Air Fryer Wings: Cornstarch For Crispness?

Cornstarch is a key ingredient in making super crispy chicken wings in an air fryer. It coats the wings easily, absorbs excess moisture, and creates a nice crust. To make crispy chicken wings, dry the wings with paper towels, then toss them in cornstarch and seasonings. Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 390°F for 7 minutes. Flip the wings and cook for an additional 5 to 7 minutes until crisp and golden brown.

Cornstarch is the secret ingredient to crispy wings

If you're looking for a way to make your chicken wings extra crispy, cornstarch is the secret ingredient you've been searching for. Here's everything you need to know about using cornstarch to get that perfect crispy texture in your air fryer.

Cornstarch is the key to achieving super crispy chicken wings without deep frying. It absorbs any excess moisture from the chicken, creating a nice, crispy crust. This results in wings that are not only crispy but also perfectly seasoned. The cornstarch coating ensures that the seasonings adhere well to the wings, enhancing the flavour and texture.

Preparing the Wings

Before coating your chicken wings with cornstarch, it's essential to dry them thoroughly with paper towels. Removing excess moisture is crucial for achieving the desired crispiness. Once the wings are dry, toss them in a mixture of cornstarch and your favourite seasonings. Make sure each wing is well coated. You can also add a bit of baking powder to the mixture for even crispier results.

Cooking the Wings

When cooking the wings in your air fryer, ensure they are placed in a single layer with some space between them. This allows for optimal airflow, which is crucial for crispiness. Cook the wings at a temperature between 375°F and 400°F for about 20-30 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Saucing the Wings

You can enjoy your crispy cornstarch wings as-is, or you can toss them in your favourite sauce. Classic options include buffalo sauce, barbecue sauce, or ranch. If you prefer, you can also sauce your wings before air frying. This method creates a crispy crust and locks in moisture, resulting in juicy wings. However, keep in mind that saucing before cooking may not add much flavour.

Customisation

Feel free to experiment with different seasonings and sauces to make the wings your own. You can spice things up with cayenne pepper or make them kid-friendly by replacing paprika with lemon pepper. For a fancier option, brush the cooked wings with butter, toss them in freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and sprinkle with parsley.

So, the next time you're craving crispy chicken wings, remember that cornstarch is the secret ingredient. Impress your family and friends with delicious, crispy wings made right in your air fryer!

How to make air fryer wings

Ingredients:

• Chicken wings (drumettes and flats)
• Oil (vegetable, olive, or any type of your choice)
• Corn starch
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. cayenne pepper, lemon pepper, parsley, etc.)

Method:

• Prep the chicken wings by separating them into drums and flats. Ensure they are defrosted and pat them dry completely. Removing excess moisture is important for achieving crispiness.
• Place the wings into a bowl and add oil, tossing to coat.
• Add your choice of seasonings and toss to completely coat the wings. You can use a basic blend of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, or experiment with other seasonings like cayenne pepper, lemon pepper, or parsley.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for a few minutes.
• Place the wings into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch. Overcrowding the basket will affect crispiness.
• Cook the wings for 10 minutes at 400°F.
• Open the air fryer, carefully flip over the wings, and cook for an additional 8 minutes at 400°F.
• Remove the wings and serve with your favorite dips or side dishes.

Tips:

• For extra crispiness, toss the wings with corn starch after coating them with oil and seasonings. Corn starch absorbs excess moisture and creates a nice crust.
• Always dry off any excess moisture on the uncooked wings using paper towels.
• If cooking frozen wings, increase the cooking time by a few minutes and flip the wings halfway through.
• For a lower-fat option, omit the oil and simply toss the wings with the seasonings.
• For saucy wings, toss the cooked wings with your favorite sauce, such as buffalo sauce, barbecue sauce, or honey garlic sauce.

Air fryer wings vs deep-fried wings

Preparation

The goal when preparing chicken wings is to achieve maximum crispiness without any dryness. One way to do this is to salt the wings in advance and leave them in the fridge on a cutting board wrapped in wax paper. The salt draws moisture out of the chicken and dries out the skin, making it primed for crispness.

Deep Frying

Deep frying involves submerging chicken wings in a large amount of hot oil. While this method produces very crispy wings, it is incredibly messy and leaves behind a lot of oil to clean up. It can also be dangerous, as there is a risk of burning yourself with hot oil.

Air Frying

Air frying is a healthier alternative to deep frying as it uses a fraction of the oil. Air fryers work by creating a "tornado" of hot air that helps remove excess fat from the food. They are also much easier to clean and don't create a strong cooking smell. However, air fryers tend to have smaller baskets, which means you can cook fewer wings at a time.

Taste and Texture

Deep-fried wings have a slight edge when it comes to crispiness, but air-fried wings are not far behind. In a blind taste test, it was difficult to tell the difference between air-fried and deep-fried wings, and both had very crispy skins. The deep-fried wings had a bit more moisture, but there was also an aftertaste from the oil.

Convenience

Air frying is much more convenient than deep frying. There is no preheating required, and the non-stick baskets make cleanup a breeze. Air frying is also safer, as there is no risk of burning yourself with hot oil.

Overall Winner

While deep-fried wings may taste slightly better, the advantages of air frying make it a more attractive option. Air-fried wings are healthier, easier to prepare, and create less mess. So, if you're looking for a convenient and tasty way to enjoy chicken wings, the air fryer is the way to go.

How to make crispy wings without cornstarch

While cornstarch is a popular ingredient for achieving crispy chicken wings, there are several other methods to achieve the same result. Here are some tips and tricks to make crispy wings without using cornstarch:

Baking Powder

Baking powder is a secret ingredient that can make your chicken wings extra crispy. It helps to dry out the skin and create a nice crust. Simply pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel and then coat them with baking powder. You can also add other seasonings of your choice to the baking powder.

Air Fryer

Using an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep frying, and it can still give you crispy chicken wings. Preheat your air fryer to around 375-400°F. Toss your chicken wings with salt and pepper, and a bit of baking powder. Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd them. Cook for about 20-30 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are crispy and golden.

Oven-Baked

You can also achieve crispy wings by baking them in the oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Prepare a baking sheet with a foil or parchment-lined oven-safe wire rack, lightly greased with non-stick spray or oil. Cut your chicken wings at the joints to separate them into flats and drumettes. Combine cornstarch and salt in a large bowl (if you don't have cornstarch, you can use baking powder instead). Pat the chicken wings dry, then toss them in the cornstarch mixture to coat evenly. Arrange the wings in a single layer on the prepared rack and bake for about 30 minutes.

Paper Towels

Always use paper towels to dry off any excess moisture on the uncooked wings before seasoning and cooking them. This will help ensure that your wings are crispy and not soggy.

Sauce

While not directly contributing to crispiness, the right sauce can enhance the overall crispiness of your chicken wings. A honey buffalo sauce, for example, can be a delicious addition to your crispy wings. Simply combine butter and hot sauce in a pan over low heat, stirring until the butter is melted. Toss your cooked wings in this sauce and serve immediately.

Don't Overcrowd

Whether you're using an air fryer or an oven, make sure not to overcrowd the wings. Arranging them in a single layer with some space in between will allow for better airflow and more even cooking, resulting in crispier wings.

By following these tips, you can achieve crispy chicken wings without using cornstarch. Enjoy experimenting with different methods and sauces to find your perfect crispy wing recipe!

Tips for making extra-crispy wings

Dry the wings

Before tossing your wings with cornstarch and seasonings, be sure to dry them thoroughly with paper towels. Removing excess moisture will help ensure your wings turn out crispy, not soggy.

Use cornstarch

Cornstarch is the secret ingredient to achieving super crispy wings without deep frying. It coats the wings easily, absorbs any excess moisture, and helps create a nice, crispy crust.

Season generously

Don't skimp on the seasonings! In addition to salt and pepper, try adding garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper for extra flavour. You can also toss your wings with a bit of baking powder, which some cooks say makes them even crispier.

Don't overcrowd the air fryer

When placing your wings in the air fryer basket, be sure to leave space between each wing for optimal airflow. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in batches.

Flip halfway through

For even cooking and crispiness, flip your wings with tongs halfway through the cooking process.

Sauce at the end

If you want crispy wings, it's best to add your sauce at the end rather than tossing the wings in sauce before cooking. This will help prevent your wings from becoming soggy.

Frequently asked questions