Air-Fried Wings: Emeril's Way

Chicken wings are a classic comfort food, and with an air fryer

Pat the chicken wings dry

To make wings in the Emeril Air Fryer, the first step is to pat the chicken wings dry. This is an important step as it helps to ensure that the wings will be crispy when cooked. It also helps the seasoning or dry rub coating to stick to the wings.

To pat the chicken wings dry, use a paper towel or clean kitchen cloth. Gently press or blot the wings to absorb any excess moisture. Make sure to pat all sides of the wings, including the crevices and joints. It is important to be thorough and remove as much moisture as possible.

When patting the wings dry, be gentle to avoid breaking or tearing the skin. If the skin tears, the juices may leak out during cooking, affecting the texture and crispiness of the wings. It can also cause the wings to stick to the air fryer basket or tray.

After patting the wings dry, it is essential to move on to the next step of preparing the seasoning or dry rub coating. This step should be done immediately after patting the wings dry to prevent the chicken from becoming soggy or developing bacteria.

Prepare a dry rub coating

Preparing a dry rub coating for your chicken wings is a simple process. First, pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel. This will help the dry rub stick to the chicken. Next, prepare your dry rub. A dry rub is a mixture of herbs and spices that is used to flavour meat. For chicken wings, you might want to use a mixture of lemon pepper, kosher salt, dried crushed parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and poultry seasoning. You can also add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for an extra kick.

Once you have prepared your dry rub, you will need to dredge the chicken wings in it. This means coating the chicken wings in the dry rub. You can do this by placing the dry rub in a shallow dish and rolling the chicken wings in it, or by using your hands to pat the dry rub onto the chicken wings. Make sure that the chicken wings are evenly coated in the dry rub.

If you are using an air fryer to cook your chicken wings, you will need to place the drip tray at the bottom of the air fryer and line the crisper tray with aluminium foil for easier cleanup. Lightly spray the coated chicken wings on both sides with a non-stick cooking spray, being careful not to remove the dry rub coating. Place the chicken wings in the crisper basket and air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 to 40 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking time.

If you prefer to bake your chicken wings, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the chicken wings on a greased baking sheet for 40 to 50 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. You can also grill your chicken wings. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and grill the chicken wings for 10 to 12 minutes per side, or until they are cooked through and slightly charred.

Air fryer temperature and time

The temperature and time you should set your Emeril air fryer to will depend on the type of wings you are cooking and your personal preference for crispiness.

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings

For crispy wings, you should preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Then, cook the wings for 15 minutes, flip them, and cook for another 5 minutes. You can also cook them for 12 minutes, flip them, and then cook for an additional 8 minutes.

Air-Fryer Chicken Wings

To make air-fried chicken wings, preheat your air fryer to 300°F. Then, cook the wings in batches for 15 minutes. Increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for another 20-25 minutes, or until the juices run clear.

Air Fried Hot Wings

For air-fried hot wings, preheat your air fryer to 400°F and cook the wings for 22 minutes, turning them once midway to promote even browning.

Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Wings

For Old Bay chicken wings, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Then, fry the wings for 10 minutes, shake the basket, and fry for another 8 minutes. Flip the wings and fry for an additional 5-6 minutes, or until the juices run clear.

Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Lemon Parmesan Butter Sauce

For chicken wings with a lemon parmesan butter sauce, preheat your air fryer to 400°F and cook the wings for 35-40 minutes, turning them halfway through.

Other Tips

• If you are cooking frozen chicken wings, you should preheat your air fryer to 400°F and cook the wings for 10-15 minutes.
• You can also cook chicken wings at a lower temperature of 250°F for 15 minutes, and then increase the temperature to 430°F to crisp them up.
• If you are cooking chicken drumsticks, you can cook them at 400°F for 20 minutes.
• For extra crispy wings, you can preheat your air fryer to 360°F and cook the wings for 10-13 minutes.

Make a sauce

There are several sauce options you can make to accompany your wings. Here are some ideas:

Lemon Parmesan Butter Sauce

This sauce is a great option if you're looking for something creamy and tangy. To make it, simply melt some butter and then add grated Parmesan cheese, grated pecorino Romano, lemon pepper, and dried crushed parsley. Mix everything together until well combined. You can adjust the quantities of each ingredient to suit your taste preferences.

Hot Wing Sauce

For a classic hot wing sauce, combine

Dip the wings in the sauce

To make wings in the Emeril Air Fryer, you'll want to start by coating the chicken wings in a dry rub or flour mixture. This will give them a crispy texture and a delicious flavour. Once you've prepared your wings, it's time to dip them in the sauce. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the perfect sauce-coated wings:

Prepare the Sauce

Before you start cooking the chicken, it's a good idea to prepare the sauce so that it's ready when your wings are cooked. In a medium saucepan, combine your chosen hot sauce, vinegar, and sugar. Bring this mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking until the sauce is slightly reduced. This should take around 6 to 10 minutes. Transfer the reduced sauce to a blender, and slowly add in butter while blending until you have a smooth sauce. Set the sauce aside while you cook the chicken.

Cook the Chicken Wings

Pat the chicken wings dry and place them in a large bowl. Sprinkle the wings with your chosen seasonings, such as garlic, salt, and pepper, and toss to ensure they are evenly coated. Place the seasoned wings in the basket of the Emeril Air Fryer. Set the temperature to 400°F and cook for about 22 minutes, turning the wings once midway through to promote even browning. The wings are ready when they are golden brown and crispy, and a thermometer registers at least 165°F.

Now for the saucy part! When the wings are cooked, transfer them to a bowl. Spoon your prepared sauce over the hot wings, and toss to coat them evenly. You can also dip each wing individually into the sauce for a more thorough coating. The amount of sauce you use will depend on your preference and the number of wings you are preparing. A general guideline is to use about 1/2 cup of sauce for every 2 to 2.5 pounds of chicken wings.

Serve the Wings

Once the wings are coated in sauce, it's time to serve them. These wings are best served hot, so don't let them cool down too much before digging in! You can also serve the remaining sauce on the side for extra saucy goodness. Enjoy the fruits of your labour, and don't forget to share with your friends and family!

Frequently asked questions