Chicken wings are the only thing that can be endured as an appetizer or even as a main course, or even as an anytime hunger; it’s classy for a reason; they are made in simple ways yet have crispy and juicy insides.
Whether you are staying at home or watching the game, it kicks the taste buds harder every single time. They are the life of a party, or you can say it is a tradition that has been invented for our good times.
You can order up a bunch of them from your favorite wing spots, but if you want to “wow” your friends over your cooking, then you must make it my way with no mess.
Yes, you read that right, with no mess, because making it in my way would include an air fryer, and that’s a lifesaver; no mess, just quick cooking.
If you haven’t tried cooking in the air fryer, then it is undoubtedly a treat for you. The air-fried chicken wings take a fraction of the time without actually frying them.
Once you try this method, you will not go for another way to cook your scrumptious meals. Now without wasting time, let’s get into the recipe.
How to make delectable air-fried chicken wings?
The ingredients might sound a little dry but don’t worry, they’ll make taste finger-licking good, they’re perfect for baking, sauteing, and air-frying.
- Chicken wings
- Garlic powder
- Lemon pepper
- Baking powder (for the extra crisp)
- Olive oil
- BBQ Sauce
Follow the steps:
- Wash the chicken properly, then pat dry it.
- Spread oil on the chicken wings and then coat them with garlic powder, lemon pepper, and baking powder.
- You don’t have to marinate the wings, but if you wish to do so, then let them rest for 15–30 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 Fahrenheit or 190 Celsius.
- Place the wings in the fryer basket in a single layer, close the fryer and let the wings cook for 16 minutes, but toss each side after 5 minutes just so it cooks evenly.
- Increase the temperature to 400 Fahrenheit and let the wings cook for an extra 2 minutes if you want golden brown crispy wings.
- To check if it is cooked to perfection, put the digital thermometer deep inside it and the internal temperature should be around 160-165 Fahrenheit.
There you have the crispiest wings with almost no preparation time and a delicious hint of lemon pepper and garlic powder in every bite. You will surely make it more than once and will have a well-deserved appreciation too.
For extra creaminess and taste, serve it hot with ranch sauce and celery on the side or you can go with your homemade bbq sauce.
What is the nutritional value of chicken wings?
Chicken wings are delicious and gems, but so is your health, especially if you are a gym freak or a dietitian. Thus, here is a plus point of trying this recipe: you will cut off the fat because the air fryer only works with hot air, unlike a conventional oven or the deep frying process.
Following is the list of nutrients present in a serving of chicken wings:
| Nutritional value | Per serving |
| Calories | 302 |
| Proteins | 29g |
| Carbohydrates | 6.5g |
| Dietary fibers | 1.9g |
| Fat | 17.3g |
| Cholesterol | 91.6mg |
| Vitamin A | 6487.8IU |
| Vitamin C | 4.6mg |
| Folate | 16.1mg |
| Calcium | 45.1mg |
| Iron | 1.6mg |
| Magnesium | 36.3mg |
Chicken wings contribute about 70% of our daily diet of 2000 calories, but on the other hand, with all the essential vitamins in the wings, they have benefits for us too, like strong bones, better vision, and good heart health.
Air frying makes it better because, without oil, you will have low cholesterol and little to no fat.
Dos and Dont’s of Making chicken wings
There can be plenty of dos and don’ts when it comes to food, for chicken wings you can follow the ones below:
- Buy the bigger, meatier wings.
- Don’t overdo marinades, brines, and dry rubs.
- Temper the wings (if frozen, let them get to room temperature).
- After washing, dry it properly.
- Spread them in a single layer.
- Serve with the choice of sauces for better reviews.
- Check the internal temperature (should be around 160-165 Fahrenheit).
FAQS
How do you fry chicken wings in an air fryer?
Air frying chicken wings is quite easy. Add the seasoned wings to the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, cook them for 15-20 minutes at 375-380 Fahrenheit, and flip every chicken wing after 5 minutes for even cooking.
Increase the temperature to 400 Fahrenheit and let the wings cook for 2 more minutes for crispy skin.
What are the two types of chicken wings?
One is drums or drumettes, which are small chicken legs with a main single bone running through the middle, while the other type is flats or wingettes because they are flat and two bones run through the length of the wings.
Whatever, single or double bones, it all depends on the way you cook. In my opinion, the wingette is better because it’s easier to cook and eat.
Are air-fried chicken wings healthy?
Eating air-fried chicken wings is way healthier than you might think; they are rich in vitamins A, B6, and B12, which make the health of the heart and brain better with strong immunity. They are also packed with zinc, iron, calcium, and other essential vitamins needed for a good and healthy lifestyle.
Also, air-frying them will reduce the harm because it uses only high temperature and circulating hot air to cook the meal, unlike deep-frying.
What is the best flavor for chicken wings?
To make the most popular and upgraded taste of chicken wings, try to combine with these:
- Use Ranch as the dry powder to coat wings with; it has a little salty flavor to it.
- Sweet barbeque, the legit 5-star hotel taste.
- Standard buffalo sauce; popular but general taste.
- Lemon pepper and garlic powder.
- Parmesan garlic.
Do you use cornstarch or baking powder for the wings?
The secret to achieving a crispier chicken wing is in 3 things: a little cornstarch, a pinch of salt, and baking powder. Then air fry them as instructed above and I guarantee you’ll have crispy wings without any hassle.
Do air-fried wings have fewer calories?
Air-fried wings or any other meal cooked in the air fryer contains 70 to 80 percent fewer calories and a whole lot less fat, sometimes as little as 3 percent fat compared to deep-fried foods, which mostly have up to 24 percent of total fat; mind-blowing, isn’t it?
If you’re planning on cooking chicken wings in an air fryer you won’t be consuming a lot of calories, however, if you plan to deep fry them, boy oh boy, you might want to reconsider our decision.
Why won’t my wings get crispy?
If the chicken is still wet when seasoned, the chicken wings won’t crisp up, so make sure you dry the chicken properly with paper towels. The next step to make it crispier is to add corn starch and baking powder after patting it dry and letting it rest for 15–30 minutes.
Here’s how you can make the perfect chicken wings:
What side goes well with wings?
The list of best side dishes is long but never enough, some of them are:
- Salty french fries
- Greek yogurt caesar salad and garlic croutons
- Blue cheese coleslaw
- Spicy roasted cauliflower
- Stuffed baked potatoes
Do you oil the chicken before seasoning it?
Yes, you drizzle the oil on the chicken before seasoning, either with avocado oil, olive oil, or any oil you prefer.
This serves so many purposes; it prevents the chicken from sticking to the base while cooking and also helps release the fat-soluble flavor compounds in the seasoning for better taste. On the other hand, oil provides a protective layer for the seasonings to not get burnt while air-frying.
What Food Pairs Well With Wings?
Chicken wings are more than simply a snack!
Here are some ideas for transforming your air fryer wings into a tasty and satisfying meal:
- For a simple Asian-inspired midweek supper, serve with fried rice.
- Serve with air fryer asparagus for the ultimate low-carb meal!
- To make a hearty supper, serve with roasted potatoes and air-fried green beans.
How Do You Reheat Wings?
Wings may be quickly reheated in an air fryer, and there are numerous methods for reheating your dishes.
Put the wings in the air fryer. Reheat your wings for 5 minutes at 350°F, then increase the heat to 400°F and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until warm and crispy.
Summary:
- Air-fried chicken wings are the absolute win for the choosers, they are juicy, meaty, and healthy with the sauce of your choice.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 Fahrenheit or 190 Celsius and let the wings cook for 16 minutes, but toss each side after 5 minutes just so it cooks evenly.
- Make sure to pat dry the wings before seasoning them to get that delicious crispy outer layer.
- You can never go wrong with chicken wings. They serve the purpose of a happy and healthy lifestyle while contributing a large part to the daily calorie count.
- They are rich in vitamins A, B6, and B12, which make the health of the heart and brain better with strong immunity.
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