Tiffany Haney
Chicken wings are a popular snack, especially during game days. They are usually deep-fried, but you can also make them in an air fryer, which is healthier and quicker.
To make chicken wings in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:
- Chicken wings
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Baking powder
First, pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel. Then, place them in a bowl and add the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat the wings evenly.
Next, preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F. Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping. Air fry for 10-20 minutes, shaking the basket every few minutes, until the wings are golden brown.
Finally, increase the temperature to 390-400°F and cook for another 5-8 minutes until the wings are brown and crispy. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce and enjoy!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Chicken wings, olive oil, lemon pepper seasoning, salt, buffalo wing sauce, Thai sweet chilli sauce, ranch or blue cheese dressing, BBQ sauce, hot honey |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 360ºF |
| Air Fryer Time | 18 minutes, shaking the basket every 6 minutes, then increase the heat to 390ºF and cook for another 5-6 minutes |
What You'll Learn
How to prepare the chicken wings before cooking
Preparing chicken wings before cooking is an important step to ensure they turn out crispy and delicious. Here are some detailed instructions on how to prepare chicken wings for cooking in a power air fryer:
Defrost the Chicken Wings:
If your chicken wings are frozen, it is important to defrost them before cooking. Place them in the refrigerator overnight to thaw gradually. This step is crucial, as cooking frozen chicken wings can result in uneven cooking and affect the final texture.
Separate the Wings:
Chicken wings typically come in three parts: the drumette, the flat/wingette, and the tip. For most recipes, you'll want to separate the wings into drumettes and wingettes, discarding the tips or reserving them for stock. This can be done by locating the two joints on the wing and cutting through them with a sharp knife or kitchen shears.
Pat the Wings Dry:
Moisture is the enemy of crispiness when it comes to air frying. After separating the wings, use paper towels to pat them dry thoroughly. This step will help ensure a crispy skin when cooked.
Season the Wings:
Place the dry wings in a large bowl or a gallon-size Ziplock bag. Drizzle them with a small amount of olive oil and add your desired seasonings. You can use a basic blend of salt and pepper or get creative with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or even a dash of cayenne for some heat. Seal the bag and shake well to ensure an even coating, or toss the wings in the bowl until they're thoroughly coated.
Preheat the Air Fryer:
Preheat your power air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 360-400°F (182-204°C). This step ensures that your air fryer is ready to go and will help the wings cook evenly.
Now your chicken wings are ready to be cooked in your power air fryer! Follow the cooking instructions provided by the manufacturer, and don't forget to shake the basket periodically during cooking for even browning. Enjoy your delicious, crispy air-fried chicken wings!
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How to cook the chicken wings in the air fryer
Ingredients
To make chicken wings in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:
- Chicken wings
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Baking powder
- White pepper
- Neutral oil (avocado oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil)
Method
- Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F.
- Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- Place the chicken wings in a large bowl and add olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat the wings evenly with the seasoning.
- Place the chicken wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overlapping.
- Air fry the wings for 10 minutes, then flip them over and air fry for another 8-12 minutes at the same temperature, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Increase the temperature to 390-400°F and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket every 2 minutes, until the wings are brown and crispy.
- Serve the wings with your favorite dipping sauces such as ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, BBQ sauce, or hot sauce.
Tips:
- Pat the chicken wings dry before marinating to remove excess moisture and ensure crispy skin.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the wings in batches if necessary to allow for proper air circulation.
- Increase the temperature during the last few minutes of cooking to achieve extra crispiness.
- You can freeze any leftover wings and reheat them in the air fryer at 360°F for 4 minutes.
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How to make the chicken wings extra crispy
How to Make Extra Crispy Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer
Making chicken wings in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get crispy, juicy wings without the added oil and hassle of deep-frying. Here are some tips to ensure your chicken wings come out extra crispy:
Pat the Wings Dry
Before seasoning your wings, use paper towels to pat them dry and remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial, as moisture is the enemy of crispy skin. You want the wings to be as dry as possible before adding any oil or seasoning.
Use Baking Powder
Baking powder is the secret ingredient that will take your chicken wings to the next level of crispiness. It reacts with the chicken skin by raising its pH level and creating tiny air bubbles, resulting in a beautiful, paper-thin, and crisp exterior. Be sure to use baking powder and not baking soda, as baking soda can leave an unpleasant aftertaste.
Don't Overcrowd the Air Fryer
When arranging the wings in the air fryer basket, make sure they are in a single layer with enough space between them for air to circulate freely. This will ensure that the hot air can flow around the wings and crisp up the skin evenly. If your air fryer is not big enough to fit all the wings in a single layer, cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Flip the Wings
After the initial cooking time at a lower temperature, flip the wings and increase the air fryer temperature to get them extra crispy. This two-step cooking process ensures that the wings are cooked through and juicy on the inside, with a perfectly crispy skin on the outside.
Check the Internal Temperature
To ensure that your chicken wings are fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The wings are done when the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F.
Reheat in the Air Fryer
If you have any leftover wings, the best way to reheat them and maintain their crispiness is to use the air fryer again. Simply air fry the wings at 350°F for a few minutes until they are hot and crispy.
Customize with Your Favorite Sauce
The beauty of air fryer chicken wings is that you can customize them with your favorite sauce or dry rub. Try classic options like buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, or ranch dressing, or get creative with lemon pepper, garlic parmesan, or Cajun seasoning.
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How to store leftover chicken wings
Storing leftover chicken wings is easy. If you intend to eat them within the next few days, store them in the refrigerator. If you want to keep them for longer, put them in the freezer.
Storing Leftover Chicken Wings in the Refrigerator
Leftover chicken wings can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. Make sure to place the wings in an airtight container and keep the temperature at 40°F or below.
Storing Leftover Chicken Wings in the Freezer
If you want to store your leftover chicken wings for longer than four days, you can put them in the freezer. To prevent freezer burn, use a vacuum sealer to seal the packaging before freezing. With this method, your chicken wings can be stored for up to four months.
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What sauces to serve with the chicken wings
Chicken wings are a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of sauces to enhance their flavour. Here are some sauce options to serve with your air-fried chicken wings:
- Buffalo Wing Sauce: A classic choice, you can use a store-bought sauce or make your own by mixing hot sauce, butter, and garlic powder.
- Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce: For an Asian-inspired twist, this sweet and spicy sauce is a great option.
- Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing: Go for a creamy, tangy dip with these classic choices.
- BBQ Sauce: A kid-friendly, classic pairing that is always a crowd-pleaser.
- Hot Honey: Drizzle this relatively new sauce over your wings for a sweet and spicy kick.
- Cilantro Lime Dip: A fresh and zesty dip to balance out the richness of the wings.
- Chunky Blue Cheese: A hearty and flavourful dip that pairs well with the wings.
- Honey Garlic Sauce: A sweet and savoury sauce that will have your taste buds dancing.
- Jalapeno Ranch: Spice things up with this ranch dressing that has a kick of jalapeno.
- Lemon Pepper Sauce: Zesty and refreshing, this sauce will brighten up your wings.
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Frequently asked questions
The cooking time will depend on the number of wings you are cooking and the size of your air fryer. As a rough guide, two pounds of chicken wings will take 23-24 minutes to cook in a large air fryer.
Yes, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer to 360ºF or 380ºF before adding the chicken wings.
Yes, you can cook raw chicken in an air fryer. In fact, this is preferable to using pre-cooked chicken, as it will ensure your wings are juicy and tender.
To make crispy chicken wings, it is important to pat the wings dry before adding any seasoning or oil. You can also add a little baking powder to the wings before cooking, as this will help to create an extra crispy skin.
