Air Fryer Garlic Wings: Crispy, Juicy Perfection

Air fryers are a convenient way to prepare boneless garlic wings, yielding a dish that is both quick and evenly cooked. The cooking process is simple and involves preparing the wings, creating a mixture of dry ingredients, coating the wings, and then cooking them in the air fryer.

The ingredients required include boneless and skinless chicken breasts, flour, eggs, milk, ground pepper, paprika, salt, garlic powder, and butter. The chicken breasts are cut into bite-sized pieces, and the dry ingredients are mixed in separate bowls to create a wet dip and a flour mixture. The chicken pieces are then dipped into the wet mixture and coated with the flour mixture.

The air fryer is preheated to a temperature of around 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit, and the coated chicken pieces are placed inside in a single layer to ensure proper air circulation. The wings are cooked for approximately 15 minutes, flipped halfway through, and may be sprayed with cooking oil for extra crispiness.

Once cooked, the wings can be dipped into a sauce of your choice, such as BBQ honey sauce, buffalo sauce, or garlic butter. The cooking process is straightforward and results in a delicious and crispy dish that is perfect for game day or a family dinner.

Choosing the right chicken

When it comes to selecting the perfect chicken for your boneless garlic wings, there are a few key factors to keep in mind. Here are some tips to help you choose the best chicken for your air fryer creation:

Fresh or Frozen Chicken?

While it is possible to cook frozen chicken in the air fryer, it is always preferable to use fresh, thawed chicken. This is because fresh chicken will yield better results in terms of texture and flavour. If you do opt for frozen chicken, ensure it is fully thawed before cooking. Additionally, you won't be able to brine frozen chicken, which can make a big difference in terms of moisture and flavour.

Brining the Chicken

Brining is a crucial step in ensuring your chicken is juicy and flavourful. Brining involves submerging the chicken in a saltwater solution, or simply sprinkling it with salt and letting it rest for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This process helps the chicken absorb extra liquid and salt, resulting in meat that is seasoned throughout and less likely to dry out during cooking.

Selecting the Right Cut

For boneless garlic wings, you'll want to choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins. These cuts are ideal for creating bite-sized pieces that will cook evenly and quickly in the air fryer. If you're short on time, you can also use pre-cut chicken nuggets or tenders.

Size and Weight

The size and weight of the chicken breasts you choose will impact the cooking time. Smaller breasts (5-7 oz) will take around 7-10 minutes to cook, while larger breasts (10 oz or more) may need up to 16 minutes or longer. It's important to keep an eye on the chicken during cooking to ensure it doesn't dry out, especially if you're using larger pieces.

Quality and Freshness

Always opt for high-quality, fresh chicken from a reputable source. Look for chicken that is firm to the touch, with a fresh smell and a pale pink colour. Avoid chicken that has an overpowering odour or discolouration, as this may indicate that it is past its prime.

Pounding the Chicken

To ensure even cooking and a tender texture, you may want to lightly pound the chicken breasts before cooking. Place the chicken on a cutting board and use a rolling pin, meat mallet, or even your palm to gently pound it to an even thickness. This step is especially important if your chicken breasts are particularly thick.

Remember, when selecting chicken for your boneless garlic wings, always prioritise freshness and quality. By choosing the right cut, size, and weight, and taking the time to brine and prepare your chicken properly, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious and juicy air-fried wings.

Preparing the wings

Cutting and Seasoning:

Start by cutting boneless and skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces or nuggets. You can also use boneless chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat, but adjust the cooking time accordingly as they may take a little longer to cook. Sprinkle some salt and pepper on the chicken pieces.

Creating the Mixture:

In a small bowl, whisk a couple of eggs and add some milk to create a wet dip. In a separate bowl, combine flour, ground pepper, paprika, seasoned salt, and other seasonings of your choice. You can also add some cornstarch to the flour mixture if you want extra crispiness.

Dipping and Coating:

Dip the chicken pieces into the egg mixture, ensuring they are completely coated. Then, dip them into the flour mixture, making sure they are well coated. You can also double-coat the chicken by repeating the dipping process for an extra crispy texture.

Air Fryer Preparation:

Preheat your air fryer to 370-400°F (around 188-204°C) for about 3-5 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray, avocado oil, or avocado oil spray to prevent sticking. Place the coated chicken pieces into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't touch or overlap. Leave a little space between each piece to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking.

Cooking the Wings:

Cook the wings for around 10-15 minutes, depending on your air fryer and the size of the chicken pieces. For extra crispiness, you can cook them at a lower temperature first and then increase the temperature for the last few minutes. Flip the wings halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. The wings are ready when they are golden brown and cooked through.

Sauce and Serving:

While the wings are cooking, prepare your favorite sauce. You can make a simple garlic butter sauce by melting butter and mixing it with minced garlic, or you can opt for a classic buffalo sauce by mixing melted butter and hot sauce. Once the wings are cooked, toss them in your chosen sauce, making sure they are evenly coated. Serve the wings immediately with your choice of dipping sauces and sides, such as ranch dressing, celery sticks, or carrots.

Creating the mixtures

The first step to making boneless garlic wings in an air fryer is preparing the chicken. Cut the boneless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch by 2 inches in size. You can also cut the chicken into nugget-sized pieces.

Next, create the mixtures. In one bowl, whisk two eggs and add milk to create a wet dip. In a separate bowl, combine flour, ground pepper, paprika, seasoned salt, and/or garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. You can also add in some grated parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to this mixture. Mix all the ingredients properly.

Now, it's time to dip the chicken pieces into the wet mixture of eggs and milk. After that, take them out and dip them again in the bowl of flour or the parmesan cheese mixture. Make sure to coat the chicken pieces well in the mixture.

Dipping the chicken

Preparing the Chicken

Start by cutting boneless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces or nuggets. This will ensure that the chicken is a similar size for even cooking. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat, but the cooking time may be slightly longer.

Creating the Mixtures

In one bowl, whisk two eggs and add a small amount of milk to create a wet dip. In a separate bowl, combine flour, ground pepper, paprika, seasoned salt, and other desired seasonings. You can also add Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and salt to the dry mixture for extra flavour. Mix the dry ingredients well.

Now, it's time to dip the chicken! First, dip the chicken pieces into the bowl of eggs, ensuring they are well coated. Then, take them out and dip them into the bowl of flour or the Parmesan cheese mixture. Make sure the chicken is thoroughly coated.

Cooking the Chicken

Place the coated chicken pieces into the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between each piece. This ensures proper air circulation and even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Spray the chicken with cooking oil or avocado oil spray to help achieve a crispy texture. Set the air fryer temperature to between 360-400 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer, but generally, it will take around 10-15 minutes.

Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. Keep an eye on the chicken towards the end of the cooking time to prevent overcooking or burning.

Dipping Sauce

Once the chicken is cooked, you can dip it into your favourite sauce. BBQ honey sauce, buffalo sauce, or a garlic butter sauce made with butter, minced garlic, and Parmesan cheese are all great options. You can also serve the wings with ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping.

Tips

• Always use fresh garlic and grate your own Parmesan cheese for the best flavour.
• Aim for chicken wings that are similar in size and have a little more heft to prevent drying out.
• Add freshly ground Parmesan cheese after mixing the wings with garlic, butter, and other seasonings to prevent absorption and clumping.
• These wings are best enjoyed warm, right after tossing, for maximum crispiness.

Cooking the wings

To make boneless garlic wings in an air fryer, you'll need to start by cutting boneless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. You can also use chicken thighs, but the cooking time may be a little longer. Aim for pieces that are similar in size to ensure even cooking.

Next, prepare your breading or coating. You can use a flour mixture or a mixture of parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. If you opt for the flour mixture, combine all-purpose flour with cornstarch, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. You can also add baking powder to the flour mixture to make the wings even crispier.

Once your chicken pieces are cut and your breading is ready, it's time to dip the chicken. You can either dip the chicken in a bowl of whisked eggs and then into the flour or cheese mixture, or simply drizzle olive oil over the chicken pieces and toss them in the flour or cheese mixture. Make sure the chicken is well coated.

Now it's time to cook the wings! Preheat your air fryer to between 360-400°F (182-204°C). Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or avocado oil, and place the chicken pieces inside in a single layer, leaving a little space between each piece.

Cook the wings for 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the size of your chicken pieces, so keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn.

Once the wings are cooked to a nice golden brown, remove them from the air fryer and place them in a mixing bowl. Now it's time to add your sauce! You can simply toss the wings with melted butter and garlic, or make a buffalo sauce by mixing butter and hot sauce.

Toss the wings with your chosen sauce, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions