Foodily

May 21, 2021
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This recipe for air fryer chicken wings will help you (finally) make the crispiest, juiciest wings ever; all with no big jug of oil to lug home, no hot pot to babysit—in fact, no fuss at all. Just succulent chicken wings that prove deep-frying isn’t the only way to achieve deliciously crunchy results.

How does it work? When you air-fry, hot air circulates the entire wing, creating a uniformly crackly exterior while keeping the meat juicy—all without a greasy finish. Preheating the air fryer ensures the wings enter a hot environment, producing a positively shattering crust. Coating the wings in a baking powder and cornstarch mixture further optimizes crispiness, as the alkalinity of these ingredients encourages moisture absorption.

Ingredients

4–6 servings

lb. chicken wings, flats and drumettes separated

1½

tsp. baking powder

1½

tsp. cornstarch

Nonstick vegetable oil spray

1½

tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1 tsp. Morton kosher salt

tsp. freshly ground pepper

tsp. garlic salt

tsp. onion powder

tsp. smoked paprika

Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

Tbsp. mild hot sauce (preferably Frank’s RedHot)

Store-bought or homemade ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing (for serving)

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT

An air fryer

Preparation

Step 1

Pat dry 2 lb. chicken wings, flats and drumettes separated, with paper towels and place in a medium bowl. Add 1½ tsp. baking powder and 1½ tsp. cornstarch; toss wings to coat. Transfer to a baking sheet or large plate and chill 1 hour.

Step 2

Spray air-fryer basket with nonstick vegetable oil spray and heat air fryer to 400°. Mix 1½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1 tsp. Morton kosher salt, 1 tsp. freshly ground pepper, 1 tsp. garlic salt, 1 tsp. onion powder, and 1 tsp. smoked paprika in a small bowl.

Step 3

Transfer chicken wings to a clean large bowl. Sprinkle spice mixture over, then add 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil and 2 Tbsp. mild hot sauce (preferably Frank’s RedHot) and toss wings to coat.

Step 4

Working in 2 batches, arrange wings in a single layer in air fryer, spacing about ½” apart. Cook chicken wings, turning halfway through, until cooked through and golden brown and crisp, 25–30 minutes.

Step 5

Transfer air fryer chicken wings to a platter and let rest 5 minutes. Serve with store-bought or homemade ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing.