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Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Wings Three Ways

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Crispy and juicy chicken wings made in the air fryer with three delicious sauces: spicy buffalo, tangy lemon pepper, and sweet honey garlic. Quick, easy, and healthier than traditional frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds chicken wings, split into flats and drumettes
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder (not baking soda)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Buffalo Sauce:
  • ¼ cup hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Lemon Pepper Sauce:
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • Zest of 1 medium lemon
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Honey Garlic Sauce:
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat 2 pounds of chicken wings dry with paper towels.
  2. Toss wings with 1 tablespoon baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt evenly in a large bowl.
  3. Let wings rest uncovered in the fridge for 1 hour to dry brine.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
  5. Arrange wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between pieces.
  6. Air fry wings for 25-28 minutes, flipping halfway through at around 12 minutes, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. While wings cook, prepare sauces:
  8. For buffalo sauce, melt 2 tablespoons butter over low heat, then whisk in hot sauce and garlic powder.
  9. For lemon pepper sauce, combine melted butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, black pepper, garlic powder, and salt in a bowl.
  10. For honey garlic sauce, gently simmer honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan for 2-3 minutes.
  11. Transfer cooked wings to a large bowl and toss with your preferred sauce until evenly coated.
  12. Serve immediately for best crunch.

Notes

Dry brining the wings with baking powder and salt for 1 hour is essential for crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. Flip wings halfway through cooking. Toss wings in sauce immediately after cooking to keep skin crisp. For extra crispiness, air fry wings for an additional 2 minutes after tossing in sauce, watching carefully to avoid burning. Use tamari for gluten-free soy sauce and substitute butter with coconut oil or plant-based margarine for dairy-free options. Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F for 4-5 minutes to restore crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken wings, crispy chicken wings, buffalo wings, lemon pepper wings, honey garlic wings, easy chicken wings, healthy chicken wings, game day recipes

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/air-fryer-crispy-chicken-wings-three-ways-easy-homemade-recipes/