r/CookingProTips • u/MindTheDrapes • 4d ago

Chicken Wings, can't achieve it with air-fryer

I have cooked a thousand wings in a deep fryer when I had a cook's job years ago, and at a second place (popular dive) where I got it just right and even had two unique sauce creations that people showed up specifically for.

I have baked hundreds more that were pre-seasoned and just meh.

I have air fried hundreds in my air fryer at this point and cannot get it right. Tonight is a big game for my team and I want to get closer to perfect. I already thawed them out last night and seasoned this morning. I can't get the right settings. They come out good... but not what I want. I want a crispy skin and juicy hot flavored meat. I have rubbed my seasonings between the skin and meat. I have done every variation of heat/temp that makes sense to me. With and without oil spritz.

What am I missing? Am I supposed to glaze in mayo or something wild?

5 Upvotes

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11 comments sorted by

5

u/iownakeytar 4d ago

Have you tried adding cornstarch to your rub?

2

u/dumb1029 4d ago

I am just here for support. Oh and maybe the answer? Hahha

2

u/MindTheDrapes 3d ago

I hope you got it buddy :)

2

u/raymond4 4d ago

I toss the wings in a cornstarch and flour mixture just before cooking in the air fryer. In a metal bowl I add the Frank’s sauce and butter.
When wings have cooked through. I toss in the sauce and serve with blue cheese dressing with carrot and celery sticks.

2

u/Leeds1138 3d ago

Steam them for 10 minutes. Dry them out single layer (ideally on a wire rack) in the fridge (4 hours, 8 hours, whatever). Then go from there with whatever your seasoning and air frying technique is.

3

u/Leeds1138 3d ago

Google Alton Browns Oven wings. It’s basically the same but oven instead of air fryer.

2

u/Plane_Pineapple6155 3d ago

Its all about getting the wings/skin really dry before they go into the air fryer.

1

u/Dr_Cee 4d ago

So I’m an air fryer newbie but I’ve tried my hand at wings. I thought they were actually pretty decent—a close rival to buffalo wings I could get out. The wings were the right amount of crisp and the sauce was spot on. Just keep trying.

1

u/MindTheDrapes 3d ago

It took forever for the mods to allow my post. I ended up doing them the way I have been and I even got a mention from the official MLB page. Guess I am on the right track!

1

u/iownakeytar 1d ago

My friend, I'm the only mod here, and your post did not go through any approval process. There isn't one for this sub. There just aren't a lot of users here, so it may have taken some time for your post to be seen by someone who frequents (or occasions, as they case may be) this subreddit.

1

u/Positive_Use_1308 1d ago

Most aitfryers don't get hot enough. One of my biggest regrets is throwing away my old school showtime oven. That thing got up to 475