Keto Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe (Extra Crispy!) (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient to crispy wings? ›

This was the easiest of the hacks: Just toss the wings in a teaspoon each of salt and baking powder before baking. The wings came out of the oven quite crisp, and were the only wings that came out matte – with no oil sheen – which seemed to help them absorb the sauce, in both good and bad ways.

Air fryers make foods crispy by circulating air around them, so if there's no room for air to circulate, the wings aren't going to crisp up. That said, you may need to Air Fry in two batches. If some of the wings are bigger than others I like to group them by size so they're done at the same time.

It may sounds unappealing, but coating chicken wings in seasoned baking powder is what makes the skin super crispy. You won't taste it in the end results, so long as you use aluminium-free. To be clear, make sure you use baking powder, NOT baking soda, because there is a big difference!

One of the biggest secrets to crispy chicken wings is to use cornstarch for the coating. You should also start cooking the chicken wings in well-heated oil and allow them to drain on a wire rack. Is it better to fry chicken wings in flour or cornstarch? Using only cornstarch provides extra crispy results.

INGREDIENTS TIPS

My not-so-secret tip to the best fried chicken is a combination of FLOUR, CORNSTARCH, and BAKING POWDER. When mixed with the flour, the cornstarch makes the flour coating crispier and gives it that golden brown color! (It has to do with prevention of gluten development.)

However, a small amount of oil is usually necessary to achieve a crispy texture. A drizzle or a quick oil spray is all you need for restaurant-quality fries and golden brown fried chicken, while other foods don't need any oil, like pizza or leftovers you might reheat.

You toss them in a simple combination of salt, pepper, and garlic powder before being air fried for 16 minutes. They come together quicker than traditional chicken wings, making them perfect for when you need an appetizer or snack quickly.

All you actually need is a dash of baking soda to make the crispiest wings possible. While that special ingredient will help create the best texture possible, it does come with a slight flavor drawback — too much of it will cause your wings to taste metallic and bitter.

However, if you search in your baking cabinet just a bit longer, you'll find exactly what you need: aluminum-free baking powder, which helps reduce moisture — the enemy of a perfect, crispy chicken wing, no fryer required.

How do you make fried chicken crispy again in an air fryer? ›

If you happen to own an air fryer, you can certainly reheat your fried chicken in its basket. Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and let the fried chicken come to room temperature. Next, arrange the fried chicken in a single layer and cook it for about four minutes, flipping it once to ensure even cooking.

Chicken wings reheat best when using an oven, as this even heating method creates a crispy exterior without drying out the meat. Additionally, air fryers can have similar results as an oven because it helps to retain more moisture than using a microwave, which is the quickest method.

Parchment paper can handle the heat inside your air fryer - up to 428°F (220°C). To get the best results, add the parchment paper to the air fryer basket at the same time as you add your ingredients. This prevents the paper from lifting up and coming into contact with the heating element while cooking.

Fry it twice.

Try Fontana's method for “blanching” fried chicken: Heat oil to 250 degrees and cook chicken breasts for about five minutes, or bone-in chicken for about 12 minutes. Let them rest for 15 to 20 minutes, then fry again, two to three minutes for breasts or five minutes for bone-in.

Pat wings dry with paper towels; Toss wings in baking powder and salt; Bake at 120°C/250°F for 30 minutes, then at 220°C/425°F for 40 – 50 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

If you crank your oven to at least 450°F and position a rack in the top third (the hottest part) of your oven and slide some chicken in there skin-side-up, the skin will be crisp by the time the chicken is cooked through. To help it out, baste it a couple times while it roasts with pan-drippings, butter, or oil.

Peanut oil is really the only way to go. Crispier wings and the flavor just can't be beat.