Listen up, wingnuts! Do I have the recipe for you. If you crave finger-lickin', sauce-dripping, can't-get-enough boneless buffalo wings that'll have your tastebuds doing backflips, you need these air fryer wings in your life. I'm talking tender, juicy buffalo chicken enveloped in a crispy seasoned shell that'll have you questioning that delivery menu.
We ditch the hassle of dealing with bones so you can dive right into devouring these babies. No longer will you waste time nibbling around pesky bones or risking a trip to the dentist mid-feast! And thanks to your trusty air fryer, you can skip the mess and guilt of deep frying while still getting that crispy, golden brown crunch you crave.
But it gets even better, my friends. These wings pack some serious flavor, with a perfect blend of spices in the coating taking them over the top. We're talking just the right amount of heat and tang to have your lips smacking. One bite and you'll be transported to flavor town.
What You Need To Make Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Chicken- The main ingredient is boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Chicken thighs can also be used instead of breasts.
Eggs and Flour- Eggs and all-purpose flour create the coating on the chicken. The chicken strips get dipped into whisked eggs and then dredged into the flour mixed with spices.
Spices- The flour coating is seasoned with spices like cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. This adds lots of flavor.
Breading- For extra crunch, you can add panko breadcrumbs or cornstarch to the flour coating.
Cooking Spray- A light coating of avocado oil or olive oil cooking spray helps the buffalo chicken get crispy on the outside in the air fryer.
Sauce- The roasted chicken gets tossed in buffalo wing sauce or any sauce of your choice. Hot sauce, BBQ sauce, and Asian glazes all work well.
How To Make Wings In The Air Fryer
- Cut 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 1-2 inch pieces and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together 2 eggs. Place 1 cup of all-purpose flour in a second shallow bowl.
- In a third bowl, mix 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
- Working with one piece at a time, dredge the chicken tenders in the flour, dip in the egg mixture allowing excess to drip off, then coat all sides in the breadcrumb mixture. Place breaded pieces onto a plate. Repeat the process until all the chicken is breaded.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Add half the breaded chicken in a single layer without overcrowding. Spritz tops with additional cooking spray.
- Cook at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, gently flipping halfway through, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is golden brown.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a bowl. Repeat the process with the remaining raw chicken.
- Return all cooked chicken to the air fryer basket. Pour the buffalo sauce over the chicken and toss gently to coat.
- Fry for 2 additional minutes to adhere sauce. Serve wings immediately while hot and crispy. Enjoy!
What Can I Serve With Boneless Chicken Wings
Dipping Sauces
- Ranch dressing - A cooling, creamy dipping sauce that balances the heat.
- Blue cheese dressing - Tangy, bold flavor that cuts through spicy wings.
- Honey mustard - Sweet and tangy, great with any style of wings.
- Barbecue sauce - For a sticky, saucy wing pairing.
Vegetables
- Celery sticks - A classic pairing, provide crunch and cooling contrast.
- Carrot sticks - Another crunchy veggie perfect for scooping up extra sauce.
- Cucumber slices - Cool, crisp cucumber balances spicy wings.
Bread
- Dinner rolls - Fluffy rolls are great for making mini sandwiches.
- Biscuits - Buttery, soft biscuits sop up extra sauce beautifully.
- Cornbread - The sweetness plays off hot wings magnificently.
Sides
- French fries - Crispy fries are an easy, classic pairing.
- Potato wedges - Like fries, but more filling alongside wings.
- Coleslaw - Cool, creamy cabbage balances the heat.
- Mac and cheese - Ooey, cheesy goodness alongside wings!
Drinks
- Beer - An ice-cold beer is the perfect partner for hot wings!
- Blueberry lemonade - Fruity, sweet lemonade cools fiery wings.
- Ranch water - Refreshing sparkling water with ranch seasoning.
Why Air Fryer Boneless Wings Are Keto-Friendly
- Chicken wings are naturally low in carbs and fit well into a keto diet, which focuses on high fat and protein.
- The recipe uses almond flour in the breading rather than traditional flour, making it gluten-free and lower in carbs. Almond flour is commonly used in keto recipes.
- By avoiding carb-heavy batters and breading, the chicken wings can stay low in net carbs while still getting crispy in the air fryer.
- Buffalo sauce is keto-friendly and adds flavor without extra carbs or sugar. The butter and hot sauce contain no carbs.
Tips For The Best Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Wings
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts and cut them into 1-inch pieces to make easy boneless wings. This skips the step of dealing with bones.
- Toss the chicken pieces in an egg wash first before dredging in a seasoned flour mixture. The egg helps the flour stick.
- The flour mixture should include spices like cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to add lots of flavor.
- Air fry the wings at a high temp like 400°F to achieve a crispy texture on the outside while keeping the inside juicy. Flip halfway through.
- Toss the cooked boneless wings immediately in buffalo wing sauce so it adheres well to the wings before serving. The heat helps the sauce coat properly.
How To Store And Reheat
- Let Wings Cool Completely
Before storing leftover boneless wings, allow them to come to room temperature. This prevents moisture build-up.
- Use Airtight Container
Place cooled wings in a sealed airtight container. An airtight seal prevents wings from drying out.
- Refrigerate 3-4 Days
Properly stored wings keep 3-4 days refrigerated. The airtight container retains moisture and texture.
- Reheat in the Air Fryer
To reheat wings, place refrigerated wings back in the air fryer basket. Reheat at 350°F for 4-5 minutes until hot and crispy.
Air Fryer Boneless Wings
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Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (680 grams), cut into 1-2 inch pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour 125 grams
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs 100 grams
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray
- ½ cup buffalo wing sauce
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts into 1-2 inch pieces and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside.
- In one shallow bowl, beat the eggs. Place the flour in a second shallow bowl. In a third shallow bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
- Working one piece at a time, dredge the chicken in the flour, dip it in the egg, allowing excess to drip off, then coat all sides in the breadcrumb mixture. Place on a plate. Repeat with remaining chicken.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Add half of the chicken in a single layer, without overcrowding. Lightly spray chicken with additional cooking spray.
- Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, gently flipping halfway, until chicken is golden brown and internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees f(74°C).
- Transfer the roasted chicken to a bowl and repeat the process with the remaining raw chicken.
- Add cooked chicken back to the air fryer basket. Pour buffalo sauce over chicken and gently toss to coat. Air fry for 2 additional minutes just to adhere to the sauce. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For added crunch, dredge the floured chicken in cornstarch before dipping it in egg.
- For spicier wings, use hotter sauce. or choose your favorite sauce
- Cooked wings can be stored leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in air fryer at 350°F for 4-5 minutes of cook time.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes, you can substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the chicken breasts. The cooking time may need to be increased by 2-3 minutes.
Do I need to toss the cooked wings in the sauce right away?
It's best to toss the wings in the buffalo sauce shortly after cooking. This helps the sauce adhere properly. If the wings cool too much, the sauce will slide right off.
What dipping sauces go well with boneless wings?
Popular dipping sauces include ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, honey mustard sauce, and barbecue sauce. Celery and carrot sticks also make great accompaniments.
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