Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Vietnamese-style Sauce
The air fryer has become a practical staple in many American households, offering affordability, ease of use, and quick cleanup while speeding up the cooking process. If you loved my baked Vietnamese-style lemongrass chicken wings, you wouldn’t want to miss today’s recipe. Join me as we explore the Air Fryer Vietnamese Chicken Wings world, unlocking the secrets to achieving a crispy golden texture and sensational flavor. We’ll aim for juicy, crispy perfection, and I’ll also share my recipe for a sweet, tangy, and savory dipping sauce featuring lime, fish sauce, and other delightful ingredients. Get ready to satisfy your cravings with this finger-licking good recipe that will leave you yearning for more.
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As a traditional Cantonese woman, I usually favor steamed or stir-fried dishes; I’ve always been cautious about consuming fried food for the sake of my health.
However, with the rise in popularity of air fryers, I decided to try it, and I’m thrilled with the results. Air frying has become my go-to method for enjoying the crispy texture I used to associate only with deep frying but in a much healthier way.
Lately, my family and I have enjoyed my air-fried recipes, such as air-fryer tofu and super crispy air fryer Cantonese-style pork belly. You need to try them as well.
The speed and efficiency of the air fryer have allowed me to create a wide range of delicious dishes for my family. I’m excited to share this air-fryer recipe with you today :
The mouthwatering Air Fryer Chicken Wings with my special Vietnamese-style dipping sauce.
You have gotta try this recipe today!!!
Recipe Snapshot
EASE: 45 minutes to crispy, flavorful wings – a quick and easy dinner win!
PROS: Enjoy the same deep-fried deliciousness with minimal oil, making it a healthier choice.
CONS: Batch cooking might be needed. Warning: Kids will fight for these wings.
WOULD I MAKE THIS AGAIN? Definitely making them again and again.
Why you’ll love this chicken wings recipe?
This air fryer Vietnamese-style chicken wings recipe offers a delicious, healthier, and convenient option for wing lovers who crave a crispy, flavor-packed experience. Here are just a few reasons you should make this for your family tonight:
- Crispy Texture: Unlike baked or grilled wings, these air-fried wings are coated with a special mixture of starch and baking powder; these wings achieve an irresistible golden crunch that surpasses other cooking methods.
- Flavorful seasoning: The dry rub seasoning makes the flavor of these wings unbelievably good. It adds a unique twist to the traditional soy sauce marinate in most Asian wings recipes.
- Healthier Option: The air fryer method achieves a delightful crunch without excessive oil compared to deep frying. It’s a healthier alternative that still satisfies your cravings.
- Time-Saving: Air fryers cook food faster than conventional ovens, making them ideal for busy individuals. You can enjoy your delicious wings in no time with shorter cooking times.
Why should you make these chicken wings in an air fryer instead of a deep fryer?
Using an air fryer, you can enjoy healthier wings with less oil consumption, which means fewer messes and lingering odors in your kitchen. There are no risks of hot oil splatters and the hassle of deep frying. The best part? Air fryers cook wings faster, allow precise temperature control, and make cleanup a breeze. It’s a modern and convenient cooking method that ensures deliciously crispy wings without compromising taste and crispy texture.
What is the taste difference between air-fried compared to baked chicken wings?
Air Fried Method:
These wings are cooked using an air fryer, which uses hot circulating air to crisp up the wings. This method requires a minimal amount of oil, resulting in a healthier option compared to deep frying. Air-fried wings tend to have a crispy exterior with a juicy interior, resembling the texture of deep-fried wings.
Baked Method:
These wings are cooked in a traditional oven. They are typically coated with a sauce marinade and baked at a higher temperature. Baked wings can still be flavorful but may not achieve the same crispiness as air-fried wings. If you do not like this air-fried version, feel free to head over to my Vietnamese Lemongrass chicken wings post and try the baked version instead.
What are your secret techniques for making these wings so crispy?
The secret to making crispy air fryer wings is combining a few key factors. Following these tips, you can achieve perfectly crispy wings with your air fryer.
- First, using a coating mixture that includes ingredients like cornstarch, flour, and baking powder helps create a light and crispy texture.
- Secondly, ensuring proper spacing between the wings allows for even heat distribution and optimal crispiness.
- Lastly, spraying the wings with oil spray and flipping the wings halfway through the cooking process promotes even browning on all sides.
Ingredients that you’ll need to make this air-fryer recipe:
The choice of protein:
Chicken Wings and drumsticks: These are stars of the show, but don’t limit yourself! This recipe can be substituted using chicken thighs, tenders, breasts, pork chops, or tofu for various delicious options.
Dry seasoning ingredients:
These ingredients create a delicious blend of flavors that elevate the wings to new levels of deliciousness.
- Garlic & onion powder – Add depth and savory notes
- White Pepper – Adds mild heat.
- Sea Salt – Provides a balanced seasoning that enhances the natural taste of the chicken.
Flour coating ingredients:
The flour mixture ingredients play crucial roles in achieving the desired texture and crispiness of the air-fried chicken wings. Together, these ingredients create a perfectly balanced coating that delivers that satisfying crunch you crave in air-fried chicken wings.
- Cornmeal – Adds a slight crunch and texture to the coating.
- All-purpose flour – Helps to bind the ingredients together and create a light, crispy crust.
- Cornstarch – Further enhances the crispiness and provides a smooth texture.
- Baking powder – Acts as a leavening agent, helping the coating to become airy and crispy when cooked.
Vietnamese-style dipping sauce ingredients:
The dipping sauce adds a flavor that perfectly complements the air-fried chicken wings. Together, these ingredients create a harmonious and delicious dipping sauce that enhances the overall taste of the air-fried chicken wings, adding a delightful twist to each bite.
- Red boat fish sauce: provides a savory umami base. The Red Boat brand is my go-to fish sauce.
- Lime: adds a tangy and refreshing element
- Garlic Cloves: adds depth and aromatic notes
- Brown sugar: brown sugar brings a touch of sweetness to balance the flavors
- Fresno chili pepper: adds a mild heat
- Cilantro: Contributes a fresh herbal taste
Don’t know how to use these Asian sauces & condiments?
Check Out My Chinese Pantry Essential Guide To Learn More
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
Ten easy steps to make these finger-licking good chicken wings:
Step 1: Start by thoroughly washing your chicken wings and drumsticks, then use a paper towel to gently pat them dry, ensuring a clean and dry surface.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, and sea salt to create your flavorful dry rub mixture.
Step 3: Transfer your chicken wings and drumsticks to the large bowl and generously rub them with the dry rub mixture, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Set them aside for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to marinate and penetrate the meat.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, combine the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and baking powder to prepare the breading mixture. You can use a food processor to pulse these starch ingredients a few times for a finer and well-combined texture. This step ensures a smooth and even coating for your chicken wings.
Step 5: Coat each seasoned wing and drumstick with the breading mixture, ensuring an even and thorough coating. This technique is vital to achieving a crispy skin texture. Once coated, place them neatly on a baking sheet, ready for the next step.
Step 6: Before air frying your chicken, it’s crucial to lightly spray nonstick cooking spray on both the surface of the air fryer basket and the wings and drumsticks. This prevents sticking and helps achieve that desired crispy texture.
Step 7: When placing your chicken in the air fryer basket, ensure they are not overcrowded. Leave space between each piece to allow proper airflow. It may be necessary to cook them in batches, avoiding the temptation to add them all at once. This ensures thorough cooking and prevents any wings from becoming soggy.
Step 8: Set your air fryer to 400°F/200°C. Cook the wings for a total of 30 minutes, but start with 15 minutes for even browning. Then, flip each piece over and cook for an additional 15 minutes to ensure they are perfectly cooked until golden brown on all sides. Once done, transfer the wings to a metal cooking rack to rest for a few minutes, avoiding direct contact with the baking tray to maintain their crispiness.
Step 9: While the wings are cooking or resting. It is time to make this fragrant and delicious Vietnamese dipping sauce. You can make this sauce in a food processor or with a mortar & pestle.
- Food processor method: It’s as easy as can be. Add water, fish sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and a squeeze of lime juice to the small food processor. Pulse a few times until well mixed. For the Fresno chili pepper and cilantro, chop them finely and garnish the wings for a visually appealing presentation.
- Mortar & Pestle method: If you have a Mortar & Pestle at home, use it for the best flavor. Start by grinding brown sugar and garlic into a paste, then add fish sauce, water, and lime juice. Enhance the flavor with diced Fresno chili pepper and chopped cilantro. Use the remaining pepper and cilantro as a garnish for the wings.
Step 10: After cooking in the air fryer for 30 minutes, your wings are ready to be enjoyed! I recommend placing them on a bed of fresh lettuce for an appealing presentation and to maintain their crispy texture. Lettuce adds visual appeal and is a barrier to prevent condensation from making the wings soggy. Whether serving them as game-day snacks or pairing them with a bowl of white rice for a comforting entrée, these wings will satisfy your appetite.
Recipe tips and tricks
- Cook in batches: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket by leaving some space between the wings. This allows for proper airflow and helps achieve optimal crispiness.
- Pat dry the skin: For a crispy and golden texture, use clean paper towels to thoroughly pat dry the skin and remove excess moisture before applying the dry rub.
- Prevent sticking: To prevent the wings from sticking to the basket, lightly spray cooking oil on both the basket and the wings before air frying. This not only prevents sticking but also enhances the overall crispiness.
- Flip halfway through cooking: Flip the wings halfway through the cooking process using tongs or a spatula for even browning and crispiness.
- Adding a bed of lettuce: A trick I learned from Chinese restaurants serves as a practical solution. The lettuce is a barrier, creating a layer to separate the plate and the fried wings. This clever technique helps absorb any excess moisture and oil, effectively preserving the desired crispiness of the wings. By using lettuce, you can maintain the texture and enhance the overall presentation of the dish.
- About the dipping sauce: This versatile sauce can be used as a dip or tossed with the wings. However, if you’re not planning to finish all the wings immediately, it’s best to avoid tossing them in the sauce to prevent sogginess. Additionally, not tossing the wings allows flexibility for those who may prefer to enjoy them without the sauce. The wings are still delicious and flavorful on their own. Enjoy the wings and the sauce separately for optimal freshness and crispiness.
Storage Tips
- Freeze for later: Prepare and apply the dry rub to your wings, then freeze them until needed. Hold off on adding the coating until you’re ready to cook.
- Reheating your wings: Avoid microwaving fried wings. Instead, use the air fryer or toaster oven to reheat them at 375F for a few minutes until they regain their hot and crispy perfection.
FAQs about air-fryer chicken wings with Vietnamese-style sauce:
You may also like these delicious Asian recipes:
In Conclusion
These Air Fryer Chicken Wings with tantalizing Vietnamese-style dipping sauce are a game-changer. The combination of succulent chicken wings cooked to crispy perfection and the explosion of flavors from the tangy, sweet, and savory dipping sauce will leave you craving more. The air fryer has revolutionized how we enjoy fried food, offering a healthier and more convenient alternative without compromising taste. So, why don’t you try this recipe and experience the magic of this air-fried goodness in your kitchen?
Let’s indulge in this finger-licking delight tonight. Happy cooking!
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Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Vietnamese-style Sauce
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Discover the world of Air Fryer Vietnamese-style Chicken Wings! Achieve a crispy golden texture and sensational flavor. Learn my secret recipe for a sweet, tangy, savory dipping sauce. Get ready for finger-licking goodness that will leave you craving more.
Ingredients
3 Lbs – Chicken Wings and drumsticks
Dry rub ingredients:
1/2 Tablespoon of Garlic powder
1/2 Tablespoon of Onion powder
1 Teaspoon of White Pepper
1/2 Tablespoon of Sea Salt
Coating ingredients:
6 Tablespoons of Cornmeal
3 Tablespoons of All-purpose flour
4 Tablespoons of Cornstarch
1 Teaspoon of Baking powder
Vietnamese-style dipping sauce:
2 Tablespoons of Fish sauce
1 Medium size Lime (Juice of lime)
4 to 6 cloves of garlic
2 Tablespoons of Brown sugar
2 Tablespoons of Water
Garnishing:
1 Fresno chili pepper – Diced
A hand full of Cilantro – Chopped
(Note: you can add half of the amount and mix them into the sauce)
Instructions
Instructions –
Step 1: Start by thoroughly washing your chicken wings and drumsticks, then use a paper towel to gently pat them dry, ensuring a clean and dry surface.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, and sea salt to create your flavorful dry rub mixture.
Step 3: Transfer your chicken wings and drumsticks to the large bowl and generously rub them with the dry rub mixture, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Set them aside for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to marinate and penetrate the meat.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, combine the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and baking powder to prepare the breading mixture. You can use a food processor to pulse these starch ingredients a few times for a finer and well-combined texture. This step ensures a smooth and even coating for your chicken wings.
Step 5: Coat each seasoned wing and drumstick one by one with the breading mixture, ensuring an even and thorough coating. This technique is key to achieving a crispy skin texture. Once coated, place them neatly on a baking sheet, ready for the next step.
Step 6: Before air frying your chicken, it’s crucial to lightly spray nonstick cooking spray on both the surface of the air fryer basket and the wings and drumsticks. This prevents sticking and helps achieve that desired crispy texture.
Step 7: When placing your chicken in the air fryer basket, ensure they are not overcrowded. Leave space between each piece to allow proper airflow. It may be necessary to cook them in batches, avoiding the temptation to add them all at once. This ensures thorough cooking and prevents any wings from becoming soggy.
Step 8: Set your air fryer to 400°F/200°C. Cook the wings for 30 minutes, but start with 15 minutes for even browning. Then, flip each piece over, and cook for an additional 15 minutes to ensure they are perfectly cooked until golden brown on all sides. Once done, transfer the wings to a metal cooking rack to rest for a few minutes, avoiding direct contact with the baking tray to maintain their crispiness.
Step 9: While the wings are cooking or resting. It is time to make this fragrant and delicious Vietnamese dipping sauce. You can make this sauce in a food processor or with a mortar & pestle.
Food processor method: It’s as easy as can be. Add water, fish sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and a squeeze of lime juice to the food processor. Pulse a few times until well mixed. For the Fresno chili pepper and cilantro, chop them finely and garnish the wings for a visually appealing presentation.
Mortar & Pestle method: If you have one at home, use it for the best flavor. Start by grinding brown sugar and garlic into a paste, then add fish sauce, water, and lime juice. Enhance the flavor with diced Fresno chili pepper and chopped cilantro. Use the remaining pepper and cilantro as a garnish for the wings.
Step 10: After cooking in the air fryer for 30 minutes, your wings are ready to be enjoyed! I recommend placing them on a bed of fresh lettuce for an appealing presentation and to maintain their crispy texture. Lettuce adds visual appeal and is a barrier to prevent condensation from making the wings soggy. Whether serving them as game-day snacks or pairing them with a bowl of white rice for a comforting meal, these wings will satisfy your appetite.
Notes
Try different starches for coating: Substitute cornmeal or cornstarch with tapioca or potato starch, adding baking powder for crispy wings.
Explore various proteins: This versatile method works with pork chops and tofu.
Cook in batches: Avoid overcrowding for optimal crispiness.
Pat dry and prevent sticking: Dry the wings, and spray with oil to prevent sticking.
Flip the wings halfway: Flip for even browning.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Asian Cuisine
- Method: Air-Frying
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Keywords: Air fryer, Air fried chicken wings, Vietnamese- style, fish sauce, lime, game day snacks, Asian comfort food, Asian dinner ideas, crispy chicken wings
