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Looking for a delicious wing recipe that is packed with flavor? Make these Dry Rub Air Fried Wings!

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for desired heat level)
  • 2 pounds chicken wings (I recommend using drummettes/split wings)
  • 1/3-1/2 cup all-purpose flour (enough to coat the wings evenly)
  • Cooking oil spray

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken

  • Begin by patting down the chicken wings with paper towels to get rid of the extra moisture.
  • Set aside in a large bowl while we prepare the seasoning and flour.

2. Season the Chicken

  • Mix together the smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, sea salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Add the flour and seasoning mix into a paper bag and shake to combine. Once its mixed well, add in the wings and shake to coat wings in seasoned flour mixture.

3. Preheat the Air Fryer

  • Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.

4. Arrange the Wings

  • Arrange the seasoned wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Lightly spritz the wings with oil spray.

5. Air Fry the Wings

  • Air fry the wings for 15 minutes at 400°F. Halfway through, open the air fryer, flip the wings, and spritz with a little more cooking oil spray.
  • Continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes or until the wings are golden, crispy, and cooked through.

6. Check for Doneness

  • To make sure your wings are safe to eat, check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer. The wings should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

7. Serve and Enjoy

  • Once wings reach 165°F internal temp and are crispy, remove from air fryer and enjoy!

Tips for Perfect Wings:

  • For Extra Crispy Wings: After coating the wings with the dry rub, let them sit for 10-15 minutes before air frying. This allows the seasoning to really soak in.
  • Adjust the Heat: Add more cayenne pepper if you want your wings to be extra spicy.
  • Don’t Skip the Oil Spray: A light coating of oil spray helps give the wings that perfect golden crisp without needing deep frying.

15 Variations of Dry Rub Air Fried Wings:

  1. Lemon Pepper Wings: Swap the smoked paprika for 2 tbsp of lemon pepper seasoning. Add some lemon zest for extra zing.
  2. Buffalo Dry Rub Wings: Mix in 1 tbsp of dried buffalo seasoning and a pinch of cayenne for that classic hot wing flavor without the sauce.
  3. Garlic Parmesan Wings: Replace the paprika with 2 tbsp of grated Parmesan cheese and 1 extra tsp of garlic powder. Finish with fresh parsley.
  4. BBQ Spice Wings: Use 1 tbsp of BBQ seasoning, smoked paprika, and brown sugar for a sweet, smoky twist.
  5. Cajun Wings: Add 1 tbsp of Cajun seasoning for a kick of heat with some New Orleans flair.
  6. Jerk Wings: Use 1 tbsp of jerk seasoning mix (with allspice, cinnamon, and thyme) for a taste of the Caribbean.
  7. Honey Mustard Wings: Mix 1 tbsp mustard powder and 1 tsp honey powder into the rub for sweet, tangy wings.
  8. Ranch Dry Rub Wings: Replace Italian seasoning with 1 tbsp of ranch seasoning. Ranch lovers will love this one!
  9. Chipotle Lime Wings: Add 1 tbsp chipotle powder and the zest of one lime for smoky, spicy wings with a tangy finish.
  10. Old Bay Wings: Substitute Italian seasoning with 1 tbsp of Old Bay seasoning for a seafood-inspired flavor twist.
  11. Asian Five-Spice Wings: Use 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder along with 1 tbsp soy sauce powder for an aromatic Asian flavor profile.
  12. Sweet & Spicy Wings: Combine 1 tbsp brown sugar with 1 tsp chili powder for a perfect balance of sweetness and heat.
  13. Maple Cajun Wings: Add 1 tbsp maple sugar and Cajun seasoning together to create a rich, spicy-sweet flavor.
  14. Smoked Wings: Use 1 tbsp smoked paprika and 1 tsp liquid smoke in the seasoning mix to get that classic smoky BBQ flavor without the smoker.
  15. Sriracha Lime Wings: Mix 1 tsp sriracha powder with lime zest and extra cayenne for a hot, tangy wing that’s packed with flavor.

15 Options to Serve with Dry Rub Air Fried Wings:

  1. Ranch Dressing: A classic pairing, especially for wings with heat. The cool creaminess balances the spice.
  2. Blue Cheese Dressing: Another creamy dip that complements bold, spicy wings.
  3. Celery Sticks: The crisp crunch of celery is a perfect counterbalance to the savory, spicy wings.
  4. Carrot Sticks: A fresh and crunchy veggie side that lightens up the meal.
  5. French Fries: Whether crispy, curly, or sweet potato, fries are always a favorite with wings.
  6. Coleslaw: A tangy, creamy slaw adds a refreshing contrast to the spice and crispiness of the wings.
  7. Mac and Cheese: Creamy, cheesy, and rich, mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food side.
  8. Potato Wedges: These thick, crispy wedges are perfect for dipping in sauces alongside the wings.
  9. Cornbread: A sweet slice of cornbread goes beautifully with the smoky, spicy flavor of dry rub wings.
  10. Biscuits: Fluffy biscuits can help soak up the flavor of the wings and any sauce on the plate.
  11. Garlic Bread: Crunchy, buttery garlic bread is a flavorful addition to your wing meal.
  12. Onion Rings: The crunchy, golden rings offer a savory, satisfying pairing for wings.
  13. Pickles: The tart and tangy flavor of pickles works well with the heat of spicy wings.
  14. Baked Beans: Smoky, sweet baked beans are a hearty side that pairs perfectly with wings.
  15. Corn on the Cob: Grilled or boiled, corn on the cob adds sweetness and texture to your wing platter.

Dry Rub Air Fried Wings Recipe

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 10 minutesCook time: 15 minutesRest time: 5 minutesTotal time: 30 minutesServings:4 – 6 servingsCalories: kcal Best Season:Available

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Begin by patting down the chicken wings with paper towels to get rid of the extra moisture. Set aside in a large bowl while we prepare the seasoning and flour.
  2. Mix together the smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, sea salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Add the flour and seasoning mix into a paper bag and shake to combine. Once its mixed well, add in the wings and shake to coat wings in seasoned flour mixture.
  3. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
  4. Arrange the seasoned wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Lightly spritz the wings with oil spray.
  5. Air fry the wings for 15 minutes at 400°F. Halfway through, open the air fryer, flip the wings, and spritz with a little more cooking oil spray. Continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes or until the wings are golden, crispy, and cooked through.
  6. To make sure your wings are safe to eat, check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer. The wings should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
  7. Once wings reach 165°F internal temp and are crispy, remove from air fryer and enjoy!

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