for another 6 to 12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

What temperature to cook marinated chicken wings in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook marinated chicken wings in an air fryer.

Temperature and Timing

Air fry your marinated chicken wings at 370°F to 400°F for 10 minutes on each side. Increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for another 6 to 8 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy. The total cooking time is between 20 to 24 minutes.

Tips for Cooking Marinated Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer

• Pat the chicken wings dry before marinating them to remove excess moisture and help them get crispy.
• Marinate the chicken wings for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the wings in batches if necessary, so that they are not touching in the basket.
• Increase the temperature during the last few minutes of cooking for crispier wings.

Ingredients and Seasoning

• Chicken wings: Use fresh or defrosted chicken wings, not frozen. Split them into flats and drumettes.
• Oil: Olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil.
• Vinegar: Red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, or white vinegar.
• Coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce: Coconut aminos is a gluten-free substitute for soy sauce.
• Seasonings: Dried oregano, basil, paprika, garlic powder, pepper, salt, and/or white pepper.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your air-fried marinated chicken wings with dipping sauces such as ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, hot sauce, or buffalo sauce. They also go well with fresh celery and carrot sticks, potato salad, or colslaw.

Can you use frozen marinated chicken wings in an air fryer?

Yes, you can use frozen marinated chicken wings in an air fryer, but it is not recommended. While it is possible to cook chicken wings from frozen in an air fryer, marinades do not stick well to frozen wings. This means that you will not get the same amount of flavour as you would if you used defrosted chicken.

If you do choose to use frozen chicken wings in the air fryer, add an extra 5-7 minutes to the cooking time.

How long to cook marinated chicken wings in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook marinated chicken wings in an air fryer. The cooking time will depend on the size of the wings and how crispy you like them. Here is a step-by-step guide:

How to Cook Marinated Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Marinade

First, prepare your marinade. A simple marinade might include olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add hot sauce for some extra kick. Other marinade ingredients could include oil, red wine vinegar, coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce, dried oregano or basil, garlic powder, and pepper.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken Wings

Place your chicken wings in a large bowl or plastic bag and pour the marinade over them, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Cover or seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.

Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer

When you're ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to between 370-400°F. The exact temperature will depend on your air fryer and how crispy you like your wings.

Step 4: Place Wings in the Air Fryer

Remove the wings from the marinade and place them in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping or stacked. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in batches.

Step 5: Cook the Wings

Cook the wings for 10 minutes, then flip them over and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your wings and how crispy you like them, so adjust the time accordingly.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once the wings are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!

Tips for Cooking Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer:

• Pat the chicken wings dry before marinating to remove any excess moisture and help them get crispy.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the wings in batches if needed, ensuring they are in a single layer with space between them for the air to circulate.
• Increase the temperature during the last few minutes of cooking to make the wings crispier.
• For even crisping, shake the basket or turn the wings 2-3 times during cooking.

Storing and Reheating:

• Store leftover marinated chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheat cooked wings in the air fryer at 360-380°F for 4-8 minutes.

Now you know how to cook marinated chicken wings in an air fryer. Enjoy your crispy, juicy, and tender wings!

Can you stack marinated chicken wings in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook marinated chicken wings in an air fryer. However, it is not advisable to stack them. Instead, place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping or touching. This allows for air to circulate freely around the wings, cooking them evenly and making them crispy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in batches.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 pounds of chicken wings
• Oil (olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil)
• Red wine vinegar (or balsamic or white vinegar)
• Coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce
• Dried oregano or basil
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper

Method:

• In a small bowl, mix together the marinade ingredients until well blended.
• Add the chicken wings to a large bowl or plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the wings, ensuring all pieces are coated. Cover or seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to 24 hours.
• When ready to cook, preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remove the wings from the marinade and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not stack or overlap the wings.
• Cook for 10 minutes, then flip the wings and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Serve the wings as is or toss them in your favourite sauce.

Note: It is important to not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in batches.

Frequently asked questions