Air Fryer Old Bay Wings: A Spicy, Crispy Treat

Old Bay Wings are a delicious, easy-to-make, and quick recipe that can be cooked in an air fryer. The wings are seasoned with Old Bay, a seasoning blend founded in Baltimore, which includes celery salt, pepper, paprika, and warming spices. The recipe is simple: coat the wings in oil and Old Bay seasoning, and air fry for 20-25 minutes at 350-400°F, flipping halfway through. The result is a crispy and tasty wing, perfect as an appetizer or a game-day treat.

Choosing the right oil

When making Old Bay wings in an air fryer, you may want to use oil to give the wings a nice golden colour and to keep them moist. The amount of oil used in an air fryer is significantly less than what would be used for deep frying or sautéing in a skillet. You can brush the air fryer basket and the food with a little oil using a pastry brush, or spray it lightly using an oil sprayer.

When choosing an oil for your air fryer, it is important to consider the smoke point of the oil, which is the temperature at which the oil begins to break down and emit smoke. If the smoke point of the oil is lower than the temperature you are cooking at, it will start smoking and give off a burnt smell that can affect the taste of your food. Therefore, it is best to use oils with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, or light olive oil.

Some oils are neutral in flavour and will not change the taste of food. These include deodorized avocado oil, organic virgin sesame oil, and grapeseed oil. Other oils, such as extra virgin olive oil and organic cooking sunflower oil, have a stronger taste and can enhance the flavour of milder foods.

It is also important to note that certain oils, such as butter or delicate cold-pressed oils, are not suitable for air frying as they are likely to burn and smoke.

How to season the wings

The key to achieving the perfect Old Bay wings is in the seasoning. Old Bay seasoning is a blend of celery salt, paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, ginger, and a variety of other spices. It is important to ensure that the wings are evenly coated with the seasoning. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to season your wings:

Step 1: Prepare the Wings

Start by placing your thawed chicken wings in a large mixing bowl. You can use the whole wing, just the drumsticks, or wingettes, depending on your preference. It is important to ensure that the wings are dry before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Prepare the Seasoning

In a separate small bowl, mix together your chosen spices. The basic seasoning blend for Old Bay wings includes Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, dried parsley, and baking powder. You can also add additional spices such as granulated garlic, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, oregano, and cayenne pepper to enhance the flavour.

Step 3: Combine the Wings and Seasoning

Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the wings and toss until the wings are evenly coated. Make sure to get a good coating of the seasoning on each wing. You can use your hands or a large spoon to mix the wings and seasoning together.

Step 4: Add Oil

Once the wings are seasoned, you can add a light drizzle or spritz of olive oil to the wings. This will help to ensure that the wings get nice and crispy in the air fryer.

Step 5: Finish with Extra Seasoning (Optional)

Once the wings are cooked, you can finish them with an extra sprinkle of Old Bay seasoning. This will add an extra punch of flavour and give the wings a nice, even coating.

Tips for Seasoning:

• Premixing your spices will help them to spread more evenly over the wings.
• Make sure to coat the wings evenly with the spice mix, and use most of the mixture for maximum crispness.
• You can also try marinating the wings in the seasoning overnight for extra flavour.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the wings in batches if needed to ensure even cooking and crispness.
• Shake or flip the wings during cooking to allow them to brown evenly on both sides.
• If you like your wings on the crispier side, you can cook them for a few extra minutes.

With these steps and tips, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious, flavourful, and crispy Old Bay wings!

Air fryer settings

To make Old Bay wings in an air fryer, you will need to preheat your air fryer to a high temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating to 400°F, but some suggest 380°F or 350°F. You should preheat your air fryer for around 5 minutes.

If your air fryer does not have a preheat setting, you can simply turn it on and let it heat up for a few minutes.

Once your air fryer is preheated, you can add the wings. It is important to ensure the wings are in a single layer and not overcrowded. You may need to cook the wings in batches.

Cooking times vary depending on the desired level of crispness and the size of the wings. For 20 to 25 minutes, you will get a good level of crispness. For extra-large wings, you may want to add an additional 3 to 5 minutes. If you like your wings well done and crispy, you can cook them for 12 minutes on each side.

Halfway through the cooking time, you should flip the wings. This will allow them to cook evenly on both sides.

If you are making multiple batches, you can keep the cooked wings warm in the oven at 250°F.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking temperature for Old Bay wings in an air fryer varies depending on the recipe. Some recipes suggest setting the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, while others recommend 380 or 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

The cooking time for Old Bay wings in an air fryer depends on the desired level of crispness and whether the wings are thawed or frozen. Most recipes suggest cooking the wings for around 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through. However, one recipe recommends cooking the wings for 10 minutes, shaking the basket, and then cooking for an additional 8 minutes. After flipping the wings, this recipe suggests cooking for an additional 5-6 minutes.

It's important to note that air fryers can vary, so it's always a good idea to check the wings for doneness and adjust the cooking time as needed. Additionally, if you're making a double batch of wings, it's recommended to preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and place the cooked wings on a baking sheet to keep them warm while you cook the rest.

Dipping sauces

There are several dipping sauces that you can serve alongside your Old Bay Wings. Here are some ideas:

Ranch Dressing

A cool, herby ranch dressing is a great contrast to the spicy, crispy wings. You can buy this ready-made or make your own by combining buttermilk, mayonnaise, and a mix of fresh herbs such as chives, parsley, and dill.

Whipped Feta Dip

A creamy, tangy feta dip is another delicious option. To make this, simply blend feta cheese, Greek yogurt, olive oil, and lemon juice until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Buffalo Sauce

For those who like it hot, a spicy Buffalo sauce is a great choice. This can be made by combining butter, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.

Honey Old Bay Dipping Sauce

For a sweeter option, you can make a honey Old Bay dipping sauce. This is made by stirring together mayonnaise, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon juice.

Blue Cheese Dip

A classic blue cheese dip is always a good choice for wings. To make this, simply mix crumbled blue cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Frequently asked questions