How To Air Fry Chicken Wings

Air frying has become an increasingly popular cooking method thanks to its ability to create crispy, flavorful dishes with minimal added oil. Among the numerous dishes that can be prepared in an air fryer, chicken wings stand out as a crowd-pleasing favorite. Whether you're cooking for a game day gathering or simply craving a tasty snack, mastering the art of air frying chicken wings will undoubtedly elevate your wing skills. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of achieving perfectly air-fried chicken wings, from preparation to serving.

Preparing the Chicken Wings for the Air Fryer

Choosing the Wings: Whether you opt for fresh or frozen chicken wings, it's important to ensure they are of high quality. Fresh wings offer the advantage of immediate preparation, while frozen wings require proper thawing before cooking.

Thawing Frozen Wings: To thaw frozen wings, place them in the refrigerator overnight. It is highly recommended to thaw your wings naturally, but in a pinch, you can use the defrost setting on your microwave, ensuring you rotate and flip the wings at intervals to promote even thawing.

Seasoning and Marinating: After the wings are fully thawed, consider marinating them for a few hours in your preferred marinade to infuse them with flavor. This would be a great time to brine your wings as well, with our Signature Brine, Sweet Tea Brine, or Pickle Brine, to help maintain that juiciness and moistness of the wings. Also, this would be a good time to season the wings with your favorite Lane's seasoning:

• Nashville Hot, Spellbound Hot, or Sweet Heat
• Chili Lime, Sweet Lemon Pepper, Spellbound, Honey Sriracha, Signature, Q-Nami

Before cooking the wings, preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, 380 degrees is what we set our air fryer to for chicken wings. This step is crucial in ensuring that the wings cook evenly and achieve a crispy exterior.

Cooking Process For Wings

Arranging the Wings: Carefully place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, allowing sufficient space between each wing to facilitate proper air circulation. Avoid overcrowding, as this may hinder the wings from crisping evenly.

Setting the Time and Temperature: Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for the recommended time and temperature settings. As a general guideline, cook the wings at around 360-400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking process to ensure uniform cooking. You can always air fry the wings longer to make them crispier, just don't overdo them and dry them out.

To determine when the wings are fully cooked, look for a golden, crispy exterior. Additionally, you can use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the wings reaches 165°F, ensuring they are safe to eat.

Serving and Flavoring

Once the wings are cooked to perfection, remove them from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving platter. At this stage, you have the opportunity to add a final touch of flavor by tossing the wings in your favorite sauce or seasoning if you did not do this before or if you want a little extra flavor. Tossing some Spellbound wings in a half-and-half mixture of our Sorta White and Kinda Sweet sauce will change your world!

By following these detailed steps, you can achieve a batch of perfectly air-fried chicken wings that boasts a delightful crunch on the outside and juicy tenderness inside. Experiment with different seasonings and sauces to customize the flavor to your liking. With your newfound expertise, you'll be well-equipped to impress your guests or enjoy a delicious homemade treat whenever the craving strikes. Happy cooking!