Crispy Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

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Delicious and healthy air fried chicken wings is a combination that really speaks to me! My adaptation of Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken wings are easy to make and a unique flavor combination that you just have to try!

Why Chicken Wings Are The BEST

I'm a sucker for a solid chicken wing, my Chimmichurri chicken wings are amazing, or I'm down for classic buffalo chicken wings! They are great to make for a crowd or just a low-key dinner for two.

Chicken wings are affordable and easy to find. You can buy in bulk & freeze or just grab a freezer party pack for weeknight dinners.

They take almost no time to cook to crispy perfection! 30 minutes for most of my wing recipes.

Whether you are cooking them from frozen or fresh, the air fryer is my preferred method for the crispiest wings.

What is Salt and Pepper Chicken?

So my recipe is an adaptation of true Chinese Salt and Pepper chicken. From my research, the authentic version originates from southern Chinese migrants who brought the recipe to the west.

It is a fried chicken dish that is tossed with a mixture of Chinese 5 spice, spicy chiles and peppers, then fried to crispy perfection.

The emphasis of fresh and high quality ingredients was at the forefront of this recipe because of how simple it is! So, while it may look almost TOO easy, utilizing fresh and local ingredients will make a huge difference in the enjoyment of this recipe!

Ingredients

Like I mentioned above, the ease and simplicity of this recipe is what makes it so beautiful. Here is what you'll need!

chicken wings
Chinese 5 spice (an incredible mix of anise, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, clove, and fennel)
fresno chili
serrano pepper
garlic
salt
corn starch
cooking spray
white wine
soy sauce
ginger

Tools You Need

For these air fried salt and pepper wings you just need...

an air fryer (This is the one I use and it's never failed me! )
a mixing bowl to toss it all together! These glass mixing bowls are my favorite.

How To Make Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

So now you've got your ingredients, lets make these wings!

Start with a quick marinade of the white wine, soy sauce, and ginger. Pour this over the wings while you prep everything else.
Pre heat the air fryer on 350 for 5 minutes.
Slice the peppers, chiles, and garlic. Toss together in a small bowl.
Drain the chicken wings, and then sprinkle with a mixture of cornstarch, salt, and Chinese 5 spice.
Toss this together and place them in the air fryer. Do this in batches!
Spray the wings with cooking spray and air fry them at 350 for 15 minutes.
For the last 5 minutes, add the peppers/chiles/garlic to the air fryer and increase the temperature to 400 and crisp them up for 5 minutes.
Remove and repeat with the remaining wings!

Pro Tips For Air Frying Wings

So I may or may not be a self proclaimed PRO at air frying chicken wings. I have a special secret to getting the crispiest wings....

Pre heat the air fryer! As soon as the wings hit the basket it will start cooking the skin.
Cook them on a lower temperature (350 degrees) to render out the fat from the chicken skin. Turning once during the cooking process.
For the last 5 minutes bump up the temperature to 400 degrees and now all of that rendered fat will crisp up the skin!

Can You Make This Without an Air Fryer?

While an air fryer is really my favorite way to cook chicken wings at home, if you do not have an air fryer, simply use an oven on the convection setting and follow the same instructions.

How To Reheat Chicken Wings In an Air Fryer

So if you by chance have any of these leftover, you can definitely reheat them a couple of days later to crispy perfection again...

Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes at 350
Place the wings in and air fry for 3-4 minutes at 400 until warm and crispy.
Enjoy!

Substitutions

There are a few things to sub in if you cannot find any of your ingredients...

Jalapeño peppers instead of serrano peppers
potato starch instead of corn starch
red bell pepper instead of Fresno chili
top it with green onions for some freshness!
try it with other cuts of chicken like diced chicken breast or thighs!

This is a naturally gluten free recipe!

FAQ and Tips For Crispy Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

How Many Chicken Wings Are In A Pound?

There can be between 3-5 chicken wings in a pound!

Can You Use Other Cuts Of Chicken?

Absolutely! Try boneless wings, chunks of chicken breast, or even chicken thighs. Just be sure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees to ensure they are cooked through.

Should I Season Wings Before Frying?

Yes! To infuse the flavor into these wings, we season them with a quick marinade and then a seasoned corn starch. It's a few extra steps but really makes the difference.

How To Store Fried Chicken Wings

I store these in an airtight Tupperware for 3-4 days. Simply reheat them in the air fryer on 400 for 3-4 minutes to crisp them up again.

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