Super Simple Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Wings
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings: A Recipe Anyone Can Master
Make everyone’s favorite crispy and delicious fried chicken easily in your air fryer! It’s healthier because you’re not deep-frying, and the process is so simple, making it perfect for cooking with kids. We make this every week because it’s that popular!
Main Ingredients- 500g frozen chicken wings
- 1/2 cup store-bought fried chicken powder (using a paper cup for measurement)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (using a rice bowl for measurement)
- Cooking oil (recommended: grapeseed or olive oil) – a little
Seasoning- Salt – a pinch
- Pepper – a pinch
- Herb salt – a pinch
- Salt – a pinch
- Pepper – a pinch
- Herb salt – a pinch
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thaw the frozen chicken wings by soaking them in lukewarm water. Once thawed, rinse them thoroughly under cold running water, then drain them in a colander to remove excess moisture. Gently pat the surface of the wings dry with paper towels. You don’t need to get them perfectly dry.
Step 2
Place all the drained chicken wings into a clean resealable plastic bag. Now it’s time for the seasoning. Sprinkle some salt, a dash of pepper, or for extra flavor, a pinch of herb salt. Seal the bag tightly and shake vigorously to coat the wings evenly. You can add a little more seasoning if you like. Personally, I find herb salt gives a more appetizing flavor!
Step 3
Add a generous amount of store-bought fried chicken powder. (You don’t need to measure precisely with a measuring cup; enough to evenly coat the wings is fine. It won’t be too salty even if you add a lot.) After adding the powder, shake the bag again to ensure the chicken powder coats the wings thoroughly. The residual moisture on the wings helps the powder adhere very well.
Step 4
The chicken powder will coat the wings evenly, making them appear white. (This can look that way due to the wings’ own moisture.) If you’re aiming for that authentic fried chicken taste from your favorite local shop, this chicken powder is essential! Don’t worry if there’s some powder left at the bottom of the bag; you don’t need to remove it.
Step 5
Now, let’s add some cooking oil for extra flavor and crispiness. I usually use grapeseed oil, but any cooking oil like olive oil works well. Drizzle the oil twice in a ‘zipping’ motion, then shake the bag to distribute. Repeat this process once more, ensuring the wings look slightly moist overall. A little oil helps make the wings more flavorful and crispy when air-fried. This oil coating also helps the breadcrumbs stick better.
Step 6
Finally, add a good amount of breadcrumbs for extra crunch. Shake the bag again vigorously to coat the chicken wings evenly with breadcrumbs. Breadcrumbs are optional, but they add a wonderfully crunchy texture.
Step 7
The breadcrumbs might not stick very firmly just by shaking them inside the bag. You can stop here for a good result.
Step 8
However, my kids prefer chicken with lots of breadcrumbs, so I take an extra step. Transfer the seasoned wings to a bowl, add more breadcrumbs, and use your hands (with gloves on) to press the breadcrumbs firmly onto the wings. You can store these prepared wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator or kimchi refrigerator until you’re ready to cook them in the air fryer.
Step 9
Now, preheat your air fryer to 180-200°C (350-400°F). Place the prepared wings inside and cook for 15-20 minutes until golden and crispy. Wings are thin and cook quickly. If you know how to use an air fryer, even young children can easily make this! My kids say this air fryer chicken is much tastier than delivery chicken. Enjoy healthy and delicious homemade fried chicken!
