Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs chicken wings, party style
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Pat every wing thoroughly with paper towels until the skin feels tacky and completely dry to ensure the heat sears the skin immediately.
  2. In a large bowl, toss the dried wings with neutral oil until evenly coated.
  3. Sprinkle the cornstarch, kosher salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper over the wings. Toss vigorously until a thin, velvety coating forms.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  5. Arrange the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not crowded.
  6. Cook for 10–12 minutes, then flip each wing using tongs.
  7. Cook for another 8–10 minutes until the skin is mahogany-colored and crisp.
  8. Optional: Transfer hot wings to a bowl, toss with buffalo or BBQ sauce, and return to the air fryer at 400°F for 1–2 minutes to caramelize the sauce.