Air-Fried Chinese Chicken Wings: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Chinese chicken wings are a tasty and easy dish to make in an air fryer. The air fryer allows you to achieve a juicy, tender, and crunchy texture with minimal oil, making it a healthier alternative to deep-frying. The key to getting crispy chicken wings is to pat them dry completely before marinating and air frying. You can marinate the chicken wings in a large ziplock bag overnight or for at least 30 minutes to enhance the flavour. When air frying, ensure that the wings are placed in a single layer with some space between them to allow for even cooking and crisping. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the wings and the type of air fryer, but on average, it takes around 10-15 minutes on each side to achieve a golden crispy texture. You can also make a quick glaze or sauce to brush onto the wings after cooking for extra flavour.

Marinating the chicken

To prepare the chicken for marinating, start by patting the wings dry with paper towels. This step is crucial, as any remaining moisture can turn to steam during cooking, which will affect the crispiness of the skin.

Once the chicken is dry, you can begin preparing the marinade. In a large bowl or ziplock bag, combine the chicken with the remaining ingredients. The exact ingredients will vary depending on your preferred recipe, but common ingredients include soy sauce, Shaoxing wine or dry sherry, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and various spices. Mix everything well, ensuring that the chicken is evenly coated in the marinade.

After mixing, place the chicken in the refrigerator to marinate. It is recommended to use a large ziplock bag for this step, as it ensures even marination without the need to stir the chicken periodically. If you are not planning to cook the chicken immediately, you can store the ziplock bag in the freezer and thaw it when you are ready to cook.

Before cooking, remember to drain the chicken thoroughly and discard the excess marinade. Pat the chicken dry once more with paper towels to remove any remaining moisture before proceeding to the next step.

Preparing the air fryer

Firstly, ensure your air fryer is clean and ready for use. If it has been a while since you last used it, give it a quick wipe down with a damp cloth to remove any dust or residue.

Next, preheat your air fryer. Most recipes recommend preheating to around 350-400°F (176-200°C). This step is important as it helps create the ideal cooking environment for your wings. Preheat for about 2-5 minutes, depending on your air fryer model.

While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your chicken wings. Pat them dry with paper towels—this step is crucial for achieving that crispy texture. If your wings are frozen, ensure they are completely defrosted before proceeding.

Now, it's time to season your wings. You can use a variety of seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and white pepper. Mix these spices in a small bowl, and then sprinkle them evenly over the wings. You can also add baking powder to the seasoning mix, as it helps enhance crispiness. Ensure the wings are thoroughly coated.

Once your wings are seasoned, it's time to arrange them in the air fryer basket. Place them in a single layer, making sure they don't touch each other. This arrangement ensures even cooking and maximum crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook the wings in batches.

After the air fryer is preheated, place the basket inside and set the timer. For crispy Chinese chicken wings, cook the wings for around 12-15 minutes at 400°F (200°C), flipping them halfway through. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size of your wings and the model of your air fryer, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

When the wings are done, they should be golden crispy and have an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove them from the air fryer and set them aside to rest while you prepare the sauce or any other accompaniments.

Remember, the key to successful air frying is ensuring proper airflow and not overcrowding the basket. Always arrange the wings in a single layer and leave some space between them. Now you're all set to cook your Chinese chicken wings to perfection!

Cooking the wings

Now that you've got your ingredients together, it's time to cook your Chinese chicken wings in the air fryer!

First, pat your chicken wings dry with paper towels. This step is important as it will help the wings get crispy. Then, add your wings to a large mixing bowl.

Next, you'll make your marinade. In a separate small bowl, combine baking powder, salt, black pepper, white pepper (if using), garlic powder, onion powder, and brown sugar. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture over the chicken wings and toss until they are thoroughly coated. Make sure the seasoning is evenly distributed.

Now, it's time to add the liquid ingredients to your wings. In a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and sesame oil. Add the seasoned chicken wings to this marinade, tossing to coat. Let the wings marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or ideally, overnight in the refrigerator.

Once the wings have finished marinating, it's time to coat them. In a large bowl, combine cornstarch and potato starch, or use more cornstarch if you prefer. Remove the wings from the marinade and lightly shake off any excess liquid. Dredge each wing in the cornstarch mixture, pressing the coating onto the wings for better adherence.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with oil. Place the coated wings in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they don't touch.

Cook the wings at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes, flipping them halfway through. They should be crispy and have an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

While the wings are cooking, you can make a sauce to toss them in or serve on the side for dipping. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine hoisin sauce and sriracha sauce. Heat the mixture until it's warmed through.

Once the wings are done, you can either toss them in the sauce or serve it on the side. Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped green onions, and red pepper flakes if desired. Enjoy your delicious, crispy Chinese chicken wings!

Making a sauce

Hoisin Sauce and Sriracha Sauce

Combine hoisin sauce and sriracha sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat the mixture until it is warmed through. You can either toss the cooked wings in the sauce or serve the sauce on the side as a dipping option.

Honey, Soy Sauce, Ginger, and Garlic

Combine honey, soy sauce, grated ginger, garlic, butter, and Gochujang paste in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer the mixture while stirring until it becomes thick and syrupy. Pour the sauce over the wings and toss to coat. Alternatively, brush the sauce onto the wings.

Fish Sauce Vinaigrette

Combine fish sauce, sugar, fish sauce, lime juice, garlic, and Thai chilli in a small bowl. After frying the chicken, coat it with the sauce.

Orange Chicken Sauce

Combine orange juice, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, and cornstarch in a small bowl. After frying the chicken, coat it with the sauce.

Korean Spicy Chicken Sauce

Combine ketchup, gochujang, honey, brown sugar, garlic, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and minced ginger in a small bowl. After frying the chicken, coat it with the sauce.

Vietnamese Chicken Spice

Dust the chicken with a mixture of sugar, white pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.

Japanese Karaage Wings

Marinate the chicken with soy sauce, sake, minced ginger, crushed garlic, and sugar.

Reheating and storing

Once you've cooked your Chinese chicken wings in the air fryer, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to four days. Make sure to keep them in an airtight container or a zippered plastic bag.

When you're ready to reheat your wings, take them out of the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Then, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (176°C). You can spritz the wings with a little cooking spray or oil if you like, then place them in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each wing for the hot air to circulate. Reheat for up to 10 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

And that's it! Your Chinese chicken wings should now be crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, just like they were when they were first cooked.

If you're reheating sauced wings, it's a good idea to use a small air fryer pan or some tin foil to prevent the sauce from sticking to the air fryer basket and making a mess. You may also need to adjust the cooking time slightly, as sauced wings may take a little longer to reheat—around 4 to 5 minutes in the preheated air fryer.

Frequently asked questions