Making boneless chicken wings in an air fryer is super simple and excruciatingly delicious. These sorts of wings are far better and sweeter than deep-fried wings. Chicken wings without bones are called boneless wings. These are carefully breaded, deep-fried, and covered in spicy sauce chunks of breast meat shaped like chicken wings. Many people enjoy eating boneless wings as an appetizer or snack. Cooking them in an air fryer yields crispy, delectable results while reducing the need for deep frying. With a crispy, golden brown crust and tender, juicy meat, this recipe for boneless chicken wings delivers a delicious contrast of textures. We'll walk you through the entire process of cooking boneless wings in an air fryer in this in-depth tutorial.
On the other hand, an air fryer is a hot air circulator appliance that is typically much smaller than a convection oven. An air fryer cooks your dish by flowing hot air in all directions around your food. The air fryer gives these wings a fabulously crispy skin and tender meat to be crispy on the outside and tender and sweet on the inside. If you love deep-fried foods but want a lighter option, try these air fryer recipes for French fries, egg rolls, mozzarella sticks, and pickles. These wings are also made in the air fryer, so they have a crunchy crust and moist meat without any oil. They are lower in calories and easier to clean up than traditional wings.
Table Of Contents
Why You Will Enjoy This Recipe
It is Juicy and Flavorful: There is just something about messy fingers, spicy sauce, and juicy meat that makes any occasion fun.
It is Healthier: This air fryer recipe is a healthier version of buffalo wings. It gives you all of the flavor and texture you love using a method that is much easier than deep-frying. Plus, there are no bones to mess with.
It Is Fast and Easy: Now you don't have to wait for the Super Bowl! These delicious wings can be made up quickly anytime you need a little extra fun in your life! It is so easy and delicious it has become one of our favorite air fryer recipes!
How to make boneless wings in an air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Cooking oil spray
- Your favorite wing sauce
Recommended Equipment For Use
- Glass Mixing Bowls. With 10 different stackable sizes and easy to wash, they're ideal for tossing or dipping the air fryer chicken wings in any sauce.
- Knife Block Set. Ergonomic and with a broader blade curve for easy rocking cutting
- Kitchen Tongs. These 16-inch tongs easily reach deep into the air fryer's basket.
- Air fryer
- Cooking thermometer to know and abide by the recommended temperature of the recipe
Instructions
Step 1:Prepare the Chicken
Slice boneless, skinless chicken breast into cubes that are between 1 and 2 inches square.
Step 2:Prepare the Dredging Station
Add buttermilk and egg to a small bowl and whisk to combine. This will serve as the wet mixture for coating the Chicken. In another shallow bowl, add flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix well.
Step 3:Dredge the Chicken
Take a piece of Chicken and dip it into the flour mixture, ensuring it's well coated.
Add the chicken pieces to the flour mixture, flipping them over to coat all of the sides. Tap off any excess flour.
Finally, return the Chicken to the flour mixture, ensuring it's completely coated. This double coating will result in extra crispiness.
Place the coated Chicken on a plate or tray.
Step 5: Cook the Chicken
To keep the air fryer basket from sticking, lightly coat it with cooking spray or a tiny bit of oil.
Make sure the breaded chicken pieces are not crowded in the air fryer basket by arranging them in a single layer. The size of your air fryer will determine whether you need to cook them in batches.
The final sauce preparation is crucial since the most crucial phase is getting your hot, boneless wings from the air fryer into your mouth. Make your buffalo sauce in a small saucepan by melting butter, adding wing sauce, and then squeezing in lemon juice while the boneless wings are in the air fryer. Your boneless wings should be tossed in the sauce right away since the longer you wait, the less crispy the chicken batter will get. To avoid breaking up the batter, we find that tossing our Chicken gently in the sauce with a spoon yields the greatest results.
Bake the Chicken for 10 to 12 minutes at 375°F (190°C), turning the pieces halfway through. Cooking durations can change based on your air fryer model, so it's essential to keep an eye on them.
Step 6: Check for Doneness
To ensure the Chicken is fully cooked, use a cooking thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should reach at least 165°F (74°C).
If necessary, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes and recheck the temperature.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Once the boneless wings are golden brown and have reached the correct internal temperature, carefully remove them from the air fryer basket using tongs.
Allow them to cool for a few minutes, as they will be extremely hot when first removed from the air fryer.
Serve your crispy boneless wings with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ranch, blue cheese, or barbecue sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce, like blue cheese dressing or my favorite ranch dressing.
The classic accompaniment of celery sticks and carrots provides a welcome relief from the building heat of the buffalo sauce.
Wings are also frequently enjoyed with pizza!
You also can use this recipe to make whole chicken wings in the air fryer: place the wings in a single layer (you'll be able to fit about 3 whole wings at a time). Air fry at 250°F for 15 minutes, then increase the heat to high and air fry at 400°F for 15 minutes more. Turn the wings over halfway through each cooking time.
Recipe Variations
- Honey Garlic Air Fryer Chicken Wings. Use the sauce from my Honey Garlic Chicken Wings.
- Lemon Pepper Air Fryer Chicken Wings. Use the sauce from my Lemon Pepper Wings.
- Asian Air Fryer Chicken Wings. Try these sweet and sticky Korean Air Fryer Chicken Wings.
- BBQ Air Fryer Wings. Toss the wings in Homemade Barbecue Sauce.
- Extra Spicy Chicken Wings. Add a few pinches of cayenne pepper to your Buffalo sauce.
- Boneless Air Fryer Chicken Wings. I haven’t experimented with boneless wings, but I suspect they will cook more quickly. For another great boneless chicken recipe, check out my Air Fryer Chicken Tenders.
Nutrition
Calories | 330Kcal |
Carbohydrates | 25g |
Protein | 30g |
Fat | 11g |
Saturated | 5g |
Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g |
Monounsaturated Fat | 3g |
Trans Fat | 1g |
Cholesterol | 169mg |
Sodium | 1248mg |
Potassium | 539mg |
Fiber | 1g |
Sugar | 1g |
Vitamin A | 500IU |
Vitamin C | 25mg |
Calcium | 28mg |
Iron | 2mg |
Tips For Keeping Crunchy Wings
- Let them mix in sauce right before serving.
- If the boneless wings are on a large plate, serve the sauce on the side.
- After air-frying, put them on a cooling rack to allow air to flow beneath the wings. Food that has been fried, including air-fried food, is harmed by steam.
- Avoid packing the air fryer too full and cook in batches. In addition to preventing equal browning, crowding can produce steam that sours the boneless wings.
- The boneless wings should be partially cooked in batches until the outsides are crisp and golden. Then, place them all into the basket to finish cooking at the same time. Don't let the partially cooked Chicken sit out for too long, and be careful to abide by food safety regulations.
- Douse in oil. This is essential to getting the Chicken's coating crispy.
- Stick with the 2 Temperature Approach. The lower temperature renders the fat; the higher temperature crisps the skin.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer. If your wings aren’t crispy, you likely cooked too many at once (or didn’t turn up the temperature enough at the end).
- Skip the Baking Soda. Tossing your wings with baking soda or flour isn't necessary for crispy results, and you'll save yourself the hassle.
- To Use Frozen Wings in the Air Fryer. Increase the cooking time by 5 additional minutes at 360 degrees F (29 minutes total at this temperature). The wings may stick together at first. Shake the basket after a few minutes to separate them, then use tongs to arrange them so they are not touching.
Point To Note,
Storage: Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (177°C) for about 5 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Cooking Frozen Boneless Wings: Cook frozen boneless wings for 13 to 25 minutes at 380º (193°C). The size of the nuggets will determine how long they take to cook exactly. Check the interior temperature with a thermometer!
Baking in Oven: Place the Chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet, then bake it at 375°F (190°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating it halfway through or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). For extra crispiness, broil for a minute or two before removing from the oven.
The Secret to Crispy Air Fryer Wings
To make wings crispy in the air fryer, you need to ensure that the fat in the skin can fully render (a.k.a. cookout) so the wings are not soggy. To ensure the fat renders and the wings crisp, air fry chicken wings at two separate temperatures;
First, air fry the chicken wings at 360°F for 24 minutes, turning once halfway through. This step renders the fat.
Then, turn up the heat to 390°F. This high temperature crisps the outside of the wings, leaving the interior meat moist.
The two-temperature approach is easy, and it's less messy than making air fryer chicken wings with baking soda or flour.
Storage Tips
Storage is as important as the whole process of making the wings, and this is the process;
Refrigerate chicken wing leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To Reheat Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer. Let the wings come to room temperature. Mist with water to help make them juicy, then reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes or the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 6 minutes, turning once halfway through.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. How do I prepare the boneless wings for the air fryer?
To prepare boneless wings, start by coating them with a light layer of cooking spray or a small amount of oil. This helps them get crispy during air frying.
Q. What temperature and time settings should I use in the air fryer?
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Cook the boneless wings for about 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Adjust the time as needed for your specific air fryer model.
Q. How can I ensure my boneless wings are crispy and not soggy?
To ensure crispy boneless wings, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook them in a single layer with some space between each piece. This allows hot air to circulate evenly, resulting in a crispier texture.
Q. Can I use frozen boneless wings in the air fryer?
Yes, you can use frozen boneless wings in the air fryer. Add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. It's important to check for doneness by ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Q. What are some popular sauce options to toss the boneless wings in after air frying?
Popular sauce options include buffalo, barbecue, honey mustard, teriyaki, and garlic parmesan. Toss the cooked boneless wings in your preferred sauce or serve it on the side for dipping.
Final Thoughts
We've covered every stage of cooking crispy boneless wings in an air fryer in this in-depth guide. You may enjoy this famous appetizer or snack with less oil and more convenience if you follow these directions. Delicious boneless wings with a crispy outside and tender interior are the ultimate result. Savor your handcrafted boneless wings, and feel free to customize the sauces and seasonings to your preference!