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2 pounds (about 900g) chicken wings (split into flats and drumettes)
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 teaspoon salt
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1 teaspoon black pepper
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
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½ teaspoon onion powder
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Optional: your favorite wing sauce (buffalo, BBQ, honey garlic, etc.)
Preparation:
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Prep the Wings: Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels—this is crucial for crispiness.
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Season: In a large bowl, toss the wings with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder until evenly coated.
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Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It’s fine if they touch a little, but avoid overcrowding. Cook in batches if needed.
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Air Fry:
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Set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
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Cook for 25–28 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through.
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For extra crispiness, increase the heat to 400°F (200°C) in the last 5 minutes.
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Sauce (Optional): If using sauce, toss the cooked wings in a bowl with your chosen sauce right before serving.
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Serve Hot: Enjoy them straight away while they’re sizzling and golden!
Serving and Storage Tips:
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Serving: Serve wings immediately with classic sides like celery sticks, carrot sticks, ranch dressing, or blue cheese dip.
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Storage: Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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Reheating: Reheat wings in the air fryer at 375°F for about 5–7 minutes to regain their crispiness. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep them crispy.
Variants:
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Buffalo Wings: Toss cooked wings in a mix of melted butter and hot sauce for classic Buffalo flavor.
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Garlic Parmesan: After cooking, coat wings with melted butter, minced garlic, and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan.
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Asian-Inspired: Glaze with a mix of soy sauce, honey, ginger, and a dash of sriracha for a sweet-spicy twist.
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Dry Rub: Use a Cajun or lemon-pepper seasoning blend for dry-style wings without added sauce.
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Sweet BBQ: Brush with your favorite BBQ sauce and air fry an additional 2 minutes to caramelize.
FAQ:
Q: Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
A: It’s recommended for best results. Preheating for about 3 minutes helps achieve a crispy texture right from the start.
Q: Can I use frozen wings?
A: Yes! Just add about 5–7 extra minutes to the cook time and shake the basket a couple of times during cooking.
Q: How do I make them extra crispy?
A: Make sure the wings are very dry before seasoning and finish at a higher temperature (400°F) for the last few minutes.
Q: What if I don’t have oil?
A: You can skip it, but a light coating of oil does help with browning and crispiness.
Q: How many wings can I cook at once?
A: It depends on your air fryer size. Ideally, cook in a single layer without too much overlap. Cook in batches for bigger servings.