Hey there! If you’re craving crispy, golden wings that are full of flavor, then you’re in for a treat. These honey BBQ chicken wings made in the air fryer are just unreal! They come out crispy like they’ve been deep fried, but with way less oil. Perfect for sharing with friends or not. I mean, having them all to yourself is totally fine too, right? Plus, if you don’t have an air fryer, no worries you can make them in the oven, just double the cooking time. Let’s dive into how to make these mouthwatering wings!
Method in Detail
Dry the Wings
Start by preparing the chicken wings for cooking. This is a very important first step to achieve that crispy texture you crave! Take a piece of kitchen paper and pat each chicken wing dry. This helps remove any excess moisture from the wings, which can otherwise make them soggy instead of crispy when cooking. The drier the wings, the better they’ll crisp up in the air fryer.
Coat the Wings
After drying the wings, it’s time to season them. Lightly spray the wings with a low-calorie cooking spray. This will help the seasoning stick and give them that golden, crispy texture. Then, in a small bowl, mix together paprika, garlic powder, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle this dry seasoning mixture evenly over the wings. You can either toss the wings in the bowl to coat them well or sprinkle the seasoning directly and use your hands to rub it in. This step ensures that every bite will have a perfect balance of flavor and a nice crunch.
Airfry the Wings
Now for the magic! Place the wings in the air fryer basket. It’s essential not to overcrowd the basket; you want enough space between the wings to allow hot air to circulate, ensuring even cooking and crispiness. If your air fryer has two drawers, use both so you can cook more wings at once without overcrowding. Set the air fryer to 200°C (390°F) and cook the wings for 20 minutes. During this time, the wings will turn golden brown and become wonderfully crispy. Make sure to check them halfway through the cooking time to see if they need to be flipped for an even crisp.
Coat with Honey BBQ Sauce
Once the wings are perfectly crispy, it’s time to coat them with the flavorful honey BBQ sauce. In a small bowl, mix your BBQ sauce with honey. You can adjust the amount of honey depending on how sweet you want the sauce. After your wings are done cooking, take them out of the air fryer and immediately brush the sauce onto each wing. Toss the wings gently to ensure they are fully coated in the sweet and tangy sauce. This step is where the wings get their delicious sticky glaze, so make sure every surface of the wings is covered.
Garnish and Serve
To make your wings even more appealing, sprinkle a handful of fresh chopped spring onions on top for a pop of color and a hint of freshness. Serve the wings with your favorite dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese for an extra creamy dip. These wings are delicious on their own, but these extra touches make them even more special!
Necessary Tools
- Air fryer
- Kitchen paper (for drying wings)
- Mixing bowl
- Tongs or spatula
- Sauce brush (optional)
Airfryer Honey BBQ Chicken Wings
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes20
minutes30
minutesIngredients
700g chicken wings
4-5 tbsp BBQ sauce
2 tbsp honey
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
Low-cal spray (for coating)
Directions
- Dry the wings: Start by patting your chicken wings dry with kitchen paper. This step helps them crisp up in the air fryer.
- Coat the wings: Give the wings a light spray of low-calorie spray. Then, coat them with the paprika, garlic powder, baking powder, salt, and pepper. This gives them the perfect flavor and crunch.
- Airfry the wings: Place the wings in the air fryer basket, but don’t double-stack them. If you have two drawers, use both to make sure they cook evenly. Set the air fryer to 200°C (390°F) and cook for 20 minutes.
- Coat with honey BBQ sauce: Once the wings are crispy and golden, brush them with the BBQ sauce and honey mixture. Toss them around to make sure each wing is fully coated.
- Garnish and serve: Top the wings with some fresh spring onions and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Make sure your chicken wings are spread out evenly in the air fryer. Overcrowding can cause them to cook unevenly and become soggy.
- Check the wings: Every air fryer is a little different, so make sure to check the wings halfway through cooking. If they need a little more time, just add a few extra minutes.
- Watch the sauce: When you coat the wings with the BBQ sauce and honey, make sure to do it after the wings are cooked to avoid burning the sauce. The heat from the wings will melt the sauce perfectly!
Serving Suggestions
These honey BBQ wings are perfect on their own, but you can make it a full meal by pairing them with a side of crispy fries or a fresh salad. They’re great for game day, parties, or even a cozy family dinner. If you want to take it up a notch, add a side of creamy ranch or blue cheese dipping sauce for an extra burst of flavor!
Fun Fact
Did you know that the air fryer was originally created as a healthier alternative to deep frying? You get the same crispy texture without all the added oil, making it the perfect tool for making wings!
Conclusion
These honey BBQ chicken wings are the perfect blend of crispy, sweet, and savory. With just a few simple ingredients and the magic of the air fryer, you can make wings that taste like they’ve been deep fried, but with less mess and less fat. Whether you’re serving them for a party or just treating yourself to a delicious meal, these wings will not disappoint. Enjoy!
