Air Fryer Breaded Wings: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Air fryer chicken wings are a quick and easy way to make juicy, tender wings with a crispy coating. This method is healthier than deep-frying, but still delivers delicious results. The air fryer's circulating hot air makes the skin super crisp, and you can add extra crunch with a simple breading or a dusting of baking powder.

How to make the wings extra crispy

How to Make the Crispiest Wings in an Air Fryer

Making extra crispy chicken wings in an air fryer is easy. Here are some tips to ensure your wings are as crispy as possible:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket - Air fryers make food crispy by circulating air around it. If there's no room for air to circulate, the wings won't crisp up. You may need to cook the wings in batches.
• Be flexible with the cooking time - Chicken wings come in various sizes so you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the size of your wings.
• Don't overlap the wings - Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, with a little space between each wing.
• Use baking powder - Baking powder is great at drawing the liquid out of chicken skin, making it significantly drier and crispier.
• Use salt - Salt improves browning, so it's a good idea to season your wings with salt before cooking.
• Don't use baking soda - Baking soda won't work in the same way as baking powder and will leave an unpleasant aftertaste.
• Pat the wings dry - Moisture is the enemy of crispy skin, so be sure to pat the wings dry with paper towels before seasoning and cooking.
• Check the internal temperature - The best way to know if your wings are fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach at least 165°F.

The best sauces to serve with the wings

There are many different sauces that go well with breaded chicken wings. Here are some of the best options:

Spicy Sauces

• Buffalo sauce
• Nashville hot sauce
• Harissa sauce
• Spicy apricot glaze
• Spicy sriracha sauce
• Honey Buffalo sauce
• Honey sriracha sauce
• Hot honey
• Spicy gochujang glaze
• Jalapeño ranch
• Thai peanut sauce
• Huli huli sauce
• Jerk sauce
• Alabama white BBQ sauce
• Korean fried chicken sauce
• General Tso sauce
• Fermented hot sauce
• Garlic Parmesan sauce
• Thai sweet chilli sauce

Sweet Sauces

• BBQ sauce
• Honey mustard sauce
• Sweet-and-sour sauce
• Sweet-and-spicy pantry sauce
• Penang-style sticky sauce
• Cherry barbecue glaze
• Honey BBQ sauce
• Sweet chilli sauce
• Honey-chile sauce
• Lemon pepper sauce
• Tahini sauce
• Chick-fil-A sauce
• Coconut-lime sauce

Savoury Sauces

• Ranch dressing
• Blue cheese dressing
• Avocado ranch
• Thai sweet chilli sauce
• Lemon pepper sauce
• Chimichurri sauce
• Halal cart-style white sauce
• Kansas City-style BBQ sauce
• Marinara sauce
• Remoulade
• Garlic Parmesan sauce
• Tahini sauce
• Halal cart-style white sauce
• Ike's Vietnamese fish sauce

How to reheat the wings

How to Reheat Wings in an Air Fryer

If you have any leftover breaded chicken wings, you can easily reheat them in an air fryer. This will ensure that the wings are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, just like they were when they were freshly cooked.

Steps to Reheat Wings:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350-375°F.
• Place the leftover wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between each wing. You may need to reheat in batches if you have a lot of wings.
• Set the timer for 2-6 minutes, depending on the size of the wings and whether they are sauced or not. Flip the wings halfway through for even cooking.
• Check the internal temperature of the wings with a meat thermometer; it should read 165°F.
• Serve the wings immediately.

Tips for Reheating Wings:

• Take the wings out of the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature before placing them in the air fryer.
• Group wings of similar sizes together to ensure they reheat evenly.
• Baste the wings with your favourite sauce or serve with a dipping sauce on the side.
• If you are reheating sauced wings, use a small air fryer pan, tin foil, or parchment paper to avoid a mess and keep the sauce on the wings.
• Store any leftover wings in an airtight container or zippered plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

The best air fryer to use

There are a few things to consider when choosing the best air fryer to use for making chicken wings. Firstly, you'll want to think about the type of air fryer you prefer – basket-style or oven-style. Basket-style air fryers, like the Ninja Air Fryer Max XL, are standalone appliances with a pull-out drawer and a cooking basket, making it easy to shake and toss your wings during cooking. Oven-style air fryers, on the other hand, have multiple trays that can fit more wings and are better for dehydrating, but you'll need to rotate the trays during cooking for even results.

Another consideration is the size of the air fryer. If you're cooking for a large family or group, opt for a larger capacity model like the Instant Vortex 6-quart XL Air Fryer or the Philips Premium Airfryer XXL, which has a 7-quart capacity. For smaller households or single servings, the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer is a good option with a 4-quart capacity.

Lastly, you may want to consider special features that some air fryers offer. For example, the Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 8-qt. 2-Basket Air Fryer has two baskets for cooking different foods or larger portions, while the Instant 10-qt. Air Fryer has a rotisserie function for cooking a whole chicken to perfection. The Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer is a high-tech option with a temperature probe to help guide you in achieving the perfect doneness for your wings.

In summary, the best air fryer for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Consider the type, size, and special features to make an informed decision and choose the air fryer that best suits your wing-cooking endeavours.

How to prepare the wings before cooking

Preparing the wings before cooking is a crucial step in achieving the perfect air-fried wings. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Firstly, it is important to pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. This step helps remove any excess moisture from the wings, which is essential for achieving a crispy texture. Make sure to get them as dry as possible.

Next, you can season the wings. Place the wings in a large bowl and drizzle them with oil. You can use a neutral-flavoured oil such as avocado, canola, or vegetable oil. Then, add your choice of seasonings. You can use a simple combination of salt and pepper, or get creative with spices like garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, or lemon pepper. Toss the wings well to ensure they are evenly coated with oil and seasonings.

Some recipes also suggest using baking powder as a secret ingredient to make the wings extra crispy. The baking powder reacts with the chicken skin, raising its pH level, and helping to form a crispy coating. If you choose to use baking powder, simply add it to the bowl with the oil and seasonings, and toss well to coat the wings.

Once your wings are seasoned, it's time to arrange them in the air fryer basket. Place the wings in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. It's important to allow space between the wings so that hot air can circulate and crisp up all sides evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook the wings in batches.

Now your wings are prepared and ready for cooking! Follow the cooking instructions for your chosen recipe, and you'll have delicious, crispy air-fried wings in no time!

Frequently asked questions