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Air fryer teriyaki wings are chicken wings that are air fried and coated in a teriyaki sauce. The wings are first seasoned with salt and pepper, then placed in the air fryer and cooked until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Once the wings are cooked, they are tossed in a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce made with soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and other seasonings.
2 Garlic Cloves
2 tbsp Corn Starch
1 cup Soy Sauce
1 tsp Sesame Oil
2 tbsp Rice Vinegar
1/4 cup Sesame Seeds
2 tbsp Honey
3/4 cup Brown Sugar
2 tsp baking powder
2 lbs Chicken Wings
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Pepper
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Onion Powder
1 tsp Paprika
1/2 tsp Chili Powder
1 tsp Ground Ginger
It is important to wash and dry chicken wings before cooking to remove any dirt, bacteria, or other contaminants that may be present on the surface of the meat. Chicken, like other types of poultry, can harbor harmful bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can cause foodborne illness if not properly cooked.
Washing the chicken wings with water helps to remove any dirt or debris that may be present on the surface. However, it is important to handle the chicken carefully during washing to prevent the spread of bacteria. It is recommended to wash the chicken in a clean sink and avoid splashing water, which can spread bacteria around the kitchen. Additionally, it is important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before and after handling raw chicken.
Drying the chicken wings with a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel helps to remove any remaining moisture, which can prevent the chicken from crisping up when cooked. Wet chicken can cause the oil or air fryer to splatter, making cooking messy and potentially dangerous. By drying the chicken wings, you can help prevent this and ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and gets a crispy exterior.
It is also important to note that washing chicken can also spread bacteria around your kitchen, which is why it is recommended to use a dedicated cutting board and utensils for handling raw chicken to avoid cross-contamination with other foods.
In a large bowl, season your chicken wings with:
An optional but recommended ingredient to include is baking powder. Most air fryer recipes will include the use of baking powder because it really helps get things crispy.
Adding baking powder to chicken wings can make them extra crispy because it helps to create a dry, crispy exterior when combined with the heat from the oven or air fryer.
When baking powder is combined with salt, it draws out moisture from the skin of the chicken and creates a dry surface, which allows the skin to crisp up in the oven or air fryer. This process is called the Maillard reaction, which occurs when amino acids and reducing sugars in the chicken skin are exposed to high heat. The result is a golden brown and crispy exterior that contrasts with the juicy and tender meat inside.
It is important to note that baking powder should be used in moderation, as too much can leave a bitter taste on the chicken. A ratio of 1 teaspoon of baking powder per 1 pound of chicken wings is usually sufficient for achieving the desired crispy texture.
Mix your wings thoroughly.
Spray the bottom of the air fryer with avocado oil and add your seasoned wings.
It is important to spray an air fryer with avocado oil before cooking chicken wings or other foods to prevent them from sticking to the surface of the air fryer and to help create a crispy texture.
Avocado oil has a high smoke point, which means that it can withstand high temperatures without burning or smoking. This makes it a good choice for use in an air fryer, which uses high heat to cook food quickly. Additionally, avocado oil is a healthy oil that contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, making it a better choice than other types of oils like vegetable oil or canola oil.
When cooking chicken wings in an air fryer, spraying the air fryer basket with avocado oil helps to prevent the chicken from sticking to the surface and helps to create a crispy texture on the outside of the wings. This is because the oil helps to conduct heat more evenly, allowing the chicken to cook more evenly and creating a crispy and golden-brown exterior.
It is important to note that using too much oil can result in greasy and unhealthy food, so it is recommended to use a light spray of avocado oil or to brush the wings lightly with the oil before cooking. Additionally, it is important to choose an avocado oil that is labeled as high-heat or suitable for cooking at high temperatures to ensure that it does not smoke or burn during cooking.
Once you’ve done this, cook the wings at 400 degrees for 12 minutes.
Shake and flip your wings, then cook again at 400 degrees for an additional 12 minutes.
Do one more shake of the air fryer basket and finish it off for an additional 6 minutes at 400 degrees.
This brings the total cooking time for air fried chicken to roughly 30 minutes.
While your chicken wings are cooking in the air fryer, it’s time to start your homemade teriyaki sauce. Of course, you don’t need to make a homemade sauce for a chicken wings recipe to till taste great, you can always buy pre-jarred for convenience. But, where is the fun in that?
Start by adding 1 cup of soy sauce to the skillet on medium heat. Then, add in 3/4 cup of brown sugar and whisk it around.
Then, add in the 2 cloves of garlic, which you can chop or mince. Once you’ve added the garlic, add:
Next, it’s time to thicken the sauce with a cornstarch and water mixture.
Make a cornstarch and water combination by adding 3 tbsp water and 2 tbsp corn starch. Mix thoroughly until it creates a milk like substance.
Cornstarch is often used as a thickening agent in sauces because it has the ability to create a smooth, silky texture when added to liquid. When cornstarch is added to a liquid, it helps to absorb the water and create a thicker consistency. This is why cornstarch is often used to thicken soups, gravies, and sauces.
When cornstarch is mixed with water, it forms a slurry that can be added to a sauce. As the sauce heats up, the cornstarch mixture will begin to thicken the liquid, creating a smooth and glossy sauce. This process is also known as “starch gelatinization,” which means that the starch molecules absorb water and swell up, creating a thickened mixture.
Another benefit of using a cornstarch water mixture in sauces is that it creates a stable emulsion. This means that the sauce will not separate or curdle when it is heated or cooled, which can be particularly useful when making sauces that require a long cooking time.
Once you’ve make the mixture, combine it to the soy based sauce.
Mix everything around and bring it to a boil. Once it starts to bubble, bring it down to simmer.
Lastly, add in your sesame seeds. Continue to let it simmer while the chicken wings cook, stirring occasionally before it’s time to combine.
Place wings in a large bowl big enough for mixing. For this, I would high recommend using some Metal Tongs, they are very convenient to have in general, but definitely for cooking chicken wings.
Pour your teriyaki sauce over the wings and mix thoroughly.
Garnish your air fryer teriyaki chicken wings with some additional sesame seeds, and even some chopped scallions if you’re feeling fancy. Enjoy!
