Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
This recipe focuses on achieving that perfect crispy skin while keeping the chicken juicy.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs chicken wings (drumettes and flats separated)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder (aluminium-free-free is preferred)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Optional: Other spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, or your favourite seasoning blend.
- Optional: 1 tablespoon neutral oil (like avocado or canola oil)
- Optional: Your favorite wing sauce (Buffalo, BBQ, honey garlic, etc.)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Wings:
- Pat the chicken wings thoroughly dry with paper towels. This is crucial for crispy skin.
- If you have whole wings and want to separate them, cut them at the joints into drumettes and flats.
- Season the Wings:
- In a large bowl, combine the baking powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and any other spices you're using.
- Add the chicken wings to the bowl and toss them until they are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
- optional: drizzle the oil over the wings, and toss to coat.
- Air Fry the Wings:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) if your air fryer requires it.
- Arrange the chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding, as this will prevent them from crisping properly. You may need to cook in batches.
- Air fry for 10 minutes.
- Flip the wings and continue to air fry for another 10-15 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Sauce (Optional):
- If you want to sauce your wings, place them in a clean bowl and toss them with your favourite wing sauce.
- return the sauced wings to the air fryer for 1 to 2 minutes to allow the sauce to tack up.
- Serve:
- Serve the crispy air fryer chicken wings immediately.
Tips for Success:
- Dryness is Key: The most important tip for crispy wings is to ensure the chicken is very dry before cooking.
- Baking Powder: Using aluminium-free baking powder helps to create that crispy skin.
- Don't Overcrowd: Air needs to circulate around the wings for them to crisp. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Check the Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Experiment with Seasoning: Feel free to experiment with different spices and seasonings to create your own unique flavour combinations.
- Sauce timing: If you are using a sauce, adding it after the wings have crisped, will keep the skin crispier.
Important Notes:
- Air fryer cooking times may vary depending on the specific model and the size of the chicken wings.
- Always use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked.
Enjoy your crispy air fryer chicken wings!