Air Fryer Boneless Wings: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Air fryers are a great way to make healthier versions of your favourite fried foods. They work by circulating hot air around your food, which cooks it with little to no oil. This means you can make delicious chicken wings with a crispy texture and a juicy centre without needing to deep-fry them.

This recipe will show you how to make tasty boneless wings in your air fryer, with a simple flour and egg breading and a classic buffalo sauce.

How to cut chicken into bite-sized pieces

To make air fryer boneless wings, you'll need to cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Before You Start Cutting:

• It's important to have the right equipment. Make sure you have a sturdy cutting board and a sharp knife.
• Wipe the chicken breast with a paper towel to dry the surface, making it less slippery and easier to handle.
• Always remember to maintain good hygiene practices. Wash your hands before and after handling raw chicken, and clean your knife and cutting board immediately after cutting the chicken.

Cutting the Chicken:

• Place the chicken breast on the cutting board.
• Using your hand, hold the top of the breast.
• With a sharp chef's knife, start cutting the breast into strips. You can determine the width of the strips based on your desired size and the recipe you're following. For example, you might want larger strips for chicken fingers or narrower strips for fajitas.
• Once you have your strips, cut them into cubes. You can make the cubes as big or small as you need.
• If you're not comfortable cutting a large chicken breast in half, you can try this alternative method: cut the breast into slices, then turn the slices cut-side down on the cutting board. Cut each slice in half to make them thinner, and then cube the chicken.
• If you have any scraps or pieces you don't want to use, save them and freeze them to make homemade chicken stock later.

Some Additional Tips:

• If you're cutting up multiple chicken breasts, it can be helpful to partially freeze them first. This makes them firmer and easier to cut.
• Make sure your knife is sharp. Raw chicken should be easy to cut.
• You can hold the chicken with your non-dominant hand while cutting, instead of using a fork. Wash your hands before and after handling raw chicken.
• If you have cuts on your fingers or hands, consider wearing disposable gloves for added protection.

How to make the flour mixture

The flour mixture is an important component of the breading process for air fryer boneless wings, and it's easy to make. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to prepare it:

• Gather Your Ingredients: You'll need all-purpose flour, which can be regular or gluten-free, depending on your preference. Additionally, you'll want to gather your choice of seasonings. Some common options include cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. You can also add a little cornstarch to the flour if you want to experiment with the texture, but it's not necessary.
• Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a shallow bowl, combine the flour and your chosen seasonings. Mix them together thoroughly. You can use a whisk or a fork to ensure everything is well combined. This step ensures that your flour mixture is evenly seasoned.
• Add Moisture (Optional): Some recipes suggest adding a little buttermilk or regular milk to the flour mixture to create a sticky coating. This step is optional but can help the flour mixture adhere better to the chicken. If you decide to add milk, pour a small amount into the flour mixture and mix until you achieve a crumbly texture.
• Prepare for Dredging: Once your flour mixture is ready, you'll use it to coat the chicken pieces. Set up a station with the flour mixture in one bowl and the chicken pieces in another bowl. You can also use a large ziplock bag for the flour mixture. Have a separate plate or bowl ready to hold the coated chicken pieces.
• Dredge the Chicken: Take each chicken piece and fully coat it in the flour mixture. Make sure all sides of the chicken are covered. Gently shake off any excess flour before placing the coated chicken piece on the prepared plate or bowl. Repeat this step until all your chicken pieces are coated.

Your flour mixture is now ready to be used for breading your air fryer boneless wings! Remember to work in batches if you have a lot of chicken pieces, and always ensure that your work area and hands are dry to achieve the best results.

How to cook in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep-frying your food. They use hot air circulated at high speed to cook your food, resulting in a similar taste and texture to deep-fried food but with less oil and fewer calories.

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by cutting your chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, around 1-2 inches in size. You can trim off any fat or skin at this stage.

Step 2: Prepare the Coating

There are a few different ways to coat your chicken pieces. Here are some options:

• Whisk eggs in a bowl and completely coat the chicken strips in the egg mixture.
• Combine buttermilk and egg in a bowl and whisk to make a sticky coating for the chicken.
• Whisk eggs in a bowl and coat the chicken pieces, then dip them in seasoned flour.
• For an extra crispy texture, dip the chicken in whisked eggs, then seasoned flour, and finally breadcrumbs.

Step 3: Prepare the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 350-380°F. Spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken

Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space around each piece. Spray the chicken with olive oil or avocado oil.

Cook for 5 minutes, then flip the chicken and spray with more oil. Cook for another 5-10 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken pieces. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 5: Prepare the Sauce

While the chicken is cooking, you can prepare your sauce. A simple buffalo sauce can be made by melting butter and combining it with hot sauce. You can adjust the proportions to your taste and add more butter for a milder sauce or more hot sauce for extra spice.

Step 6: Combine Chicken and Sauce

Once the chicken is cooked, place it in a bowl and toss with the sauce. It is best to do this while the chicken is still hot, so the sauce sticks to the chicken and creates a crispy coating.

Step 7: Serve

Air fryer boneless wings are best served fresh and hot. You can serve them with a side of blue cheese or ranch dressing, as well as carrot and celery sticks to balance out the spice.

Tips:

• If you are making a large batch, cook the chicken in batches to ensure even cooking.
• Pat the chicken dry before placing it in the air fryer to help achieve a crispy texture.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Space around each piece of chicken is important to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.
• You can cook frozen chicken in an air fryer, but it will take longer, around 20-25 minutes.
• You can also reheat cooked chicken in the air fryer. Preheat to 350°F and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until warmed through.
• If you want to add extra spice, try a spicy sriracha mayo dip with your wings.

Enjoy your air fryer boneless wings!

How to make buffalo wing sauce

Making your own buffalo wing sauce is easy and will taste much better than store-bought bottles. Here is a simple recipe to make your own sauce at home.

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 6 tablespoons of Frank's hot sauce (or another cayenne-based hot sauce)
• 1/2 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper (or more to taste)
• 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder

Optional ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of honey

Method:

• Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and cayenne pepper.
• Whisk to combine.
• Taste the sauce and add more cayenne pepper if you prefer it spicier.
• Use the sauce while it is still warm.

Storage:

Store your buffalo sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 10 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months. When reheating, do so gently over low heat, as butter-based sauces can easily explode in the microwave.

How to store and reheat

You can store your leftover boneless wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four or five days. It is best to leave them un-sauced if you’re not planning to eat them right away.

To reheat, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (177°C) and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). You can also reheat in the microwave for 30-second intervals, flipping the wings each time, until they are heated through.

If you want to freeze your leftovers, place them on a tray lined with parchment paper and put them in the freezer. Once they are frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag. They will keep for up to three months.

Frequently asked questions