Air Fryer Chicken Wings: The Perfect Recipe

Chicken wings are a delicious snack, appetiser, or meal, and they're even better when they're crispy. The air fryer is the perfect appliance to make juicy, crispy chicken wings without the added calories of deep frying.

- Pat the wings dry with a paper towel before seasoning to remove any excess moisture and help them crisp up.

- Use a neutral oil like avocado, canola, or vegetable oil.

- Add baking powder to the seasoning to create a beautiful golden brown and crispy skin.

- Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring enough space between them for air to circulate freely.

- Increase the temperature of the air fryer during the last few minutes of cooking for extra crispy skin.

- Toss the wings in your favourite sauce, such as buffalo, ranch, BBQ, or blue cheese.

- Serve with sides like celery, carrots, or French fries.

Pat the chicken wings dry

To make the best chicken wings in an air fryer, it is important to pat the chicken wings dry before you start cooking. This is a crucial step in the cooking process as it helps to remove any excess moisture from the wings. By doing so, you will ensure that your chicken wings turn out extra crispy. Use paper towels to pat the chicken wings dry and ensure that they are as dry as possible before you begin the seasoning and cooking process. This step will ensure that the skin of the chicken wings puffs up and blisters during the air frying process, resulting in a beautiful, paper-thin, and crisp exterior.

Use a neutral oil like avocado, canola or vegetable oil

Use a Neutral Oil Like Avocado, Canola, or Vegetable Oil

When making chicken wings in an air fryer, it is important to use a neutral oil with a high smoke point. Avocado oil, canola oil, and vegetable oil are all great options. These oils will help to create a crispy exterior on the chicken wings without imparting too much flavour.

To use this method, start by patting the chicken wings dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial, as it will help the wings crisp up in the air fryer. Next, place the chicken wings in a bowl and add the neutral oil of your choice, along with the desired seasonings. Mix well to ensure that the wings are evenly coated.

Once the wings are prepared, it is time to cook them in the air fryer. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure that they are not overcrowded. Air fry the wings at 400°F for 10 minutes, then flip them over and air fry for an additional 8-12 minutes, or until they are crispy and golden brown.

Using a neutral oil like avocado, canola, or vegetable oil is a key step in creating delicious and crispy air fryer chicken wings. This method ensures that the wings are cooked evenly and have a beautiful golden exterior. So, go ahead and give it a try!

Use baking powder to make the wings extra crispy

Baking powder is the secret ingredient to making extra crispy chicken wings in the air fryer. The alkaline baking powder raises the skin's pH level, creating tiny air bubbles, and helping to form a crispy coating.

How to Make Crispy Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer

First, pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Then, in a bowl, season the chicken wings with salt, pepper, baking powder, and a neutral oil like avocado, canola, or vegetable oil. Mix until the wings are evenly coated.

Next, place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring adequate space between them for air to circulate freely. Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes.

After the first 10 minutes, flip the wings and air fry for another 8-12 minutes at 400°F, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. The cooking time may vary based on the size of the wings, so adjust accordingly.

Tips for Making Crispy Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer

• Ensure the wings are as dry as possible before seasoning.
• Use a thermometer probe to check that the internal temperature of the wings reaches at least 165°F to ensure doneness.
• If the skin isn't crispy enough, add a few more minutes to the cooking time.

Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket

When cooking chicken wings in an air fryer, it is important to not overcrowd the air fryer basket. This is because air fryers cook food by circulating air around the food, and if the wings are overlapping or stacked, the air won't be able to reach all parts of the wings. This will result in uneven cooking and prevent the wings from becoming crispy. It is recommended to cook the wings in batches if necessary, to ensure that they are cooked through and have a crispy texture.

Toss the wings every 3-5 minutes for even cooking

When cooking chicken wings in an air fryer, it is important to toss the wings every 3-5 minutes to ensure even cooking. This will help to ensure that the wings cook evenly and that the skin crisps up nicely.

To get the best results, it is also important to ensure that the wings are not overlapping in the air fryer. If they are overlapping, the air will not be able to circulate properly and the wings may end up soggy.

Additionally, it is recommended to increase the temperature of the air fryer during the last few minutes of cooking. This will help to ensure that the wings are extra crispy.

Frequently asked questions