Air Fryer Chicken Wings are a healthier way to prepare wings without deep frying or long cook time. Crisp on the outside and so tender.
Which is great about air fryer chicken wings? Wings are one of those fried foods that is hard to make in the oven. So if you’re looking for a healthier way to eat chicken wings, the air fryer method is your best bet. That’s because the speed and temperature of the air circulating in the air fryer create very crisp skin that you can’t get in an oven.
I never cooked chicken wings until I saw my son devour them at a restaurant once. Then I figured I should find a way to make them homemade and, albeit, healthier. I love the air fryer method of making chicken wings. They come out perfectly crisp on the outside while juicy and tender on the inside. And there’s no breading necessary, so the recipe is low carb and gluten-free.
I made the chicken wings today! I made them exactly as your recipe stated, except I used smoked paprika instead of regular. The timing of cooking the chicken wings were perfect! Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. Fell off from the bone. I warmed up some sugar free bbq sauce and added Sriracha, and coated the wings with the warmed sauce once the wings were done. They were the best chicken wings my husband and I have ever had!! We both agree the wings were a ton better than BW3, and this is coming from BW3 wing connoisseurs. My husband said he didn’t want dinner to end. Thank you so so much for the recipe!! – Tkegs.
Breaded chicken wings are a beloved appetizer that combine the savory flavors of crispy breading and juicy chicken. Though they may seem indulgent breaded wings are surprisingly easy to make at home, using only basic ingredients and simple techniques. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through each step of preparing tender flavorful breaded chicken wings.
Ingredients Needed
Here are the main ingredients you’ll need to make breaded chicken wings:
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Chicken wings – Cut into drumettes and wingettes. You’ll need about 1-1 1/2 pounds of chicken wings per 3-4 servings.
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Flour – All-purpose flour acts as the base for the breading. You’ll need about 1-2 cups.
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Breadcrumbs – Use fresh or store-bought plain breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs also work well. About 1-2 cups.
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Eggs – For the egg wash that helps the breading adhere. 2-3 large eggs should suffice.
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Milk – Adds moisture and flavor. Use about 1-2 cups of milk.
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Oil – For frying the wings, A neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil works best,
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Seasonings – Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika for flavor.
Prep the Wings
Start by preparing the chicken wings:
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Rinse the wings and pat them completely dry with paper towels.
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Cut the wings at the joints into drumettes and wingettes if they aren’t already separated.
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Discard the wing tips or save them for making stock.
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Place the wings in a large bowl and season all over with salt, pepper, and any other spices you want.
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Let the seasoned wings sit for 15-30 minutes so the flavors penetrate while you prep the breading.
Make the Breading
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In one shallow bowl, whisk together the flour and seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
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In a second shallow bowl, beat the eggs together with a splash of milk or water.
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Place the breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
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Putting the bowls of seasoned flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs in the right order will help you work quickly.
Bread and Fry the Wings
Now it’s time to bread and fry the wings:
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Cover all sides of each wing with the flour mixture as you go. Shake off any excess.
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Dip the floured wing in the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off.
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Finally, place the wing in the breadcrumbs, pressing to evenly coat on all sides.
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Set the breaded wings on a baking sheet or plate. Repeat with remaining wings.
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Pour oil to a depth of 1-2 inches in a heavy pan and heat to 350°F.
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Fry wings in batches for 8 to 12 minutes, flipping once, until they are golden brown and fully cooked.
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Drain fried wings on a paper towel-lined plate before serving.
Bake Instead of Fry
For a healthier baked version:
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Place breaded wings on a greased baking sheet.
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Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes per side, until crispy and cooked through.
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Flip wings halfway through baking.
Serving Suggestions
Crispy breaded wings pair wonderfully with:
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Classic buffalo wing sauce or other flavored wing sauces
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Quick homemade ranch or blue cheese dip
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Celery and carrot sticks
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French fries or tater tots
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Coleslaw or broccoli salad
With this easy step-by-step guide, you can now fry up the ultimate appetizer – crunchy, juicy breaded chicken wings. Have fun playing around with different breading flavors and sauces for your wings!
Ingredients you will need
- Non-stick cooking spray: To spray the air fryer basket
- Chicken wings: Split into flats and drummettes. Use free run or organic if you can.
- Marinade: Olive oil, paprika, garlic powder salt and pepper.
- To serve: Chopped parsley and ranch dressing.
Tips for making this recipe
- Pat dry the chicken wings dry before marinating them. This will help them get nice and crispy by getting rid of any extra water.
- Place the chicken wings so that they stand up straight along the sides of the air fryer. This is a good way to get them into the air fryer basket if you need to. It won’t change how they’re cooked, and you can add more at once.
- When the chicken wings are almost done cooking, make sure to raise the temperature. For ease of use, keep them all at the same temperature, but I found that this tip makes them crispier.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. You can easily double this recipe for fried chicken wings, but the wings might need to be cooked in two batches so they don’t touch in the basket.
Yes, you can, but it will take longer and the results may vary. To bake the chicken wings, put them in the oven at 425˺F and flip them over once or twice during the cooking time.
These wings are best enjoyed as soon as they are cooked. If you have any leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. You can reheat cooked chicken wings in an air fryer at 360°F for 4 minutes or in the microwave until heated through. Only reheat the chicken wings once and enjoy them in one sitting.
You can freeze the fried chicken wings recipe. Let them cool to room temperature and freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer safe container. Thaw the wings in the fridge overnight before reheating in the air fryer or oven.
From start to finish, these chicken wings are ready to serve in less than 25 minutes. It only takes 16 to 18 minutes to cook them at 380F, and they are ready in no time.
I’m glad we can enjoy chicken wings without having to deep fry them! These baked wings are crispy, tender, and juicy without taking too long to make.
Breaded Chicken Wings | Deep Fried Chicken Wings
FAQ
How do you get breading to stick to chicken wings?
After you’ve covered the meat in breading, pat it down gently on all sides so that every piece sticks to the egg layer. Well-coated chicken is the key to crunchy cutlets, so make sure the breading is patted down before cooking. Sep 19, 2024.
How to make breadcrumb chicken wings?
DirectionsPreheat oven to 425°. Cut chicken wings into three sections; discard wing tips. In a shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs, onion powder, basil, garlic salt and paprika. Place in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake until juices run clear, 30-35 minutes, turning once.
What is the secret ingredient to crispy wings?
Cornstarch Is the Key to Crispy Wings The key to crispier grilled chicken wings lies in cornstarch. Cornstarch is often used in combination with flour in fried chicken recipes to create a crispier coating, so I decided to see if cornstarch would help chicken wings crisp up on the grill as well.
How do you make breading for chicken?
Flour Dip each chicken piece first in the egg mixture and then in the panko, making sure to cover the whole thing.
Can You bake breaded chicken wings?
Bread chicken wings with an easy, homemade shake-and-bake style coating. You don’t have to use an egg wash or deep fry these because they are already baked. Scroll down to read more about how it all comes together or click here to jump straight down to the recipe. Why Should I Bake Breaded Wings? What Do I Bread Chicken Wings With?.
How do you make chicken wings with bread crumbs?
In a large bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, onion powder, garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and cayenne, if using. Add the oil and stir well until it is thoroughly mixed and looks like wet sand. Put 3-4 wings into the bowl. Spoon some bread crumb mixture over them and press down to help bread crumbs adhere to the wings.
How do you make fried chicken wing breading?
You tehrefore should make an extra half batch of breading. Similarly, make extra if your wings are particularly large. In a large bowl, make your breading mixture by combining the plain bread crumbs, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and cayenne. Add the oil and stir well until it’s thoroughly mixed and looks like wet sand.
Do breaded chicken wings need a deep fryer?
Breaded chicken wings are simple and delicious—and you don’t need a deep-fryer to pull them off. These tasty wings crisp up to golden-brown perfection after just 30 minutes in the oven. Breaded chicken wings are a standard in diners, sports bars, restaurants and homes around the world.
How do you make oven fried chicken wings crispy?
To make your wings extra crispy, add 1 teaspoon baking powder to the crumb mixture. We use this secret ingredient to make crispy oven-fried chicken wings because it pulls the moisture out of the chicken skin, helping them brown and crisp up more effectively. Another way to make crispy oven-baked wings is with an oven-safe cooling rack.
How do you make a chicken wing sandwich?
In a shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs, onion powder, basil, garlic salt and paprika. In another shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Dip the wing pieces in the egg mixture. Then coat them in the bread crumb mixture. Place the breaded chicken in a greased 15x10x1-inch baking pan.