Air Fryer Boneless Wings: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air fryer boneless wings are a great, healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken wings. They are easy to make and can be customised with a variety of sauces and seasonings to suit your taste. You can use chicken breasts or chicken thighs, and coat them in anything from almond flour to panko breadcrumbs. The air fryer's rapid circulation of hot air means you use less oil than with standard frying, and it cooks your food faster too.

Choosing your chicken

If you are using chicken breasts, cut them into large chunks or bite-sized pieces. You will need about 1 to 1.5 pounds of chicken for this recipe. You can also use frozen chicken, but it will take longer to cook, about 20-25 minutes.

Before cooking, gently pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This will help ensure that your chicken gets crispy in the air fryer.

You can also season the chicken with salt and pepper, or a spice mix of your choice, before cooking. This will add extra flavour to your boneless wings.

Once your chicken is prepared, you can move on to the next step of breading and cooking your boneless wings in the air fryer.

Preparing your chicken

Cutting and Seasoning the Chicken:

Start by cutting your boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces or chunks. Aim for pieces that are roughly 1 inch by 2 inches in size. You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat, but they may take a little longer to cook.

Once you have your chicken pieces, season them with salt and pepper, or a spice mix of your choice. You can make a simple spice mix by combining paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the spice mix over the chicken pieces evenly, ensuring each piece is well-coated.

Breading the Chicken:

To create a crispy coating on your chicken, you'll need to set up a breading station. You'll need three shallow bowls for this process. In the first bowl, whisk a couple of eggs to create an egg wash. The eggs will act as a wet dip for the chicken.

In the second bowl, combine all-purpose flour with your choice of seasonings. You can add cayenne pepper, chili pepper, paprika, garlic powder, or any other spices you like. Give the flour mixture a quick whisk to ensure it's well combined.

For the third bowl, add breadcrumbs. You can use regular breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs for an extra crispy texture. You can also make gluten-free boneless wings by using almond flour, rice flour, or gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Now, take each piece of seasoned chicken and dip it into the egg wash, making sure it's fully coated. Let any excess egg drip off before moving on to the next step.

Next, dip the chicken into the flour mixture, ensuring it's completely coated. Shake off any excess flour, then dip the chicken back into the egg wash. Finally, coat the chicken with the breadcrumbs, pressing down slightly to ensure an even coating.

Repeat this process for all your chicken pieces, transferring the breaded chicken to a cutting board as you work.

Cooking the Chicken in the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to 370°F to 400°F. Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray or avocado oil to prevent sticking.

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

Spray the chicken with olive oil or cooking spray to promote crispness. Cook the chicken for 5 minutes, then flip it over and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The total cook time will depend on the size of your chicken pieces.

Once the chicken is cooked to a golden brown color, remove it from the air fryer and set it aside while you prepare the sauce.

Making the sauce

If you're not a fan of spice, you can opt for a sweeter sauce like honey buffalo sauce, or try barbecue sauce, teriyaki, or gochujang, a spicy Korean BBQ sauce. For a gluten-free option, you can use almond flour or rice flour instead of regular flour.

Don't forget to toss the wings in the sauce as soon as they're cooked, as this will ensure the chicken stays crispy.

Cooking the wings

Now that you've gathered and prepared all your ingredients, it's time to cook your boneless wings! Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide to ensure your wings turn out perfectly:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch by 2 inches in size. You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, depending on your preference. If you're using frozen chicken, ensure it's completely thawed before cutting.

Step 2: Set Up the Breading Station

In one shallow bowl, whisk a couple of eggs until smooth. This will serve as your wet dip for the chicken. In a separate shallow bowl or container, mix together the dry ingredients: flour, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. You can also add a bit of chili pepper and a touch of paprika for some extra spice. This is your flour mixture.

Step 3: Bread the Chicken

Take each piece of chicken and coat it completely in the egg mixture. Let any excess egg drip off, then place the chicken into the flour mixture. Turn the chicken pieces to ensure they are well coated with the flour mixture. You can work in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (188°C) to 375°F (190°C). Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.

Step 5: Arrange the Chicken in the Air Fryer

Place the breaded chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, 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.

Step 6: Spray the Chicken with Oil

Lightly spray the chicken with olive oil or your preferred cooking oil. This step will help create a crispy texture similar to deep-fried chicken wings.

Step 7: Cook the Chicken

Start cooking the chicken at the preheated temperature. For the first 5 minutes, cook without disturbing the chicken. Then, open the air fryer, flip the chicken pieces over, and spray them with oil again. Continue cooking for another 7-10 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. The total cook time will depend on the size of your chicken pieces, but it typically takes around 15 minutes.

Step 8: Check for Doneness

After a total of 10 minutes of cooking, start checking the chicken for doneness. You can break a piece in half to ensure the inside is no longer pink, or use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 165°F (74°C).

Step 9: Make the Buffalo Wing Sauce (Optional)

While the chicken is cooking, you can prepare the buffalo wing sauce by mixing butter and hot sauce in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. You can adjust the proportions to your taste preferences. For a sweeter sauce, try adding some honey.

Step 10: Toss the Chicken in the Sauce

Once the chicken is cooked through, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the buffalo sauce over the chicken and gently toss with a spoon to coat all the pieces evenly. Make sure to do this step carefully so that the breading doesn't come off.

Step 11: Serve Immediately

Serve your boneless wings immediately to enjoy them at their crispiest. They tend to lose crispiness as they sit, so it's best to dig in right away! Enjoy your homemade boneless wings as an appetizer or a main course, paired with your favorite dipping sauces and sides.

Serving suggestions

These juicy, tender, and flavourful boneless wings are perfect for a game day or a family gathering. You can serve them as an appetiser, a main course, or a quick homemade snack. Here are some serving suggestions to make the most of your air fryer boneless wings:

• Dipping Sauces: Boneless wings are commonly served with dipping sauces on the side. Blue cheese or ranch dressing are popular choices to balance out the spiciness of the wings. You can also serve them with your favourite sauce, such as honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or sweet and sour sauce.
• Vegetables: Celery and carrot sticks are classic accompaniments to boneless wings. They provide a refreshing contrast to the spicy and savoury flavours of the wings.
• Pizza: Wings and pizza are a match made in heaven. Consider serving your wings with a slice of your favourite pizza for a hearty meal.
• Side Dishes: If you want to make it a full meal, pair your boneless wings with side dishes such as air fryer fries, mashed potatoes, sweet potato fries, or onion rings.
• Beverages: Depending on your preference, you can offer refreshing beverages like iced tea, lemonade, or even a cold beer to go with the wings.
• Dessert: For a well-rounded meal, don't forget dessert! Something light and refreshing like a fruit salad or a creamy cheesecake would be a perfect finish to your wing feast.

Frequently asked questions