Air Fryer Boneless Wings: A Homemade, Crispy Treat

Making homemade boneless wings in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to enjoy chicken wings at home. The air fryer cuts down on the mess and amount of oil used compared to deep frying, while still achieving a crispy texture. This recipe is also versatile, allowing for different sauces and seasonings to cater to various preferences and occasions.

Choosing your chicken

When purchasing your chicken, look for pieces that are roughly equal in size and thickness to ensure even cooking. You'll want to cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch by 2 inches in size. This will make it easier to coat the chicken in the breading and ensure that it cooks evenly in the air fryer.

The amount of chicken you need will depend on how many servings you want to make. As a guide, one chicken breast typically weighs around 6-8 ounces, and you can expect to get around 2-3 servings from a single breast.

Before coating and cooking the chicken, it's important to pat the pieces dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This will help the breading adhere better and promote a crispier texture when cooked.

In terms of preparation, some recipes suggest cutting the chicken into chunks and then seasoning, while others recommend seasoning the chicken breasts whole and then cutting them into pieces. Either way, make sure your chicken is thoroughly coated in the spices before moving on to the breading and cooking steps.

Now that you've chosen your chicken, you're ready to move on to the next steps of breading and cooking your homemade boneless wings in an air fryer!

Preparing the chicken

Cutting the Chicken:

Start by cutting your boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces or chunks. You can cut them into approximately 1-inch cubes or pieces similar in size to chicken wings. The size and shape of the chicken pieces will impact the cooking time, so try to keep them relatively uniform.

Seasoning the Chicken:

Before breading the chicken, you can season the pieces with salt and pepper or a spice mix of your choice. This step is optional but adds extra flavour to your wings. You can use a store-bought chicken wing seasoning or make your own by mixing spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt.

Breading the Chicken:

Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, whisk a couple of eggs to create an egg wash. You can also add a splash of milk to the eggs if you like. The second bowl should contain the dry ingredients for coating the chicken. This can be a mixture of flour, cornstarch, or almond flour with spices like cayenne, chili pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. The third bowl should contain breadcrumbs, preferably panko breadcrumbs, for the final coating.

Take each piece of chicken and dip it first in the egg wash, letting the excess drip off. Then, coat the chicken with the dry ingredients, making sure it's fully covered. Finally, dip it into the breadcrumbs and press down slightly to ensure an even coating. Repeat this process for all the chicken pieces.

Arranging the Chicken in the Air Fryer:

Place the breaded chicken pieces into the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each piece. Do not overcrowd the basket as proper air circulation is essential for crispy results. You may need to cook the chicken in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. Spray the chicken pieces with olive oil or cooking spray to help them get extra crispy.

Cooking the Chicken:

Preheat your air fryer to between 350-380°F (177-193°C). The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken pieces, but on average, it should take around 10-15 minutes. Flip the chicken pieces halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check if the chicken is done. It should reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C).

Preparing the flour mixture

Start by gathering your ingredients. You'll need all-purpose flour, also known as plain flour, as the base for your flour mixture. You can also experiment with alternative flours like almond flour, rice flour, or gluten-free flour blends for a gluten-free option. If you want an extra crispy texture, you can include panko breadcrumbs in your flour mixture as well. For flavour, add some spices such as cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. You can adjust the amounts of these spices to your taste preferences.

Now, it's time to mix everything together. In a separate bowl, combine the flour with the spices and mix well. Make sure to break up any lumps and evenly distribute the spices throughout the flour. You can use a whisk or a fork to mix everything together thoroughly. If you're using breadcrumbs, mix them in a separate bowl with the spices first, and then combine this mixture with the flour.

Once your flour mixture is ready, you can start the breading process. Set up a station with your flour mixture, a shallow bowl of whisked eggs for dipping, and a plate for the coated chicken. Take each piece of chicken, dip it in the egg mixture, and then coat it thoroughly with the flour mixture. Make sure to shake off any excess flour before placing the chicken on a plate. Repeat this process until all your chicken pieces are coated.

If you're making a large batch, you can place the coated chicken on a wire rack while you prepare the rest. This will help keep them dry and ensure an even coating. Once you're ready to cook, simply follow the instructions for your air fryer, making sure to leave space around each piece of chicken for the air to circulate properly.

Feel free to experiment with different spices and ingredients in your flour mixture to find your perfect combination. Enjoy making your homemade boneless wings!

Cooking the chicken

The first step is to cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. You can use either boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs. If you are using chicken breasts, cut them into pieces about 1 inch by 2 inches in size. If using chicken thighs, cut them into large chunks.

Next, prepare the breading station. In one shallow bowl, whisk two eggs. In another shallow bowl, mix together the flour, cayenne pepper, chili pepper, and paprika. You can also add garlic powder, onion powder, and salt to taste. In a third shallow bowl, add panko breadcrumbs.

Now it's time to bread the chicken. Using one hand for the wet ingredients and the other for the dry will help to prevent clumping. Take each piece of chicken and dip it first in the egg mixture, then in the flour mixture, and finally in the breadcrumbs. Make sure each piece is fully coated at each step, shaking off any excess. Place the breaded chicken on a plate or cutting board and repeat with the remaining pieces.

Once all the chicken is breaded, it's time to cook it. You can use an air fryer, oven, or pan fry the chicken. If using an air fryer, preheat it to between 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each piece for the air to circulate. Spray the chicken with olive oil or cooking spray and cook for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

If baking in the oven, preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken on a wire rack on top of a foil-lined baking sheet and spray with cooking spray. Bake for 12 minutes. There is no need to flip the chicken halfway through if using a wire rack. If cooking directly on a baking sheet, flip halfway through.

To pan-fry the chicken, add enough canola or vegetable oil to a large skillet to reach a depth of about 1/2 inch. Place the pan over medium-high heat and once the oil is hot, add the chicken in batches, making sure not to crowd the pan. Fry the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown.

Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Making the sauce

For a simple buffalo sauce, melt some butter and add your desired wing sauce, then add a squeeze of lemon juice. You can also add some hot sauce for a spicier kick.

For a sweeter sauce, try a Honey Buffalo Sauce. Alternatively, you could brush the wings with barbecue sauce, teriyaki, or hot sauce.

Once your sauce is ready, toss the wings in the sauce immediately. The longer you wait, the less crispy your chicken will be. Lightly toss the wings in a bowl with the sauce, being careful not to break up the batter.

Serve the wings with your favourite ranch or blue cheese dipping sauce.

Frequently asked questions