Crispy Dry Rub Chicken Wings Recipe

Introduction

Crispy Dry Rub Chicken Wings are a flavorful and easy-to-make dish perfect for any occasion. They offer a smoky, sweet, and savory taste with a wonderfully crispy texture, achieved without deep frying. Whether baked or air fried, these wings make a delicious and healthier alternative that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds chicken wings (drummettes or split wings)
• 1/3 to 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (enough to fully coat the wings)
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar or brown sweetener
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking oil spray (olive oil recommended)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl or plastic bag, add the wings along with the flour, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss or shake until the wings are fully coated with the dry rub mixture.
3. Step 3: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the coated wings on the sheet in a single layer and spritz them generously with cooking oil spray.
4. Step 4: Bake the wings for 20 minutes. Remove and flip each wing, spritz them again with oil, then bake for an additional 10 minutes until crispy and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C).
5. Step 5: For air fryer cooking, preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Prepare wings with the same coating method. Place wings in the air fryer basket, spritz with oil, and cook for 15 minutes. Flip, spritz again, and cook for another 5 minutes until crispy.

Tips & Variations

• Patting the chicken dry before applying the rub helps the spices stick and ensures crispiness.
• Use a meat thermometer to check that wings reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• Adjust the heat by adding more chili powder or cayenne pepper for extra spice, or omit for a milder flavor.
• Swap all-purpose flour for baking powder for a gluten-free crispier coating.
• Make the dry rub in advance and store in an airtight container for quick meal prep.

Storage

Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until warmed through and crispy again. Avoid using a microwave to keep the skin crisp.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen wings for this recipe?

It’s best to use fully thawed wings to ensure even cooking and better coating adhesion. If using frozen wings, thaw them completely and pat dry before applying the rub.

What’s the difference between baking and air frying the wings?

Baking is convenient and requires less active attention, delivering crispy wings with minimal oil. Air frying cooks wings faster with a similar crispiness but uses rapid air circulation—it’s a great option if you want quicker results with less oil.

Crispy Dry Rub Chicken Wings Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 111 reviews

Crispy Dry Rub Chicken Wings deliver a perfectly balanced blend of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors with a satisfyingly crunchy exterior. This healthier alternative to traditional fried wings uses a simple dry rub and is baked or air fried to achieve maximum crispiness without excess oil. Ideal for game days, parties, or a flavorful weeknight dinner, these wings are easy to prepare and customizable to your heat preference.

• Author: Ella
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

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Chicken Wings

• 2 pounds chicken wings (drummettes or split wings)

Dry Rub Seasoning

• 1/3 to 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (enough to fully coat the wings)
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar or brown sweetener
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Additional

• Cooking oil spray (olive oil recommended)

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Wings: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) or air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Pat the chicken wings dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove any moisture, which helps the dry rub stick and ensures crispiness.
2. Coat with Dry Rub: In a large bowl or plastic bag, combine the flour, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken wings and toss or shake until they are fully and evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
3. Arrange and Oil Spray: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for oven cooking or place wings directly in the air fryer basket. Arrange wings in a single layer without overcrowding. Generously spritz the wings with olive oil cooking spray to promote crispiness and help the rub adhere.
4. Bake Wings: Bake wings in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, flip each wing over, spritz again with oil, and continue baking for another 10 minutes until they turn golden brown, crisp, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
5. Or Air Fry Wings: Cook wings in the preheated air fryer for 15 minutes. Flip the wings, spritz with oil again, and air fry for an additional 5 minutes until crispy and cooked through.
6. Check Doneness and Serve: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the wings have reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces or sides like coleslaw or sweet potato fries.

Notes

• Patting the wings completely dry before coating is crucial for achieving a crispy exterior.
• Use a meat thermometer to avoid undercooking or drying out the wings; 165°F (74°C) internal temperature is safe and ideal.
• Spraying wings generously with olive oil helps bind the rub and create a golden crust without deep frying.
• Flipping the wings halfway through baking or air frying ensures even crispiness on all sides.
• Customize the heat level by adjusting the chili powder or adding cayenne pepper according to your spice preference.
• These wings pair well with tangy coleslaw, cucumber salad, baked sweet potato fries, or creamy ranch and blue cheese dips.

Keywords: Crispy chicken wings, dry rub wings, baked chicken wings, air fryer wings, smoky wings, spicy chicken wings, healthy chicken wings