Air-Fryer Bbq Chicken Wings: A Step-By-Step Guide

Chicken wings are a beloved appetizer, and for good reason. They're crispy, juicy, and full of flavour. If you're looking for a quick, easy, and delicious way to make chicken wings, look no further than your air fryer. Air-fried chicken wings are not only healthier than their deep-fried counterparts, but they also result in crispy skin and tender meat. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to make mouth-watering BBQ chicken wings using your air fryer.

Choosing the right BBQ sauce

Flavour Profile

Decide on the flavour profile you want to achieve. Do you prefer a sweet and tangy sauce, or would you like something spicy and smoky? You can also experiment with different flavours like honey BBQ, garlic parmesan, or even a dry rub instead of a liquid sauce.

Brand Options

When it comes to store-bought options, there are several popular brands to choose from. Sweet Baby Rays is a favourite among many, but you can also try Stubbs BBQ Sauce, G Hughes, or any other brand that suits your taste. You can even make your own homemade BBQ sauce to control the ingredients and create a unique flavour.

Customisation

Feel free to customise your BBQ sauce by adding extra ingredients. For example, you can add honey to your BBQ sauce for honey BBQ chicken wings, or include hot sauce for an extra kick. If you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with different spices, herbs, or even hot sauce instead of BBQ sauce to create unique flavour combinations.

Consistency

Consider the consistency of the BBQ sauce you choose. A thinner sauce will coat the wings more evenly and may be less messy to eat. A thicker sauce might provide a heartier coating and a stronger flavour.

Health Considerations

If you have dietary restrictions or health goals, look for BBQ sauces that align with your needs. For example, if you're watching your calorie intake, opt for a low-calorie option. There are also gluten-free and dairy-free alternatives available if needed.

Remember, the right BBQ sauce will enhance the flavour of your chicken wings and make them truly mouth-watering. Don't be afraid to experiment with different options and find the perfect sauce that suits your taste preferences and cooking methods.

Preparing the wings

Cutting and Drying the Wings:

Start by cutting and drying your chicken wings. Use a knife or kitchen shears to separate the whole chicken wings into flats (wingettes) and drums (drumettes). You can discard the wing tips or save them for making chicken stock later. It's important to ensure that the wings are completely dry before proceeding to the next step. Use paper towels to pat them dry and absorb any excess moisture. This step is crucial as dry wings will yield a crispier texture and allow the seasonings to adhere better.

Seasoning the Wings:

In a large bowl, toss the chicken wings with a small amount of olive oil or another high smoke point oil, such as canola, avocado, or grapeseed oil. The oil will help the seasonings stick to the wings. For the seasonings, you can use a blend of your choice or create your own. Common seasonings include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and baking powder. Mix your chosen seasonings in a separate small bowl, and then add them to the large bowl with the wings. Toss the wings well to ensure they are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.

Preheating the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 380-400°F (190-204°C). Refer to your specific air fryer model's instructions for the best results. Some air fryers may not require preheating, but it is generally recommended to ensure even cooking.

Placing the Wings in the Air Fryer:

After your air fryer has preheated, it's time to place the wings inside. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil or line it with parchment paper or foil for easier cleanup. Place the wings in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. This step is crucial to allow the wings to cook evenly and achieve the desired crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in multiple batches.

Air Frying the Wings:

Now, it's time to air fry the wings. The cooking time and temperature can vary depending on your air fryer and the desired level of doneness. For crispy wings, cook the wings at the preheated temperature for about 10 minutes, and then flip them over and cook for an additional 7-10 minutes. The total cooking time should be around 20-25 minutes. For the best results, refer to the specific instructions provided by your air fryer manufacturer.

Checking for Doneness:

To ensure your chicken wings are fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check their internal temperature. The wings are done when the thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat reads 165°F (74°C). This step is important to ensure the safety and quality of your dish.

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to preparing delicious and crispy BBQ chicken wings in your air fryer. The preparation process is essential to achieving the perfect texture and flavor for your wings.

Cooking methods

Firstly, you will need to prepare your chicken wings. Separate the whole wings and use only flats (wingettes) and drums (drumettes). You can save the wing tips for making chicken stock later. Cut the wings into drumettes and flats if necessary and pat them dry with a paper towel.

Before cooking, clean and pat your chicken wings dry with a paper towel. Ensure the wings are dry because dry wings will absorb the seasonings better. Add the chicken to a large bowl.

Now, you can add your seasonings. In a large bowl, toss the chicken wings with oil until coated. You can use olive oil or another oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, avocado, or grapeseed oil. Mix together the brown sugar (if using), salt, pepper, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, and cayenne pepper (if using). Sprinkle the mixture over the chicken wings and toss to evenly coat. For extra crispy wings, add a pinch of baking powder to the seasoning before coating the wings.

Preheat your air fryer to between 380°F and 400°F. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place the chicken in a single layer into the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket or place chicken on top of each other because that can result in the chicken not cooking evenly or crisply.

Cook at 380°F for 10 minutes. Then, flip the chicken and cook for another 7-10 minutes, until no longer pink and an instant thermometer reads 165°F. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches so that the wings are not overcrowded.

After that, transfer the chicken wings to a clean large bowl. Then, pour your barbecue sauce onto the wings and mix until all the wings are coated. Place the chicken coated in barbecue sauce back into the air fryer and heat for an additional 3-5 minutes at 350°F.

Serve immediately. If you want extra saucy wings, place the wings back into the bowl and top with more barbecue sauce.

Making the wings extra crispy

Dry the Wings

Use paper towels to pat the chicken wings dry before you begin cooking. This step is crucial as it helps to remove any excess moisture from the wings, allowing them to crisp up better during cooking.

Use Baking Powder

Baking powder is the secret ingredient to achieving super crispy chicken wings. It reacts with the chicken skin by raising its pH level, creating tiny air bubbles, and forming a crispy coating. Just be sure to use aluminium-free baking powder.

Don't Overlap the Wings

When placing the wings in the air fryer, ensure they are in a single layer with space between them. This allows the hot air to circulate properly, cooking the wings evenly and making them crispy all around.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature before adding the chicken wings. This step ensures the wings start cooking immediately and promotes even cooking and crispiness.

Cook at the Right Temperature

Cook the wings in the air fryer at 380°F for 10 minutes. Then, flip them over and cook for an additional 7-10 minutes, or until they are no longer pink and an instant thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat reads 165°F.

Flip the Wings

To ensure even cooking and crispiness, it is important to flip the wings at least once during the cooking process. This allows both sides of the wings to cook evenly and become crispy.

Use a Bigger Air Fryer

If you have a larger air fryer, you can cook more wings at once without overcrowding the basket. This will give you crispier results as the hot air will be able to circulate better.

Don't Overcrowd the Air Fryer

Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket by placing the wings on top of each other. This can prevent the wings from cooking evenly and crisply. It is better to cook the wings in batches if needed.

Toss in Sauce

After the wings are cooked and crispy, toss them in your favourite barbecue sauce. You can also add some extra sauce to make them extra saucy if desired.

Reheat Properly

If you have any leftover wings, you can reheat them in the air fryer at 370°F for 3-5 minutes to retain their crispiness.

Serving suggestions

BBQ chicken wings are a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, a main course, or a snack. Here are some ideas for how to serve them:

• As an appetizer or snack, serve the wings on their own or with a dip like ranch or blue cheese dip.
• For a heartier snack, serve the wings with carrot and celery sticks, and ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side.
• For a main course, serve the wings with a starchy side like potato wedges, sweet potato fries, or macaroni and cheese, and a green veggie side like an arugula salad.
• For a lighter meal, serve the wings with cauliflower rice.
• For a party or gathering, make a spread of finger foods like cream cheese bacon dates, chips and easy citrus guacamole, and creamy homemade hummus and veggies.
• For game day, serve the wings with typical game-day snacks like French fries, chips, celery and carrot sticks, corn on the cob, or green beans.
• For a sweet and savoury combination, serve the wings with honey mustard or creamy ranch dressing on the side.

Frequently asked questions