Air-Fried Buffalo Wings: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Chicken wings are a popular snack, often served as a sharing platter at parties or as a tasty treat for game day. The traditional way to cook them is to deep-fry them, but this can be messy and unhealthy. Air fryers have become a popular alternative, as they can create crispy wings without the need for a vat of hot oil.

The process is simple: coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray, place the wings inside (in a single layer, if possible), and cook for around 20-30 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally. While the wings are cooking, make a buffalo sauce by combining melted butter with hot sauce (such as Frank's RedHot) in a bowl. When the wings are cooked, toss them in the sauce and serve immediately.

Seasoning the wings

Firstly, it is important to pat the chicken wings dry using paper towels. Removing excess moisture will help the wings become crispier. You can also rinse the chicken wings under cold water before patting them dry if you prefer. However, remember to disinfect your sink and countertops afterwards for food safety reasons.

Next, you can season the wings with a variety of spices and herbs. A simple option is to liberally season them with salt and pepper. You can also try other combinations such as smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and black pepper. Be cautious with the salt quantity, as the buffalo sauce you'll use later might already be quite salty.

If you want to enhance the crispiness of the wings even further, you can use a dry brine technique by tossing the wings with baking powder and salt. This method increases the pH level of the chicken skin, promoting better browning and the formation of micro-blisters, resulting in enhanced crispness.

After seasoning, let the wings marinate. You can leave them for at least 30 minutes or even overnight in the refrigerator. This step allows the flavours to penetrate the wings, making them tastier.

Finally, when it comes to placing the wings in the air fryer, make sure they are in a single layer with slight space between each wing. This arrangement ensures proper airflow and even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook the wings in batches.

Air-frying the wings

Preparing the Wings:

• Start by patting the wings dry with paper towels. This step is important as it helps the wings get crispy.
• If you're using whole wings, separate them into drumettes and flats. You can do this by finding the joint that connects the two and slicing through it firmly with a knife.
• Discard the wing tips or save them for making stock.

Seasoning the Wings:

• Transfer the wings to a large mixing bowl.
• Season the wings with your desired spices. You can use a variety of seasonings like smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, black pepper, and salt.
• For extra crispiness, you can also toss the wings with a small amount of baking powder in addition to the seasonings.
• Marinate the wings in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or even overnight for more intense flavour.
• Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F (190-200°C).
• Coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
• Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each wing to ensure proper airflow. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in batches.
• Cook the wings for 10-12 minutes, then flip them over and air fry for another 10-12 minutes.
• Increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook for an additional 5-15 minutes to achieve the desired crispness.
• Keep an eye on the wings and shake the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking and browning.
• The total cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness and the size of your wings, but it typically ranges from 25-40 minutes.

Making the Buffalo Sauce:

• While the wings are cooking, prepare the buffalo sauce by whisking together melted butter and hot sauce in a separate bowl.
• You can adjust the ratio of butter to hot sauce to suit your taste preferences.
• For a classic Buffalo sauce, use Frank's RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce or another Louisiana-style hot sauce.

Tossing the Wings:

• Once the wings are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and place them in a large mixing bowl.
• Pour the prepared buffalo sauce over the wings and toss until they are evenly coated.
• Wear an apron during this step as the sauce may splatter.
• If needed, you can toss the wings in batches to make it easier.

Serving the Wings:

• Serve the wings immediately while they're still hot and crispy.
• Buffalo wings are typically served with blue cheese or ranch dressing, celery sticks, and carrot sticks on the side.
• For an adult beverage pairing, try a light beer like a pilsner or a slightly sweet wine like Riesling or Gewurztraminer to balance the heat of the wings.

Making the sauce

To make the sauce, simply whisk together the melted butter and hot sauce in a large bowl until you have an emulsified sauce. You can also add in some blue cheese dressing if you like. This sauce will give your wings that classic Buffalo flavour that everyone craves.

If you want to get creative, you can experiment with different sauces and spices. For example, you could make a lemon pepper sauce by combining olive oil, oregano, lemon zest, garlic, salt, and pepper. Or, for an Asian-inspired twist, try a hoisin glaze with toasted sesame seeds, ginger, garlic, and sriracha. The possibilities are endless!

Tossing the wings

If you're making a classic Buffalo sauce, you'll want to use Frank's RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce and butter. You can also add in a dash of Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco for a little extra kick. Combine the sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk until you have a nice, emulsified sauce.

Once your wings are cooked, transfer them to the bowl with the sauce and toss until they're evenly coated. It's best to do this right away while the wings are still hot so that the sauce sticks nicely.

And that's it! You're now ready to dig into some delicious, crispy, juicy Buffalo wings. Don't forget to serve them with a side of blue cheese or ranch dressing and some celery and carrot sticks on the side. Enjoy!

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve air fryer buffalo wings. Here are some ideas:

• With a side of crudité veggies: If you're serving these wings as a party snack or appetiser, consider pairing them with some crudité veggies such as carrot and celery sticks. This adds a refreshing and healthy element to the dish, and your guests can use the veggies to dip into any extra blue cheese sauce!
• With a side of fries: For a heartier meal, serve your buffalo wings with a portion of French fries. You can even cook these in your air fryer too, making use of the appliance while it's out!
• With a homemade Caesar salad: If you're looking for something a little lighter to accompany your wings, a homemade Caesar salad is a great option. This classic salad has a range of textures and flavours that will complement the wings nicely.
• With blue cheese sauce: Blue cheese sauce is a classic pairing with buffalo wings. You can make your own by combining blue cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Or, if you're short on time, simply buy a good-quality blue cheese dip from the store.
• With ranch dressing: If blue cheese isn't your thing, ranch dressing is another popular choice for dipping buffalo wings. Again, you can make your own or buy a ready-made version.
• With a glass of pilsner: When it comes to drink pairings, a light beer like a pilsner is a great choice to accompany the spicy, savoury flavours of the buffalo wings. Alternatively, a wine with a hint of sweetness, such as a Riesling or Gewurztraminer, will help to tame the heat of the wings.

Frequently asked questions