How to whip up crispy chicken wings in under 30 minutes with an air fryer

“I have the right to life, liberty and chicken wings,” famously quipped Mindy Kaling, of The Mindy Project fame. Ah, chicken wings. A staple Superbowl game-day snack in America, chicken wings are loved the world over. And for good reason. 

Crispy, golden pieces of chicken dipped and dried in a batter. What’s not to like, right? However, with the cornflour used in the batter and all that oil, you don’t really need a dietician to tell you that chicken wings aren’t necessarily an extremely healthy proposition either.  

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Having said that though, what if we told you that there is a way to cook up a healthy alternative, every bit as juicy and crispy with the same lip-smacking flavours? Enter, the air fryer.  

How does an air fryer work?

Now you may wonder how they do this. Well, air fryers’ workings aren’t very different from that of a microwave. They essentially get a fan on top, which disperses air heated using an element inside, distributing it around the food placed in the basket and cooking it.  

The food, lightly brushed with oil, manages to develop the super crispy outer layer we all know and love while remaining soft and moist inside. It is important to note here that the food does require to be brushed ever so slightly with oil. Air frying isn’t an entirely oil-free affair. However, it certainly Is a whole lot healthier than traditional cooking methods! 

Ingredients you require for crispy air-fried chicken wings

Before we go ahead, do note that the amount of ingredients you require can vary based on the amount of chicken you’re looking to cook.

Having said that, here are the ingredients you’ll need to whip up the most delicious (and guilt-free!) air fryer chicken wings. 

1. Chicken wings (About half a KG)  

2. Olive oil  

3. Salt  

4. Garlic powder 

5. Ground black pepper 

6. Chilli sauce 

7. Unsalted butter 

And that’s about it.  

How to make air-fried crispy chicken wings

Having gotten that out of the way, here’s how to get started on your crispy air fryer chicken wings – whether for a late-night cheat meal, or for your next wild Saturday night shindig. 

ALSO READ: Is food prepared in an air fryer healthy? Here’s all you need to know

First off, pat the chicken wings dry and place them in a large mixing bowl. Add in a tablespoon of olive oil, a teaspoon each of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, and toss the chicken until it is fully coated in the spices. Now, leave the chicken to rest and marinate for at least two hours.  

Once done, pre-heat your air fryer to about 200 degrees celsius. Next, place the chicken in the basket, even leaving space between them. Cook it for about 16 minutes, flipping it once halfway through to ensure it is evenly cooked on all sides.  

While the chicken is cooking, take about a third of a cup of chilli sauce and a quarter of a cup of melted butter. Mix the two in. Once you’ve taken the chicken out of the air fryer, toss it in the sauce till it is evenly coated, and that’s it! Your chicken is ready to serve. To add a little extra pizzazz to it, you can serve the chicken topped with some parsley or spring onions on top, along with a dip of your choice – Whether cheese, salsa, or a ranch dip. 

Air fryers you could consider investing in

With an air fryer and some simple ingredients at your disposal, meal prep has never been more of a breeze!

ALSO READ: International No Diet Day: 5 kitchen appliances that can whip up the ultimate late-night Maggi

If you’re wondering just which air fryers to buy, check out the Phillips HD9257 with a see-through window to watch your food as it is cooked, a capacitive touch screen with seven pre–set modes, or the Agaro Regency 12L digital air fryer with three assisted cooking function, overheating protection, and dishwasher-safe components.