Description
These Crispy Dry Rub Chicken Wings are a flavorful and healthier alternative to fried wings, coated in a savory blend of spices and baked or air-fried to perfection. Perfectly crispy with a smoky, slightly sweet kick, they make an ideal appetizer or game-day snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Wings
- 2 pounds chicken wings (drummettes or split wings)
Dry Rub
- 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
- Cooking oil spray (olive oil recommended)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare wings: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat the chicken wings dry thoroughly using paper towels to ensure crispiness during cooking.
- Apply dry rub: Place the wings in a large bowl or plastic bag. Add the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss or shake well to coat the wings evenly with the dry rub mixture.
- Arrange wings on baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the coated wings out in a single layer to allow even cooking. Generously spritz the wings with cooking oil spray to help develop a crispy outer crust.
- Bake wings: Bake the wings for 20 minutes in the preheated oven. After 20 minutes, flip the wings over, spritz again with oil spray, and return to the oven to bake for an additional 10 minutes until the wings are crispy and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Alternative air fryer method: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Prepare the wings with the same dry rub as above. Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, spritz with oil, and cook for 15 minutes.
- Finish air frying: Flip the wings, spritz again with oil spray, and cook for a further 5 minutes. Ensure wings are crispy and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Notes
- Patting wings dry before coating is key to achieving maximum crispiness.
- Adjust the amount of chili powder to control the spice level to your preference.
- The dry rub can be prepared ahead and stored in an airtight container for quick use.
- Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature for food safety.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your oven or air fryer model.
- For extra crispiness, allow wings to rest on a wire rack placed over the baking sheet during baking.
