Keto Chicken Wings: Air Fryer Style

Chicken wings are a favourite keto meal or appetiser, and cooking them in an air fryer is one of the easiest and best ways to cook them. Not only does it create an extra crispy crust on the outside, but it also seals in the juices, making the meat extra juicy.

The clean-up is also much easier than with conventional frying methods, as there is no grease splatter or giant trays to wash by hand. Most air fryer baskets are also dishwasher-safe.

Choosing the right oil for your keto chicken wings

When making keto chicken wings in an air fryer, the oil you use is important. You want an oil with a high smoke point that will give your wings a crispy texture. Here are some of the best oils to use:

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is a great choice for air frying because of its high smoke point and neutral flavour. It will help to give your wings a crispy texture without imparting too much flavour. Avocado oil is also a healthy oil, rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, making it a good choice if you're watching your cholesterol levels.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is another oil with a high smoke point that is suitable for air frying. It has a distinct flavour that can enhance the taste of your wings. Olive oil is also a good source of monounsaturated fats and contains antioxidants, which offer health benefits.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a healthy saturated fat that is solid at room temperature but melts quickly. It has a high smoke point, which makes it suitable for air frying. Coconut oil can add a subtle sweetness to your wings and is a good source of healthy medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs).

Neutral Oil

If you don't want to add any extra flavour to your wings, you can use a neutral oil such as canola oil, vegetable oil, or grapeseed oil. These oils have high smoke points and neutral flavours, making them suitable for air frying.

When choosing an oil for your keto chicken wings, consider the smoke point, flavour, and health benefits. Avocado oil, olive oil, coconut oil, and neutral oils are all great choices that will help you achieve crispy, delicious wings.

How to season your keto chicken wings

Before we get into the how, let's address the why. Why bother seasoning your keto chicken wings? Well, aside from adding flavour, seasoning your wings also helps to ensure a crispier skin.

Choose Your Seasoning

You can go with a simple seasoning of salt and pepper, or you can get creative and mix things up with a variety of seasonings or sauces. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Lemon pepper
• Cajun seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika
• Taco seasoning
• Olive oil
• Baking powder
• Sea salt
• Black pepper

How to Season Your Wings

Now that you've chosen your seasoning, it's time to get started. Here's a step-by-step guide to seasoning your keto chicken wings:

• Start by drying your wings with paper towels. This step is important as it removes excess moisture, allowing the wings to crisp up nicely in the air fryer.
• Next, combine your chosen seasoning with the wings. You can do this by placing the wings in a large bowl and sprinkling on the seasoning mix, or by placing the wings and seasoning in a resealable plastic bag and shaking to coat.
• Once your wings are seasoned, it's time to cook them. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they're not overlapping. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Cook your wings according to your air fryer's instructions. Most recipes recommend cooking at a lower temperature for the first half of the cooking time, and then increasing the temperature to get them extra crispy.
• Finally, once your wings are cooked, you can toss them in your favourite keto-friendly sauce if desired.

The best cooking temperature and time for keto chicken wings

Keto chicken wings are a delicious, low-carb meal that can be made in an air fryer in under 30 minutes. The cooking time and temperature will depend on whether you are using fresh or frozen wings, and whether you want to add a sauce.

For Fresh Wings:

If you are cooking fresh wings in an air fryer, the best temperature to aim for is between 350-400°F (175-205°C). The wings will need to cook for around 25-30 minutes, depending on your air fryer model and how crispy you like your wings.

It is recommended to cook the wings in a single layer, and to shake the basket every 5 minutes to ensure they cook evenly. You can also increase the temperature for the last 4-5 minutes to get them extra crispy.

For Frozen Wings:

If you are cooking frozen wings, it is best to preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and cook for 40-55 minutes, or until they are cooked through and golden brown. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on your air fryer model, so be sure to check the wings regularly after they have cooked for 35 minutes.

Adding Sauce:

If you want to add a sauce to your wings, it is best to cook the wings first without the sauce and then toss them in the sauce after they are cooked. This will ensure that the wings remain crispy and don't become soggy.

There are many different sauce options to choose from, including buffalo sauce, blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, and keto-friendly options.

How to make keto chicken wings in an oven

Keto chicken wings are a delicious, low-carb meal that can be made in an air fryer or an oven. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to make keto chicken wings in an oven.

Ingredients:

First, gather your ingredients. You will need:

• Chicken wings (drumettes and/or wingettes)
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Your choice of keto-friendly sauce (optional)

Preparation:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F.
• Dry the chicken wings with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step is important as it helps the wings crisp up in the oven.
• Place the wings in a large bowl and add the oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss the wings until they are evenly coated.
• Line a baking tray with foil or parchment paper and place a cooling rack on top. Spray the rack with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
• Arrange the wings in a single layer on the rack, making sure they are not crowded.

Cooking:

• Bake the wings in the oven for 20-25 minutes.
• After the initial bake, remove the wings from the oven and flip them over.
• Increase the oven temperature to 425°F and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the wings are golden brown and crispy.
• Remove the wings from the oven and toss them with your favorite keto-friendly sauce, such as buffalo sauce, garlic parmesan sauce, or sugar-free teriyaki sauce.
• Serve the wings immediately while they are still crispy and enjoy!

Tips for extra crispiness:

• For even crispier wings, you can add a tablespoon of baking powder to the seasoning mixture. Baking powder helps absorb moisture and promotes crispier skin.
• Make sure the wings are not crowded in the baking tray and that air can circulate around them.
• You can also broil the wings for a few minutes at the end of the cooking process to enhance the crispiness.

How to reheat keto chicken wings

To reheat keto chicken wings in an air fryer, start by preheating your air fryer to 360°F (182°C). Spray the basket with cooking spray, or lightly brush with oil.

Next, prepare the wings by adding extra salt or pepper, if desired. Arrange the wings in a single layer in the basket, ensuring there is some space between each wing for even air circulation.

Reheat the wings for 5-6 minutes, then shake or flip them to ensure even cooking. Continue cooking for another 5-6 minutes. Keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking.

Check the internal temperature of the wings with a meat thermometer. They are ready when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

And that's it! Your keto chicken wings should now be hot, crispy, and ready to enjoy!

Frequently asked questions