Frying Chicken Wings: How Long Does It Take?

Chicken wings are a staple food in the US, and for good reason. They're crispy, tender, and full of flavour. But how long do they take to cook in a deep fryer? Well, it depends on how many wings you're cooking. The oil will take about 15 minutes to heat up, and you should fry the wings in batches of 6-8 for 8-12 minutes. So, if you're cooking a large batch, it could take a while! But the end result will be worth it – crispy, juicy, and perfectly golden brown.

Oil temperature

The ideal oil temperature for frying chicken wings is between 350°F and 375°F. The temperature of the oil will drop when the wings are added, so it's a good idea to start with the oil at 375°F. If the temperature drops too low, increase the heat. If it rises, reduce the heat. If the temperature keeps rising, take the pot off the heat and transfer it to a cool element for one minute.

It's important to ensure the oil is hot enough before submerging the chicken. If the oil isn't hot enough, the wings will absorb it and become greasy and unappetising. One way to test if the oil is hot enough is to submerge the end of a wooden spoon in it. If bubbles start to emerge around the edges of the spoon, the oil is ready. If not, give it a little more time and test again in five minutes.

Use an oil with a high smoke point that can handle the temperature. Vegetable, canola, peanut, or corn oil are all good options.

Cooking time

The cooking time for chicken wings in a deep fryer will depend on the number of wings being cooked, the temperature of the oil, and the size of the wings. It is important to ensure that the oil is hot enough before adding the wings, as this will affect the cooking time and the crispiness of the wings. The oil should be heated to between 325°F and 375°F. A wooden spoon can be used to test if the oil is hot enough – if bubbles start to emerge around the edges of the spoon when submerged, the oil is ready.

Once the oil is at the right temperature, the wings can be carefully added. It is best to cook the wings in batches of 6-8 pieces at a time to avoid overcrowding the pan and to ensure even cooking. The wings should be cooked for 8-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Larger pieces may take a few minutes longer.

While cooking, the wings should be flipped occasionally to ensure even browning. After removing the wings from the oil, they can be placed on a wire rack or paper towels to absorb any excess oil.

Before serving, the wings can be seasoned with salt and pepper or tossed in a sauce of your choice. It is important to note that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the accuracy of the deep fryer's temperature control and the size and number of wings being cooked.

Some recipes suggest chilling the wings twice before frying, which can help ensure extra crispy skin. Additionally, coating the wings in a flour mixture before frying can also enhance the crispiness.

Chicken preparation

Ingredients

You will need:

• Chicken wings
• Seasoning (e.g. blackening seasoning, seasoned salt, coarse salt, black pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder)
• Flour (all-purpose)
• Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)
• Sauce (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Wings

If your chicken wings are not already separated, you will need to cut them into drumettes and flaps. You can also buy "party wings" which are already separated. Rinse the chicken wings and thoroughly pat them dry.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

Place the chicken wings in a bowl and sprinkle your chosen seasoning over them. Toss the wings to ensure they are fully coated. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Prepare the Flour Coating

In a shallow bowl, combine the flour with your chosen seasonings. You can also add cornstarch and/or baking powder to the flour to increase crispiness. Whisk the ingredients until they are fully combined.

Step 4: Dredge the Chicken Wings

Dip the chicken wings into the flour mixture, ensuring they are fully coated. Shake off any excess flour and set the wings aside. You can also double dredge the wings by dipping them into the flour mixture a second time.

Step 5: Heat the Oil

Pour frying oil into a Dutch oven, large pot, or deep fryer to a depth that will fully submerge the chicken wings. Attach a candy thermometer to the pot, ensuring it is in the oil but not touching the pot. Heat the oil to between 350-375°F.

Step 6: Fry the Chicken Wings

Once the oil has reached the desired temperature, carefully lower the chicken wings into the oil using tongs. Fry the wings in small batches to avoid overcrowding and maintain a consistent temperature. Fry the wings for 8-12 minutes, turning them occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F.

Step 7: Serve

Remove the chicken wings from the oil using tongs and transfer them to a wire rack on a baking sheet or a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Sprinkle the wings with salt and pepper, or toss them in your chosen sauce. Serve immediately.

Cooking in batches

Cooking wings in a deep fryer is a great way to get that crispy exterior and tender meat that makes chicken wings so popular. However, when cooking large amounts, it's important to work in batches to ensure even cooking and maintain the oil temperature. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for cooking chicken wings in batches using a deep fryer:

Preparing the Chicken Wings:

Before you start frying, it's crucial to prepare your chicken wings properly. Start by cutting the wings into drumettes and flaps if they aren't already separated. You can find tutorials online for how to do this. Rinse the wings and thoroughly pat them dry with paper towels. Removing any excess moisture will help the seasoning stick to the skin and ensure a crispier exterior.

Seasoning the Chicken Wings:

There are various ways to season your chicken wings before frying. You can simply sprinkle them with seasoned salt or a combination of seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, seasoned salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. You can also create a flour mixture by combining all-purpose flour with your preferred seasonings. Toss or dredge the wings in the flour mixture, ensuring an even coating. Some recipes suggest double dredging the wings in the flour mixture for an extra crispy coating.

Heating the Oil:

For deep frying chicken wings, it's important to use an oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil. Heat the oil in your deep fryer to a temperature between 350°F and 375°F. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature accurately. The oil needs to be hot enough, or it will absorb into the wings, resulting in an unpleasant texture. Test the oil by dipping the end of a wooden spoon into it; if bubbles form around the edges, it's ready.

Frying in Batches:

Once your oil is at the right temperature, it's time to start frying in batches. Place a maximum of 6-8 wing pieces in the oil at once, depending on their size. Avoid overcrowding the fryer, as this will affect the cooking time and the crispiness of the wings. The oil temperature will drop when the wings are added, so adding too many at once will cool the oil down too much. Fry the wings for 8-12 minutes, turning them occasionally to ensure even cooking. The wings are done when they are golden brown, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Use tongs to carefully remove the wings from the oil, and place them on a wire rack over a baking sheet or a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.

Keeping Them Warm and Crispy:

If you're cooking a large batch of wings, it's essential to keep the cooked wings warm and crispy while you fry the rest. Set your oven to its lowest setting, or use a "warm" setting if available. Place a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet, and put the cooked wings on the rack. The rack allows air to circulate around the wings, keeping them crispy. You can also keep the wings warm in an oven at 200°F.

Deep frying chicken wings in batches ensures even cooking and helps maintain the oil temperature. By following these instructions and tips, you'll be able to serve delicious, crispy, and tender chicken wings that your family and friends will devour!

Serving suggestions

Sauces

The most popular sauce to serve with chicken wings is Buffalo sauce, but there are plenty of other options. You could try ranch or blue cheese, barbecue, teriyaki, or honey mustard. You could also make a simple seasoning of salt and pepper, or a combination of garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.

Sides

Chicken wings are often served as an appetiser or finger food, but they can also be served as a main course. If serving as a main, some side dishes could include:

• Cooling vegetables such as celery or carrots
• A salad
• French fries

Drinks

Chicken wings are often served at parties or sporting events, so drinks could include beer, cocktails, or soft drinks.

Dessert

Chicken wings can be quite rich and savoury, so a light and sweet dessert could be a good option. Some ideas include:

• Fruit salad
• Ice cream
• Cookies

Frequently asked questions