Air-Fried Chicken Wings: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Chicken wings are a beloved snack, and making them in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get that crispy, juicy texture. Here's how to make them:

Ingredients:

- Chicken wings (separated into drumsticks and flats)

- Oil (neutral oil like avocado, canola, or vegetable oil, or extra virgin olive oil)

- Salt

- White pepper (or black pepper)

- Baking powder (optional)

- Garlic powder

- Onion powder

- Paprika

- Lemon pepper seasoning

- Ranch dressing, hot sauce, or BBQ sauce for serving

Method:

1. Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.

2. In a bowl, season the chicken wings with salt, pepper, baking powder, and oil. Mix until the wings are evenly coated.

3. Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping.

4. Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes.

5. Flip the wings and air fry at 400°F for another 8-12 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.

6. Serve with your favourite sauce or enjoy as is!

Choosing the right air fryer

Type of Air Fryer

There are three main types of air fryers available on the market: classic air fryers, air fryer ovens, and air fryer lids. Classic air fryers are the most common type, featuring a removable basket that can often be washed in the dishwasher. They come in various shapes, such as egg-shaped or square, with the latter providing more space for cooking food in a single layer. Air fryer ovens, on the other hand, resemble small ovens and offer more capacity for cooking larger quantities of food in a single layer. However, they also take up more space. The third type, air fryer lids, are designed to convert instant pots or pressure cookers into air fryers by adding a lid and a suitable air fryer basket. This option is ideal for those with limited space.

Size

Air fryers come in a variety of sizes, from super small to quite large. When considering the size, think about how many people you typically cook for. Smaller air fryers heat up and cook food faster, while larger ones allow you to cook more at once. For instance, a 2-3 quart air fryer is suitable for 1-2 people, while a 5.5 quart air fryer can accommodate 3-4 people.

Cleaning

Most air fryers have parts that are dishwasher-safe, but it's important to check this before purchasing, especially if easy cleaning is a priority for you. Keep in mind that air fryer ovens generally require hand washing, and air fryer lids may not be dishwasher-safe.

Budget

Air fryers can range in price from $30 to several hundred dollars. Smaller air fryers tend to be more affordable, but it's important to consider your needs and budget when making your decision.

Additional Features

Some air fryers offer extra features that may be important to you. For example, some models have two baskets, allowing you to cook two types of food at different temperatures simultaneously. You can also find air fryers in different colors to match your style or kitchen decor.

By considering these key factors, you can choose the right air fryer that suits your specific needs and budget. Whether you're cooking for a large family or just looking for a convenient way to prepare quick and healthy meals, there's an air fryer out there that's perfect for you!

Preparing the chicken wings

Pat the Wings Dry:

Start by patting the chicken wings with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial as it helps the wings crisp up during cooking. Make sure to get them as dry as possible.

Separate the Wings:

If you have purchased whole chicken wings, you'll need to separate them into drumettes and flats (wingettes). Use a sharp butcher's knife or kitchen scissors to cut at the joints. You can discard the wing tips or save them for making chicken stock later.

Seasoning the Wings:

Place the wings in a large mixing bowl. Add your choice of oil—options include olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil. You only need a small amount, just enough to coat the wings lightly. Then, it's time to add your chosen seasonings. You can go with a simple combination of salt and pepper, or get creative with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, rosemary, oregano, and ground mustard. Toss the wings well to ensure they are evenly coated with oil and seasonings.

Preheat the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend cooking chicken wings at temperatures between 360°F and 400°F.

Arrange the Wings in the Air Fryer:

Place the seasoned wings into the air fryer basket or tray, ensuring they are in a single layer. Avoid stacking or overcrowding the wings, as this can affect the crispiness and even cooking. It's okay if they fit snugly, as they will shrink a little during cooking.

Air Fry the Wings:

Cook the wings for the recommended time, usually around 10 minutes on each side or a total of 16-24 minutes, depending on the size of your wings and your air fryer. You may need to adjust the temperature or timing slightly based on your air fryer model and your desired level of crispiness.

Flip and Cook Again:

After the initial cooking time, flip the wings and cook for an additional 8-12 minutes at the same temperature. This ensures even cooking and helps achieve that crispy texture.

Check for Doneness:

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the wings. They are done when they reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F. However, you may find that the wings are closer to 180°F to 200°F, which is fine and will result in more tender meat.

Toss with Drippings (Optional):

For an extra juicy flavor boost, you can toss the cooked wings with the drippings collected at the bottom of the air fryer basket or tray.

Serve and Enjoy:

Your air fryer chicken wings are now ready to be devoured! Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or hot sauce. Don't forget to pair them with some fresh celery and carrot sticks on the side!

Seasoning the chicken wings

Pat the Wings Dry:

Use paper towels to pat the chicken wings as dry as possible. This step is important to ensure the wings get nice and crispy during the air frying process. Removing excess moisture prevents steaming, which can make the wings soggy instead of crispy.

Choose Your Seasonings:

You can go with a simple seasoning blend or get creative with your favourite herbs and spices. Here are some common seasoning options:

• Salt and pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Lemon pepper
• Rosemary
• Oregano
• Ground mustard
• Cayenne pepper
• Crushed red peppers

Prepare the Seasoning Mix:

In a small bowl, mix all your chosen dry ingredients. You can also add oil to the seasoning mix to create a wet rub. Alternatively, you can toss the wings in oil separately before applying the dry rub.

Apply the Seasoning:

Place the chicken wings in a large mixing bowl or a gallon-size Ziplock bag. Add the oil (if not already in the seasoning mix) and toss to coat the wings evenly. Then, add your seasoning mix and toss again until all the wings are well coated. You can use your hands or tongs to ensure an even coating.

Let the Wings Marinate (Optional):

You can let the wings sit with the seasoning for a while to enhance the flavour. However, this step is not necessary, and you can proceed to air fry the wings immediately after seasoning.

Cooking the chicken wings

The first step is to pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This will help the wings crisp up.

Next, place the wings into a bowl and add the oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss the wings to ensure they are evenly coated.

Some recipes suggest adding baking powder to the wings at this stage. This is because the baking powder reacts with the chicken skin to raise the pH level and create tiny air bubbles, resulting in a crispier coating.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the wings into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overlapping. This allows the hot air to circulate freely and cook the wings evenly.

Air fry the wings for 10 minutes, then flip them over and air fry for a further 8-12 minutes at the same temperature, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.

The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the wings, so adjust accordingly. To ensure doneness, use a thermometer probe to check that the internal temperature of the wings reaches at least 165°F.

For extra crispy wings, increase the heat to 390°F-400°F and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes.

Tips for Crispy Wings

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. If necessary, cook the wings in batches to allow for proper air circulation.
• Be flexible with the cooking time. Wings come in various sizes, so you may need to increase or decrease the cooking time accordingly.
• For the crispiest skin, dunk the wings in your chosen sauce rather than tossing them in a bowl.
• Pat the wings dry before adding the seasoning. This will ensure the skin puffs up and blisters during cooking.
• Use tongs to spread the wings into an even layer after shaking the air fryer basket.
• If you are cooking a large batch of wings, it may be helpful to line the wings up standing upright along the sides of the air fryer to fit more in at once. This won't affect how they cook and allows you to fit more in at once.

Serving the chicken wings

Now that you've made your delicious chicken wings, it's time to serve them! Here are some tips and ideas to make the most of your meal:

• Dipping sauces: Chicken wings are commonly served with dipping sauces on the side. Some popular options include ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, buffalo sauce, or BBQ sauce. You can also get creative and make your own unique sauce to impress your guests!
• Vegetables: Chicken wings go well with fresh vegetables like celery and carrot sticks. You can also serve them with a side of coleslaw or a simple wedge salad.
• Potato dishes: If you're looking for something more filling, consider pairing your wings with potato salad, creamy mac and cheese, or even air fryer French fries or sweet potato fries.
• Other sides: For a heartier meal, serve your wings with a side of corn on the cob or avocado ranch. You can also make a simple side dish like cilantro lime dip or blue cheese dressing from scratch to impress your guests.
• Storage: If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze cooked wings and thaw them overnight before reheating.
• Reheating: To reheat your wings, use your air fryer at 360°F for 3-4 minutes, or until they are heated through. You can also use an oven or microwave, but the wings may lose some of their crispiness.

Frequently asked questions