Air Fryer Trash Wings: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Trashed wings, also known as dirty wings, are chicken wings that are cooked not once, but twice. The wings are flash-fried, coated in sauce, and then fried again. This double fry method allows the sauce to caramelize onto the exterior of the wings, forming a crisp, flavourful shell around the juicy interior.

To make trashed wings in an air fryer, set your air fryer to 380°F, add the wings, and lightly spray with oil. Air fry for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove the wings, toss in buffalo sauce, and add them back to the basket. Air fry at 400°F for another 5-8 minutes, or until crisp.

Pat the chicken wings dry

The first step to making the crispiest, tastiest chicken wings in your air fryer is to pat the chicken wings dry. This is an important step to ensure your wings get nice and crispy. You should always pat your chicken wings dry before cooking them, whether you're frying, baking, grilling, or air-frying them.

How to Pat Chicken Wings Dry

• Place the chicken wings on a clean surface or a large plate.
• Use paper towels to thoroughly pat the chicken wings dry. Make sure to absorb as much moisture as possible from the surface of the wings.
• If you have time, you can place the patted dry wings on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and leave them uncovered in the refrigerator for a few hours or even overnight. This will help draw out any remaining moisture and ensure your wings are super dry.
• If you're short on time, you can skip the refrigeration step and proceed directly to the next steps of your recipe.

Tips for Patting Chicken Wings Dry

• Use absorbent paper towels to ensure you remove as much moisture as possible.
• Be gentle when patting the wings dry to avoid damaging the skin or meat.
• If your wings are frozen, be sure to defrost them completely before patting them dry.
• If you want to add a dry rub or seasoning to your wings, it's best to do so after patting them dry.

By taking the time to pat your chicken wings dry, you'll be well on your way to achieving the perfect crispy texture for your trashed wings. Now, you can move on to the next steps of your recipe, knowing that you've laid the foundation for delicious and crispy air-fried chicken wings.

Season the wings

Seasoning the wings is the most important step in the whole process. It ensures that your wings are tasty and flavourful. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to season your wings:

Firstly, place the defrosted wings into a bowl. Make sure that the wings are dry as this will help them get crispy.

Next, add a drizzle of olive oil to the wings and toss to coat. The oil will help the seasoning stick to the wings and ensure they are evenly coated.

Now it's time to add the seasoning. For a basic and delicious blend, add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to the wings. You can also add cayenne pepper for an extra kick or use your favourite seasoning blend. Toss the wings until they are completely coated in the seasoning.

If you want to save on washing up, you can place the wings and seasoning in a ziplock bag and swish them around until the wings are evenly coated.

Once your wings are seasoned, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook in batches to ensure they get crispy. Enjoy!

Air fry for 10 minutes

Now it's time to air fry the wings! Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring there is enough space between them for air to circulate freely. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and air fry the wings for 10 minutes.

This initial fry will cause the wings to look a little bland and grey, but don't worry! After 10 minutes, remove the air fryer basket and flip the wings over. Return the basket to the air fryer and air fry for another 8 to 12 minutes, or until the wings are crispy. The total time for this second fry will depend on the size of your wings, so keep an eye on them and adjust the time as needed.

The wings are done when the skin is golden brown and crispy. You may need to add a few extra minutes to ensure the skin reaches the desired level of crispiness. To check if the wings are cooked through, use a thermometer probe to ensure the internal temperature of the wings reaches at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Flip the wings

After the first fry in the air fryer, the wings will look a little bland and grey, but don't worry! Take the basket out of the air fryer and carefully flip each wing over. Make sure they are evenly spaced and not overcrowded, then place the basket back into the air fryer.

Air fry the wings for another 8-12 minutes at 400°F. The time may vary depending on the size of your wings, so adjust the time accordingly.

The wings are done when they are golden brown and crispy. You can use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached at least 165°F.

Air fry for 8-12 minutes

Now it's time to air fry your wings! Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is enough space between them for air to circulate. Set the temperature to 400°F and air fry for 10 minutes.

After the first 10 minutes, flip the wings and air fry for an additional 8-12 minutes at 400°F. The time may vary depending on the size of your wings, so adjust accordingly. The wings are done when the skin is golden brown and crispy.

If you want to ensure doneness, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the wings. They should reach a minimum of 165°F to be considered safe to eat.

Your wings are now ready to be served! Enjoy the crispy, juicy, and delicious treat!

Frequently asked questions