Tiffany Haney
Buffalo chicken wings are a classic game-day snack, but they can be unhealthy due to the deep frying. However, an air fryer can be used to make chicken wings that are just as crispy and delicious as their deep-fried counterparts, with less oil and fewer calories. In this article, we will teach you how to make juicy and crispy air-fried buffalo chicken wings and provide tips for getting the perfect wings every time.
How to cook buffalo chicken wings in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Seasoning | Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, black pepper, salt, and baking powder |
| Marinade | Frank's RedHot Sauce, butter, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, hot sauce, olive oil, vinegar, cayenne pepper, and Chinese rice wine |
| Cooking time | 22-35 minutes, depending on the crispiness desired |
| Cooking temperature | 380-400°F (200-205°C) |
| Cooking method | Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, flipping halfway through |
| Serving suggestions | Blue cheese, celery sticks, carrot sticks, ranch dressing, French fries, or a homemade Caesar salad |
| Storage | Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or freeze for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Seasoning and marinating the chicken wings
Firstly, if desired, rinse your chicken wings under cold water. This step is optional but can help to remove any excess blood or impurities from the surface of the wings. After rinsing, use paper towels to pat the chicken wings dry. This step is important as it helps the seasoning stick to the wings and promotes even browning during cooking.
Next, transfer the chicken wings to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle oil over the wings or use cooking spray to lightly coat them. You can use olive oil or any other cooking oil of your choice. Massage the oil into the chicken until each piece is evenly coated. This step helps the seasoning adhere to the wings and adds moisture to the meat, ensuring juicy and tender results.
Now it's time to add the seasonings. For classic buffalo chicken wings, a simple yet effective combination of spices includes smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and black pepper. You can also add salt to taste, but keep in mind that some sauces, like Frank's RedHot, are already quite salty. So, you may want to season with salt sparingly or omit it altogether.
Give the wings a good toss in the mixing bowl to ensure they are evenly coated with the oil and seasonings. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or aluminium foil and let the wings marinate in the refrigerator. The marination time can vary depending on your preference and schedule. For a quick option, you can marinate the wings for at least 30 minutes. However, for more intense flavour penetration, you can leave them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
During the marination process, the seasonings will work their magic, infusing the chicken with flavour and helping to break down the meat's fibres, resulting in tender and juicy wings. The longer you leave the wings to marinate, the more pronounced the flavours will be. So, if you have the time, it's worth marinating them for a more extended period.
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Air-frying the chicken wings
Air-frying chicken wings is a quick and easy way to make delicious, crispy wings. The cooking time will depend on how crispy you like your wings and how many you are cooking, but the whole process should take no longer than around 30 minutes.
First, if desired, rinse your chicken wings under cold water. Pat them dry with paper towels, then transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Season the wings with your chosen spices and sauces. For classic buffalo wings, season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and black pepper. For extra crispy wings, you can also toss the wings in baking powder and salt before cooking.
Next, coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil spray to prevent sticking. Place the wings into the basket in a single layer, leaving a slight space between each wing to ensure even cooking.
Now you're ready to air-fry! For crispy wings, air fry in batches at 400°F (200°C) for 22-25 minutes. If you like your wings less crispy, try 20-22 minutes. Flip the wings halfway through the cooking time.
Once the wings are cooked, transfer them to a large bowl and pour over your sauce of choice. For classic buffalo sauce, mix butter with hot sauce, such as Frank's RedHot, and toss the wings until they are evenly coated. Serve immediately with dipping sauces such as blue cheese or ranch dressing and celery and carrot sticks on the side.
You can also make a larger batch of wings and freeze any leftovers. Place the cooked wings on a baking sheet in the freezer, then once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag. They will keep for up to 3 months.
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Making the buffalo sauce
For a more authentic buffalo sauce, use Frank's RedHot Sauce, a classic choice for buffalo wings. You can also get creative and experiment with different sauces and dips. Some popular options include a tangy sauce for Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower, a garlic parmesan sauce, or a lemon pepper seasoning. If you're feeling adventurous, you can try unique flavours like tamarind-ginger glaze, hoisin glaze, or strawberry-chipotle wing sauce.
Once your wings are cooked, toss them in the large bowl with the sauce until they are thoroughly coated. You can use tongs to make this process easier and less messy. Serve the wings immediately with your choice of dipping sauce and sides, such as blue cheese, celery sticks, carrot sticks, or ranch dressing.
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Combining the chicken wings and sauce
Once your chicken wings are cooked, remove them from the air fryer basket and place them into a large mixing bowl. You can then add your sauce. It is recommended to toss the wings in the sauce to ensure they are evenly coated. You can use tongs to do this.
There are many different sauce options for your chicken wings. A classic buffalo sauce can be made by combining butter, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. You can also add vinegar, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper to taste. For a more authentic buffalo sauce, use Frank's RedHot Sauce. If you want to try something other than buffalo sauce, you could try a homemade BBQ sauce, lemon pepper seasoning, or a dry rub mixture such as Cajun or Italian seasoning.
You can also serve your chicken wings with a side of blue cheese or gorgonzola and celery or carrot sticks. For an extra crispy wing, toss the wings with baking powder and salt before cooking.
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Storing and reheating the chicken wings
Storing your chicken wings
If you have leftover chicken wings, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. Alternatively, you can freeze leftover wings by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once they are frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag and they will keep for up to 3 months.
Reheating your chicken wings
The best way to reheat chicken wings and keep them crispy is by using an air fryer. This is more efficient than using an oven and a better alternative to a microwave.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F-360°F (175°C-182°C).
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with olive oil.
- Season the wings with salt and pepper, if desired.
- Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
- Reheat for 5-10 minutes, shaking or flipping the wings halfway through.
- Check the internal temperature of the wings with a meat thermometer. The temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are safe to eat.
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Frequently asked questions
The best temperature to cook buffalo chicken wings in an air fryer is between 380°F and 400°F.
It takes between 22 and 35 minutes to cook buffalo chicken wings in an air fryer.
First, season the wings with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and black pepper. Then, marinate them for at least 30 minutes. Next, place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook them for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Finally, toss the cooked wings in a bowl with melted butter and hot sauce until they are thoroughly coated.
To make the buffalo sauce, simply mix melted butter with hot sauce. Some popular hot sauce options include Frank's RedHot Sauce, Tabasco, and Worcestershire sauce.
