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Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Wings

Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Wings

These air fryer wings are golden, crispy, and full of flavor — with no deep frying required. Scoring the wings helps them soak up the marinade quickly, while a light egg white and cornstarch coating gives that perfect crunch.
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Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:16 minutes
Marinating Time:30 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: chicken, Chicken Wings
Servings: 2

Equipment

  • Air Fryer Or pan-fry in a pan

Ingredients

For the wings:

  • 1 lb chicken wings about 10 large pieces
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp white pepper
  • 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorn optional, adds a slightly numbing kick
  • 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine optional to add if your wings aren't the freshest — it helps reduce any gamey smell and adds depth of flavor

For the coating:

  • 1 egg white
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp white pepper
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • Oil spray

Instructions

  • Wash and pat dry the chicken wings. Score both sides of each wing to help the marinade absorb faster. (If you're marinating overnight, you can skip the scoring.)
  • In a bowl or zip-top bag, combine soy sauce, salt, white pepper, and Sichuan peppercorns, optional to add Shaoxing wine. Add the wings and mix well. Let them marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for deeper flavor.
  • Remove the wings from the marinade and shake off any excess liquid. You can also gently pat them dry with a paper towel. Add the egg white and toss to coat evenly.
  • In a shallow bowl, mix the cornstarch, salt, white pepper, and baking powder. Dredge each wing in the coating until well-covered. Shake off any extra and let the wings sit for a few minutes—this allows the coating to absorb some moisture and stick better.
  • Spray or brush your air fryer tray with oil. Arrange the wings in a single layer, leaving space between each piece. Spray the tops of the wings with oil to ensure even crisping.
  • Air fry at 350°F (about 175°C) on a high fan setting for around 16 minutes. Some air fryers may need you to flip the wings halfway through. Cook until they’re golden brown and crispy on the outside.
  • Enjoy immediately while they’re hot and crunchy. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or a simple sprinkle of extra white pepper.

Notes

No air fryer? You can pan-fry the wings in 2 to 3 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Cook each side until golden and fully cooked through.