How Long to Deep Fry Chicken Wings at 350 Degrees Fahrenheit

Chicken wings are a beloved appetizer or snack. When cooked correctly, they come out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Deep frying is one of the most popular cooking methods for wings, as it helps achieve that perfect crispy exterior. Many recipes call for frying chicken wings at 350°F. But how long exactly should you fry wings at this temperature?

The answer depends on a few factors

Wing Section Size

The drumette, the flat/middle part, and the wing tip are the three main parts of a chicken wing.

• Drumettes are the meatiest section. They take the longest to cook, around 8-12 minutes.

• Flats or the middle wing section have a bit less meat. They take 6-10 minutes to fry.

• Wing tips are mostly skin and bones. They cook the fastest in just 4-8 minutes.

So if frying a mix of wing sections, you’ll want to fry the drumettes for the longest and add the wing tips towards the end.

Amount of Wings

The more wings you are cooking, the longer they will take to fry. The wings act as heat sinks, absorbing heat from the oil and lowering the temperature.

• For 1-2 pounds of wings, plan on frying for around 8-12 minutes.

• For 3-5 pounds of wings, extend the frying time to 14-18 minutes.

Make sure not to overload the fryer, as crowding the wings will also increase cook time. Fry in batches for best results.

Temperature of the Oil

Frying at the proper oil temperature is key for achieving crispy wings with an interior that is fully cooked but still moist.

• 350°F is the most common frying temperature for wings. It allows the exterior to get crispy and brown without burning.

• Higher temperatures, like 375°F, will cut down on the fry time, but the outside might brown too quickly while the inside stays underdone.

• Lower temperatures like 325°F will require a longer fry time. The wings may end up greasy instead of crispy.

Make sure to monitor the oil temperature with a deep fry or candy thermometer. Adjust the heat to maintain 350°F.

Thickness of Batter or Coating

Wings with a thick batter or breading will take longer to fry than wings that are just skin.

• Plain wings or wings tossed in a dry seasoning rub require less frying time.

• Wings with a light flour dusting add only a minute or two more.

• Thicker batter coated wings like sweet chili or Nashville hot will need a couple extra minutes to cook through the coating.

Internal Temperature

The safest way to ensure chicken wings are fully cooked is to fry until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Use an instant read thermometer to check wings after frying.

For boneless wings, pierce the thickest portion. With bone-in wings, slide the probe into the meatiest area of the drumette or flat avoiding the bones.

Summary of Fry Times

As a general guideline, here are the approximate frying times for chicken wings at 350°F:

• Plain or seasoned wings: 8-12 minutes
• Lightly floured wings: 10-14 minutes
• Battered wings: 12-16 minutes
• 1-2 pounds of wings: 8-12 minutes
• 3-5 pounds of wings: 14-18 minutes

Always verify wings have reached 165°F internally before removing from oil. Adjust fry times up or down as needed if wings are cooking slower or faster.

The key is monitoring wings closely as they fry. Peek in the fryer and check a few wings at the halfway point. For larger batches you may want to remove some pieces earlier while others continue cooking.

With the right timing, you’ll be rewarded with perfectly cooked crunchy, crispy deep fried chicken wings straight from the fryer!

Tips for Deep Frying Chicken Wings

Follow these tips for crispy, juicy deep fried wings every time:

1. Dry Wings Thoroughly

Pat wings very dry before frying. Any excess moisture can cause splattering once the wings hit the hot oil.

2. Fry in Small Batches

Avoid crowding the fryer. Fry wings in manageable batches for even cooking.

3. Preheat Oil to 350°F

Use a thermometer to bring the oil up to temperature before adding wings.

4. Fry Until Golden Brown

Fry wings for the recommended time until deeply golden brown and crispy looking.

5. Drain on Wire Rack

Drain fried wings on a wire rack over a baking sheet to allow excess oil to drip off.

6. Check Internal Temperature

Double check the internal temperature of wings reaches 165°F.

7. Toss in Sauce (Optional)

Toss crispy fried wings in your favorite sauce if desired. Serve immediately.

8. Allow Oil to Reheat Between Batches

Make sure oil comes fully back up to temperature before frying another batch.

Best Oil for Frying Chicken Wings

The type of oil used for frying also impacts results:

• Peanut oil has a high smoke point and neutral flavor perfect for frying.

• Vegetable or canola oil are other budget-friendly options.

• Lard or bacon fat give the best chicken flavor.

Avoid olive oil as it has too low of a smoke point for deep frying. The olive flavor will also overpower the wings.

Use fresh, high quality oil for the best texture and taste. Avoid reusing oil more than a couple uses as it breaks down quickly.

Oven Baked Chicken Wings

Don’t want to deep fry? Baked wings are a healthier alternative:

1. Toss wings in oil, seasonings, and baking powder.

2. Bake at 450°F for 15 minutes.

3. Flip wings and bake 15 more minutes.

4. Increase heat to broil. Broil 5 minutes until crispy.

Baking powder helps dried out the skin for crispier oven baked wings.

More Delicious Chicken Wing Recipes

Take wings to the next level with different sauces, rubs and cooking methods:

• Buffalo Wings – Fried then tossed in a buttery cayenne hot sauce. Serve with blue cheese dressing.

• BBQ Wings – Simmer fried wings in a sticky sweet and smoky barbecue sauce.

• Jerk Wings – Marinate raw wings in a Jamaican jerk seasoning blend before frying or baking.

• Korean Wings – Fry and then coat baked wings in a Korean inspired ginger, soy and garlic sauce.

• Garlic Parmesan Wings – Toss crispy wings in melted butter, garlic and parmesan cheese.

• Honey Sriracha Wings – Coat fried wings in a blend of sweet honey and spicy sriracha.

• Lemon Pepper Wings – Season wings before and after frying with zesty lemon pepper.

• Crispy Baked Wings – Render the fat first by baking at high heat, then finish off under the broiler.

The possibilities are endless for preparing amazing chicken wings! Adjust cook times as needed and add your favorite sauces or seasonings. Enjoy perfect wings your family and friends will devour.