Air Fryer Wings: Crispy Salt And Pepper Style

Salt and pepper wings are a delicious and easy snack that can be made in an air fryer in less than 30 minutes. The air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep frying, as it uses little to no oil, but still results in crispy wings. The secret to getting crispy wings is to dry the chicken thoroughly before coating it in the seasoning of your choice, which may include baking powder, salt, pepper, and sugar. The wings are then placed in a single layer in the air fryer and cooked for around 25 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.

Choosing the right wings

Size of the Wings

When it comes to size, smaller wings are preferable for this recipe. The smaller wings cook more evenly and result in juicy and tender meat. You can find these smaller wings at specialty grocery stores like Whole Foods Market. If you opt for larger wings, keep in mind that the cooking time will be different, and they may take longer to cook through.

Parts of the Wings

Chicken wings can be divided into two main parts: flats and drums. Flats are the smaller, flatter portion of the wing, while drums are the larger, meatier part. The choice between flats and drums is a matter of personal preference. If you're cooking for a group, it's a good idea to get a mix of both so everyone can enjoy their favourite part.

Freshness and Quality

Always opt for fresh, high-quality chicken wings. Look for wings with a pinkish colour and avoid any with discolouration or an off-putting odour. Check the "best before" date to ensure you're using the freshest wings possible. If you have access to a local butcher, they can be a great source of fresh and high-quality wings.

Preparation

Before cooking, it's crucial to clean and pat dry your wings thoroughly. This step helps the seasonings adhere better and promotes even cooking. You can use paper towels to gently blot the wings and ensure they are dry before proceeding with the recipe.

Quantity

When planning for a gathering or a game day party, it's a good idea to estimate the number of wings needed per person. As a general rule of thumb, plan for about 8 to 10 wings per person if they are served as an appetiser or part of a larger spread. If wings are the main event, you may want to allow for 12 to 15 wings per person to ensure everyone gets their fill.

Remember, choosing the right wings is essential to ensuring your salt and pepper wings turn out perfectly. With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious and crispy wings that will be the star of any gathering.

Preparing the seasoning

Start by patting the chicken wings dry with a paper towel. This step is crucial as it helps the seasoning stick to the wings and promotes even cooking. Once your wings are dry, you can move on to the next step, which is to coat them with your chosen seasoning.

Place your chicken wings in a medium-sized bowl and sprinkle the salt and pepper generously over them, ensuring each wing is evenly coated. You can also add other spices to the mix if you want to enhance the flavour. For example, a combination of 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp ground black pepper is a great option for a more complex flavour profile.

If you're using a wet rub or marinade, you'll need to let the wings sit for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavours to penetrate the meat. During this time, you can prepare any sides or sauces you want to serve with the wings.

Once the wings have been seasoned and rested, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in batches to ensure even cooking.

Drying the wings

Once the wings are dry, you can proceed to season them. In some recipes, the wings are seasoned with a mixture of salt, pepper, and baking powder. In others, the wings are marinated in a mixture of cooking wine, garlic, salt, pepper, fish sauce, and soy sauce before being coated in a dry batter mixture of potato starch, garlic salt, black pepper, and onion powder.

After seasoning or marinating, let the wings sit for about 20 minutes to allow the skin to dry out further. This step is essential in achieving the desired crispiness, as it helps to remove any remaining moisture from the skin.

If you are using an air fryer that requires preheating, this is a good time to do so. Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F for about 5 minutes.

By taking the time to properly dry and season the wings, you will be well on your way to creating delicious, crispy salt and pepper wings.

Coating the wings

Before coating, it is important to dry the chicken wings thoroughly with paper towels. This step helps to remove any excess moisture, ensuring that the coating adheres better to the wings.

Now, let's talk about the coating itself. The basic ingredients for salt and pepper wings are, as the name suggests, salt and pepper. However, you can also add other ingredients to enhance the flavour and crispiness of the coating. Some popular additions include:

• Baking powder: This ingredient is key to achieving super crispy wings. It helps to absorb moisture and gives the wings a crunchy texture.
• Sugar: A sprinkle of white sugar can help the skin caramelize, resulting in a better flavour and texture.
• Spices: You can experiment with spices like paprika and garlic powder to add extra flavour to your wings.
• Potato starch: Coating the wings in potato starch before cooking can also help to create a crispy texture.

Once you have gathered your ingredients, it's time to coat the wings:

• Combine your chosen dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and mix well.
• Place the chicken wings in the bowl and toss them with the coating mixture until they are completely coated on all sides. Make sure to use your hands or tongs to ensure an even coating.
• If you are using a wet coating, such as an egg white mixture, allow the wings to marinate for at least 20 minutes so that the flavour penetrates the meat.
• After coating, you can place the wings in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer with a bit of space between each one.

Remember, the key to successful coating is ensuring that the wings are completely dry before coating and that the coating is evenly distributed over the wings.

Cooking the wings

The key to getting your wings extra crispy is to dry them thoroughly with a paper towel before you start seasoning them. You can also pat them with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture, which will help the seasonings stick better.

Once your wings are dry, it's time to season them. You can either toss them in a mixture of baking powder, salt, and pepper, or coat them in a mixture of salt and pepper only. If you want to get creative, you can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder. Make sure to coat the wings evenly on all sides.

Some recipes suggest marinating the wings for 20 minutes or even overnight in a mixture of cooking wine, garlic, salt, pepper, fish sauce, and soy sauce. This step is optional but will add extra flavour to your wings.

After seasoning, it's time to preheat your air fryer. Most recipes recommend preheating to 380-400°F, with cooking times ranging from 15 to 30 minutes. However, it's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer and the size of your wings. For example, smaller wings may only need 8-10 minutes, while larger wings may take up to 33 minutes.

When placing the wings in the air fryer, make sure to leave some space between each one. You may need to cook them in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding. It's also recommended to flip the wings halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning.

To check if your wings are done, look for a golden brown colour and crispy texture. You can also use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 165°F for safe consumption.

Once your wings are cooked to perfection, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. They can be enjoyed as is or with your favourite dipping sauce.

Frequently asked questions