Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings are a delicious, addictive, and easy-to-make snack or appetizer. With a crispy texture and a sweet and savoury sauce, these wings are perfect for any occasion, from a lazy Sunday afternoon to a party with friends. The key to achieving the desired crispiness lies in coating the wings with potato/corn starch and ensuring they are not overcrowded in the air fryer. The sauce, a combination of honey, soy sauce, and garlic, is what gives these wings their distinctive flavour. So, whether you're looking for a tasty snack or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings are definitely worth trying!

How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer

How to prepare the chicken wings

Preparing the chicken wings is a straightforward process, but there are a few key steps to ensure they are cooked to perfection. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare the chicken wings for your Honey Garlic Chicken Wings:

Firstly, gather your chicken wings. You can use fresh or frozen wings, but ensure they are fully thawed if frozen. If you are using whole wings, you will need to split them at the joint between the flat and drumette. You can also purchase already split wings. For this recipe, you will need around 1-2 pounds of chicken wings, which should give you about 8-10 whole wings or 15-20 wing pieces.

Before coating the wings, it is important to pat them dry with paper towels. Remove any excess moisture so that the coating will stick properly and the wings will crisp up nicely.

Now, it's time to season the wings. In a medium or large mixing bowl, combine the wings with your chosen oil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until the wings are evenly coated with the seasonings. At this point, you have the option to marinate the wings for extra flavour. Cover and leave them to marinate in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes or even overnight.

The next step is to add the cornstarch or potato starch. This is the secret ingredient to achieving that extra crispy texture. Add 3 tablespoons of cornstarch or potato starch to the bowl and mix until everything is evenly coated. If there are any leftover clumps, firmly press them onto the wings.

Once your wings are seasoned and coated, it's time to arrange them in the air fryer basket. Lightly coat the basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking. Place the wings in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Try to avoid overlapping the wings so that they cook evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in batches.

Now, you're ready to air fry! Set your air fryer to 400°F and cook the wings for 18-25 minutes. For best results, flip the wings halfway through the cooking process and spray the other side with cooking spray. The wings are done when they are golden brown, crispy, and have an internal temperature of 165°F.

And that's it! Your chicken wings are now prepared and ready to be tossed in the delicious honey garlic sauce.

How to make the honey garlic sauce

To make the honey garlic sauce, you will need:

• Honey
• Soy Sauce
• Garlic
• Butter (unsalted)
• Cornstarch (optional)
• Water (optional)
• Brown sugar (optional)
• Rice vinegar, white wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar (optional)

In a large pan over medium heat, add the butter. Once melted, add the garlic and sauté for 20-30 seconds until fragrant. Then, add the honey and soy sauce and bring to a simmer. You can also add in brown sugar here if you like your sauce on the sweeter side. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes, depending on how thick you like it. If you want a heavier sauce, mix in cornstarch and water. Whisk the mixture until smooth and add to the saucepan. Continue to cook until the sauce reaches your desired thickness.

If you prefer, you can also make the sauce in a separate saucepan and toss the wings in a large mixing bowl.

How to glaze the wings

Glazing the wings is the final step in making honey garlic chicken wings in an air fryer. The glaze is a honey garlic sauce that coats the wings and gives them a sticky-sweet taste. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to glaze the wings:

Making the Honey Garlic Sauce:

First, prepare the honey garlic sauce while the wings are cooking in the air fryer. In a large saucepan, preferably non-stick, add butter and heat it over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the garlic and sauté until fragrant. This should take about 20 to 30 seconds.

Next, add the honey and soy sauce to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer, and let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes, depending on how thick you want the sauce. If you prefer a thinner sauce, simmer for a shorter time, and for a thicker sauce, simmer for a little longer.

Tossing the Wings in the Sauce:

Once the wings are cooked and golden brown, it's time to add them to the sauce. Place the wings in the saucepan and toss them gently, ensuring they are evenly coated with the honey garlic sauce. If the sauce has thickened too much and become difficult to coat the wings, simply heat it up a little to thin it out.

Serving the Wings:

After coating the wings, serve them immediately while they are still hot. Garnish the wings with toasted sesame seeds or chopped green onions, if desired.

Storing and Reheating:

If you have any leftover honey garlic chicken wings, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

To reheat the wings, you can use the air fryer, oven, or microwave. For the air fryer and oven, heat at 350°F for about 8 to 10 minutes or until they are thoroughly warmed. In the microwave, cover the wings and heat until hot.

Customization:

You can also experiment with different flavors and spices to customize your honey garlic chicken wings. For a teriyaki twist, add grated ginger and toasted sesame oil to the sauce. If you prefer your wings with a kick, add some red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, garlic powder, or a dash of hot sauce to the marinade.

Additionally, if you want to reduce the sweetness of the dish, you can balance it out by adding more soy sauce or a splash of apple cider vinegar to the marinade.

So, there you have it! A step-by-step guide to glazing honey garlic chicken wings in an air fryer. Enjoy the sweet and savory flavors of this delicious dish!

Tips for making the wings even crispier

• If you want to make your honey garlic chicken wings even crispier, you can increase the air fryer's temperature for the last 3-4 minutes of cooking.
• Make sure the wings are dry before you put them in the air fryer. Blot them with paper towels or, if you've rinsed them, drain and dry them thoroughly.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Arrange the wings in a single layer, ensuring they're not overlapping.
• Marinate the wings. This will add flavour and moisture, but be sure to drain and dry them well after marinating so that the batter doesn't become too loose.
• Add baking powder to the spice mix and combine. Baking powder breaks down proteins and makes the wings golden brown, taking crunch to a whole new level.
• If your air fryer basket or rack is prone to sticking, brush it with a bit of vegetable oil. Avoid aerosol cooking sprays as they can damage the non-stick coating and impact the flavour of the food.

How to store and reheat the wings

Leftover honey garlic chicken wings can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days or in the freezer for up to four months. To store, let the wings cool completely, then place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Make sure your fridge temperature is below 40°F (4°C).

When you're ready to reheat the wings, you can use the microwave, air fryer, or oven.

For the microwave:

Cover the wings and heat until hot.

For the air fryer or oven:

• Preheat the air fryer or oven to 350°F.
• Place the wings on a sheet of foil and bake/air fry for about 8 to 10 minutes or until heated through.

If you're looking for that crispy texture, the oven or air fryer method is best. Spread the wings out on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they're crispy. For the air fryer, set the temperature to 375-400°F and air fry for 5-7 minutes on each side.

If you're in a hurry, the microwave will do the trick, but your wings may turn out less crispy. Remove the wings from the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Place the wings in a single layer on a microwave-safe container and heat on high for 1-2 minutes on each side.

Frequently asked questions