Are you in the mood to try something different this year with your Thanksgiving turkey? Why not try deep frying it this year? Some say a fried turkey is the juiciest, most flavorful, crispy-on-the-outside, delicious bit of poultry ever to cross their lips. This project is packed with thermal critical control points that will determine the safety of the cook and the quality of the finished product—and we have all the tips you need.
We’ll be using the ThermoWorks® Smoke X2™ 2-Channel Alarm Thermometer with an additional 12″ Pro-Series® High Temp Probe so we can measure both the turkey meat and the critical oil temperature on the same device.
Crispy deep-fried turkey wings are a delicious appetizer or main dish. When seasoned and cooked properly, they come out juicy on the inside with an incredibly crispy exterior. But exactly how long should you deep fry turkey wings to achieve perfection?
Overview of Fry Times
For boneless turkey wings, the approximate deep frying time is:
- 10-12 minutes at 350°F oil temperature
For bone-in turkey wings. allow
- 13-15 minutes at 350°F oil temperature
Turkey drumsticks take a few minutes longer than turkey wings. Always monitor oil temp and internal doneness.
Factors That Affect Cook Time
Several factors impact how long turkey wings need to fry
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Bone-in vs boneless – Boneless fry quicker
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Size of wings – Larger wings take longer
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Amount being fried – Don’t overcrowd the pot
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Oil temperature – Higher heat = faster cooking
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Pre-frying drying time – Pat wings very dry before frying
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Brined or unbrined – Brining adds moisture and flavor
Step-by-Step Frying Method
Follow these steps for perfectly fried turkey wings:
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Choose wings and pat extremely dry with paper towels
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Make buttermilk brine and soak wings 8-12 hours
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Drain and rinse wings then pat very dry again
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Season wings with spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika
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Coat thoroughly in seasoned flour mixture
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Heat oil to 350°F in deep fryer or Dutch oven
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Fry wings in batches 10-15 minutes until 165°F internally
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Drain on paper towel lined baking sheet
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Toss hot wings in sauce (optional)
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Serve wings immediately while hot and crispy
How to Tell When They’re Done
The best way to test doneness of fried turkey wings is to use an instant-read thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the meat without touching bone. Turkey should reach 165°F internally when fully cooked.
The coating will be crispy golden brown. The meat inside will be fork tender and start separating from the bone when fully cooked.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
It’s easy to mess up perfectly fried turkey wings. Here are some pitfalls to avoid:
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Undercooking – Always fry to 165°F internal temperature
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Overcrowding – Fry in batches to maintain oil temp
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Too much flour – Don’t coat too thickly
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Old oil – Use fresh high-quality frying oil each time
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Uneven frying – Turn wings while cooking for even browning
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Improper thawing – Ensure wings are fully thawed before frying
Tips for Crispy, Juicy Wings
Follow these tips for mouthwateringly crispy fried turkey wings:
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Brine the wings in buttermilk overnight
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Pat wings extremely dry after brining and before frying
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Fry in small batches to maintain oil temperature
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Use a thermometer – fry until 165°F internally
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Allow cooked wings to drain on a baking sheet
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Toss hot wings in your favorite sauce (optional)
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Serve wings immediately for optimal crispness
Purchasing Wings for Frying
When buying wings to fry, look for:
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Fresh, not frozen – Thaw fully before frying
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Evenly sized – For consistent cooking
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Good amount of meat – Avoid scrawny wings
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Separated into drums & flats – For easier frying
Safely Frying Turkey Wings
Take these precautions for safe deep frying:
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Use a deep fryer or Dutch oven – Have at least 4 inches oil
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Place pot on flat surface away from walls/cabinets
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Monitor oil temperature continuously
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Use long cooking tongs & oil thermometer
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Don’t overfill pot with oil – Leave space at top
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Wear long sleeves and closed toe shoes
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Keep children & pets away from hot oil
Crispy deep fried turkey wings make a fabulous appetizer or main dish! With the right technique, you’ll have rave-worthy wings every time. Now you know exactly how long to deep fry for the best results.
Why fry a turkey?
Deep frying your holiday bird will take less time than roasting does. Most turkeys take about 3 minutes per pound to fry. For example, a 14-pound turkey will take about 42 minutes to cook. While your turkey is cooking outside, the oven will be available for baking rolls, pies, and side dishes.
Frying a whole turkey in hot oil can be dangerous, and caution must be observed. Thousands of fires and injuries occur every year due to turkey fryer fires. Hot oil is highly combustible, and the pot of hot oil will be sitting directly over an open flame. Follow these important tips to ensure the safety of your cook.
- Keep a dry-powder, multipurpose fire extinguisher handy at all times. Never use water to put out a grease fire, it will cause the hot oil to spatter, thereby spreading the fire rapidly.
- Take it outside. Set up the turkey fryer more than 10 feet away from your home, covered patio, roof overhangs, and any other building.
- Set up the burner on stable ground, concrete, or asphalt. Not a wood deck.
- Keep fryer away from children and pets.
- Never leave the setup unattended. Stay within a 10-foot perimeter of the hot oil at all times.
- Don’t drink and fry. The process requires full, focused attention.
- Use a thermometer. Temperature control is crucial. Do not allow the oil to exceed 350°F (177°C).
- Thaw turkey completely. The dramatic temperature difference between a frozen turkey and the hot oil will cause furious bubbling and spillage. If oil spills over the pot it can start a fire, cause an explosion, and result in injury and property damage.
- Pat the turkey completely dry with paper towels. Water on the surface will splatter when lowering the turkey. Splatters cause grease fires.
- Turn off the gas completely when filling the pot with oil, lowering the turkey into the hot oil, lifting the turkey out of the oil, or when removing the pot full of oil from the burner.
- Wear an apron or chef jacket, safety goggles, and use heavy duty elbow-length gloves.
Start the Oil Temperature Low
Turkey frying becomes dangerous if the oil spills over the side of the pot, and that happens when there is too much oil in the pot, or if it bubbles too violently. If you’ve used water displacement to accurately measure the amount of oil needed, that safety variable is taken out of the equation.
So what causes bubbling? 3 things: 1) a bird that’s too cold (be sure to thaw it completely), 2) water (pat the bird completely dry), and 3) oil temperature that’s too high when lowering the turkey into the pot. Start with oil heated to 250°F (121°C), slowly lower the bird, then increase the oil temperature to 325-350°F (163-177°C)—do not exceed 350°F (177°C).
CAJUN FRIED TURKEY WINGS RECIPE! | HOW TO FRY TURKEY WINGS
FAQ
How long does it take to deep fry wings?
- Heat oil to 375°F in a deep fryer or large saucepan
- Fry the wings in small batches until golden brown
- Remove from oil and drain on paper towels
- Repeat until all wings are cooked
Do you deep fry a turkey at 325 or 350?
keep your oil temperature to between 325-350; 2. turkeys 12 lbs and under 2-1/2 minutes per pound, and 12 lbs and over 3 minutes per pound; 3. if your turkey is floating it is overcooked.
Is it better to fry wings at 350 or 375?
Fried wings tips and temps
The temperature needs to be lower to allow the meat to cook without overcooking the skin. 350°F (177°C) is the perfect temperature.
How to deep fry Turkey wings?
Second, you need to make sure that the oil is hot enough before you add the food. The ideal temperature for deep frying is between 350 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the oil is hot, you can add the turkey wings. Be careful not to overcrowd the pot, as this will lower the temperature of the oil and result in soggy wings.
How long do you fry Turkey wings?
Place the turkey wings in the hot oil and fry for 14 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Remove from oil and set on paper towels to drain, then serve. Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!
What temperature do you fry Turkey wings?
The ideal temperature for frying turkey wings is 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that the wings are cooked through without becoming overcooked and dry. The amount of time it takes to fry turkey wings will vary depending on their size and thickness. Smaller wings will cook faster than larger wings.
What is the best oil for deep frying turkey wings?
The best oil for deep frying is a vegetable oil with a high smoke point, such as canola oil or peanut oil. Second, you need to make sure that the oil is hot enough before you add the food. The ideal temperature for deep frying is between 350 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the oil is hot, you can add the turkey wings.
How do you reheat deep fried turkey wings?
To reheat deep fried turkey wings, you can either bake them in the oven or microwave them. * To bake the wings, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the wings on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until they are heated through.
How do you cook chicken wings in a frying pan?
In a large bowl add the all purpose flour, 1 tbsp poultry seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground black pepper, and seasoning salt. Sift ingredients. Heat the oil until it reaches approximately 360 F, then slowly drop the wings into the oil. Fry the wings until golden brown and completely cooked.