Air Fryer Fried Chicken Wings

Air fryer fried chicken without buttermilk is one of those chicken wings recipes you will continue making repeatedly. I should know I make them at least once a week. Guilty!!  They are golden brown chicken drumsticks and are packed with protein and flavor! The cool thing that I love about this recipe is less oil! Talk about healthy. Also, you should try this with my carrot bacon. Delicious!

Why You Should Make Air Fryer Fried Chicken?

– Great Idea: Making air fryer fried chicken without buttermilk in the air fryer is a great idea as it offers a healthier alternative to traditional deep-frying methods.

– Little Oil: Air fryers use very little oil compared to traditional frying methods, making it a healthier option for enjoying fried chicken. Don’t get me wrong, Southern fried chicken is still my all-time favorite.

– Aerosol Cooking Spray: You can use aerosol cooking spray, such as olive oil spray or canola oil, to lightly coat the chicken before air frying. This helps achieve a crispy and golden exterior.

– Easy Air Fryer: Air fryers are designed to be user-friendly, making it easy for even first-time users to successfully cook fried chicken.

– Less Mess: Air frying significantly reduces the mess associated with traditional frying methods. There is no need for large amounts of oil or dealing with oil splatters.

– First Time: Even if you’ve never used an air fryer before, making air fryer fried chicken without buttermilk can be a great way to try it out and discover its versatility and convenience.

Ingredients You Will Need For Air fryer fried chicken without buttermilk

• Chicken Drums- Crispy, healthier, and hassle-free cooking!

• All Purpose Flour- helps to create a crispy coating on the chicken when cooked in an air fryer.

• Nonstick Spray- helps to prevent the chicken from sticking to the air fryer basket, allowing it to cook evenly and easily release from the surface.

• Seasonings- to add in a tremendous amount of flavor and taste.

The full recipe can be found below in the recipe card.

How To Make Air Fryer Fried Chicken?

Preheat the air fryer to 365°F (185°C). In a bowl, mix flour, spices, and seasonings. Coat chicken thighs in the seasoned flour. Shake off any excess flour.

Light Spray the air fryer tray with nonstick spray. Place chicken in the air fryer, skin-side up, in a single layer. Cook for 20 minutes.

Open the air fryer and spray oil or brush with oil any remaining flour areas. Flip the chicken and cook for another 5 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it cool slightly. Serve your air fryer fried chicken without buttermilk with side dishes. Enjoy!

Substitutions/ Variations

– Oven-baked crispy chicken: Swap the air fryer for an oven and achieve a similar crispy texture for your chicken pieces.

– Panko-crusted chicken: Instead of using a flour mixture, coat your chicken in a crispy panko breadcrumb mixture for added crunch.

– Spicy chicken tenders: Add a kick to your chicken by incorporating cayenne pepper or chili powder into the flour mixture and using chicken tenders.

– Lemon pepper chicken: Elevate the flavor of your chicken by combining garlic powder, black pepper, and lemon zest in the flour mixture.

– Buttermilk-marinated chicken: use buttermilk to marinate the chicken with flour.

– Grilled chicken drumsticks: If you prefer a healthier option, try grilling your chicken pieces instead of deep frying or air frying.

– Classic fried chicken: Stick to the traditional method of deep frying your chicken pieces for that extra crispy and moist result.

– Oven-roasted chicken thighs: chicken wings for bone-in chicken thighs for boneless ones and roast them in the oven for a delicious alternative.

– Crispy chicken sandwich: Coat your chicken pieces in a seasoned flour mixture, air fry or oven-bake them until crispy, and assemble them into a mouthwatering sandwich.

Equipment For Air Fryer Fried Chicken

1. Air fryer: This is the key equipment for air frying your chicken. Choose a size that can accommodate the amount of chicken you want to cook.

2. Mixing bowls: You’ll need a couple of bowls to prepare the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture for coating the chicken.

3. Whisk or fork: Use a whisk or fork to combine the ingredients in the flour and buttermilk mixture.

4. Tongs: Tongs will be helpful to for flipping and turning the chicken pieces in the air fryer.

5. Measuring cups and spoons: These will help you accurately measure the ingredients for your flour mixture and buttermilk mixture.

7. Cooking spray or oil mister: If needed, you can use cooking spray or an oil mister to lightly coat the chicken pieces before air frying to enhance crispiness.

Storage

Allow the fried chicken to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the chicken soggy. Next, place the cooled fried chicken in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Ensure the container or wrap is adequately sealed to prevent air entering.

Tips

– Dry Spots: To prevent dry spots on the chicken, it’s recommended to lightly coat the chicken with oil or cooking spray before air frying.

– Canola Oil: Canola oil is another suitable option for coating the chicken before air frying. It helps enhance the flavor and promotes browning.

– Degrees Fahrenheit: Air fryers typically cook at a high temperature, usually around 400 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring the chicken cooks quickly and evenly.

– Meat Thermometer: Using a meat thermometer is essential when cooking bone-in chicken in an air fryer. It helps ensure the chicken reaches the proper internal temperature for safe consumption.

– Side of the Chicken: When air frying chicken, it’s essential to arrange the pieces in a single layer, ensuring that each side of the chicken gets evenly cooked and crispy.

Common Questions

How to reheat fried chicken in an air fryer?

To reheat fried chicken in an air fryer, preheat it to 375°F (190°C). Place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 3-4 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Enjoy your crispy, reheated fried chicken!

Do you spray chicken with oil before frying?

Spraying chicken with oil before frying can help achieve a crispy and delicious texture. It’s a great way to ensure that the chicken doesn’t stick to the pan and helps enhance its flavor. Just use an oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable or canola oil, and lightly spray it on both sides of the chicken before you start frying. Enjoy your cooking! If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask.

Originally published June 1, 2021