Air Fryer Barbecue Wings: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Making barbecue wings in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get crispy, juicy, and tender chicken wings. This method reduces cooking time and mess, and ensures a perfectly crispy wing every time.

The secret to getting that extra crunch is to pat the wings dry and add a little baking powder to the seasoning. You can also make your own barbecue sauce, which is healthier and allows you to customise the flavours to your preference.

Choosing your ingredients

Choosing the right ingredients is essential to making mouth-watering barbecue wings in an air fryer. Here's a detailed guide to help you select the best ingredients for this delicious treat.

Chicken Wings:

Start by choosing fresh and juicy chicken wings as they are the star of this recipe. You'll need around 1.5 to 2 pounds of chicken wings, which can be cut into wings and drumettes. If you're not comfortable cutting them yourself, you can buy them pre-cut from your local butcher or grocery store.

Oil:

Selecting the right oil is crucial for achieving that crispy texture. Go for an oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, avocado, or grapeseed oil. You only need a small amount, about 1-2 tablespoons, to coat the wings and promote that perfect crispness.

Seasonings:

Seasonings are what give your barbecue wings their distinctive flavour. While you can adjust the seasonings to your taste, here's a list of commonly used spices:

• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Cayenne pepper
• Dried thyme
• Ground mustard
• Herbs De Provence or Italian seasoning

Baking Powder:

Baking powder is the secret ingredient that will take your wings to the next level. It helps dry out the skin of the chicken wings, resulting in an extra crispy coating. Make sure not to confuse it with baking soda, as they serve different purposes.

Barbecue Sauce:

You can choose your favourite barbecue sauce, whether it's a store-bought one or a homemade creation. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even experiment with different sauces like hoisin sauce, spicy gochujang, sweet and sour, or teriyaki. The possibilities are endless!

Remember, the key to delicious barbecue wings is in the ingredients and their proportions. Always ensure you have the right measurements and adjust the seasonings to suit your taste preferences. Now you're ready to start preparing those mouth-watering barbecue wings in your air fryer!

Preparing your chicken

Clean and Separate the Chicken Wings

First, you'll want to clean your chicken wings by rinsing them under cold water. Then, separate the wings into drumettes and flats. You can buy them pre-separated, or you can cut them yourself. This step is important as it ensures even cooking and allows the seasonings to coat the wings effectively.

Dry the Chicken Wings

Use paper towels to pat the chicken wings dry. This step is crucial, as dry wings will absorb the seasonings better and help achieve that desired crispy texture. Make sure to get them as dry as possible!

Season the Chicken Wings

In a large bowl, combine your favourite seasonings. You can use a simple blend of salt and pepper, or get creative with spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, and more. Experiment with different blends to find your perfect flavour profile. Once your seasoning mix is ready, add the chicken wings to the bowl and toss them until they are evenly coated. Make sure each wing is thoroughly covered in the delicious blend of spices.

Marinate (Optional)

While this step is optional, marinating your chicken wings can take their flavour to the next level. Place the seasoned wings in a marinating bag or back into the large bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least an hour or even overnight. This extra step will allow the flavours to really penetrate the chicken, resulting in juicy and flavourful wings.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to around 380-400°F (190-200°C). This temperature range is ideal for cooking chicken wings, ensuring they cook through while achieving that crispy exterior.

Your chicken wings are now ready to be cooked! Place them into the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in batches. Follow the cooking instructions in your chosen recipe, and you'll have perfectly cooked barbecue wings in no time!

Seasoning your wings

Step 1: Dry the Wings

Before you begin seasoning, it's important to pat your chicken wings dry with a paper towel. Removing any moisture from the surface of the wings will help the seasoning stick better and also promote a crispier texture when cooked. This simple step can make a big difference in the final result, so don't skip it!

Step 2: Prepare the Seasoning Blend

The fun part about making barbecue wings is that you can customise the seasoning blend to your taste preferences. However, there are some essential spices that are commonly used to create that signature barbecue flavour. Here's a list of spices you can choose from to create your own blend:

• Smoked paprika
• Herbs de Provence (or Italian seasoning)
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Dried thyme
• Cayenne pepper
• Ground mustard
• Salt
• Pepper

Feel free to mix and match these spices according to your taste preferences. You can also add a little oil to the blend to help it stick to the wings.

Step 3: Coat the Wings

Once you've created your custom seasoning blend, it's time to coat the wings generously. Place your wings in a large bowl and sprinkle the seasoning mixture over them. Use your hands or tongs to toss the wings until they are evenly coated with the seasoning. Make sure every inch of the wings is covered for maximum flavour!

Step 4: Let the Wings Marinate (Optional)

While this step is optional, letting the wings marinate in the seasoning blend for a while can enhance the flavour. Place the seasoned wings in the refrigerator and let them sit for at least an hour or even overnight. This extra step will allow the spices to really penetrate the meat, resulting in juicy, flavourful wings.

Step 5: Time to Fry!

After your wings have been generously seasoned (and marinated, if you chose to do so), it's time to pop them into the air fryer. Follow the cooking instructions for your air fryer, making sure to flip the wings at least once during the cooking process to ensure even cooking and crispiness on both sides.

And there you have it! Your perfectly seasoned, crispy, and juicy barbecue air fryer wings are ready to be devoured. Don't forget to serve them with your favourite dipping sauces and sides!

Cooking your wings

First, pat your wings dry with a paper towel. This is an important step as it helps the wings to crisp up in the air fryer. Next, add your wings to a large bowl or marinating bag. Add your chosen seasoning and mix well so that the wings are evenly coated. If you're using baking powder, this is the time to add it. The powder will help the wings to crisp up and is a great trick for extra crunchy wings.

Now you're ready to cook your wings. Preheat your air fryer to between 375ºF and 400ºF. Place your wings inside the fryer in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in batches. Spray the wings with a little oil and cook for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, flip the wings and cook for a further 5-10 minutes, or until the wings are golden brown and crispy. You can check if the wings are cooked by inserting a meat thermometer; the internal temperature should be 165ºF when they are fully cooked.

Once the wings are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and brush them with your chosen barbecue sauce. Return the wings to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2-5 minutes, or until the sauce is caramelized. And that's it! Your barbecue wings are ready to serve.

Adding sauce to your wings

Choosing the Right Sauce

Before you start saucing your wings, it's important to select the perfect barbecue sauce. You can opt for a store-bought sauce, with options ranging from spicy to sweet, smoky, or salty. However, if you're feeling adventurous, you can make your own homemade barbecue sauce. This allows you to customise the flavour to your taste and control the ingredients for a healthier option.

Preparing the Sauce

Whether you're using a store-bought or homemade sauce, it's a good idea to prepare the sauce while the wings are cooking. This ensures that the sauce is ready to go when the wings are done and saves you time. If you're making a homemade sauce, it usually takes less than 15 minutes to prepare. You can also make the sauce a day ahead to let the flavours develop even more.

Coating the Wings

Once your wings are cooked and nice and crispy, it's time to add the sauce. Place the cooked wings in a clean bowl and pour your desired amount of barbecue sauce over them. Then, use tongs or a large spoon to gently toss and coat the wings evenly with the sauce. Make sure to get every nook and cranny for maximum flavour!

Air Frying the Sauced Wings

After your wings are nicely coated, it's time to put them back into the air fryer. This step is crucial to sealing in the flavour and giving the sauce that irresistible caramelisation. Place the sauced wings back into the air fryer and heat them for an additional 2-5 minutes at a temperature between 350°F to 400°F. Keep a close eye on them to ensure the sauce doesn't burn.

Serving the Wings

Finally, it's time to serve your delicious barbecue wings! You can serve them as-is, or if you prefer extra saucy wings, pour a little extra barbecue sauce on top. These wings are perfect as an appetiser for a party or as a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Don't forget to provide some napkins because things might get a little messy!

Frequently asked questions