Fitness / February 9, 2024

Easy Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Wings

Gluten-free and lower calorie, it’s easy to love these tender, crispy and juicy wings.

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We love chicken wings, and we never tire of finding new, healthier ways to prepare them. Here we’ve used almond flour for the breading and the air fryer as the cooking method, and we’re really pleased with how they came out.

The almond flour brings these wings an irresistible crunch and has a rich, nutty flavor. It also holds on to the all the flavors in the spice mixture, making the addition of BBQ sauce unnecessary.

Are Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Wings Healthy?

Chicken wings are not the healthiest cut of chicken, but that doesn’t mean that wings can’t be a part of a healthy, balanced diet. We cook these in the air fryer which is much healthier than traditional frying, and we coat them in almond flour which makes them more filling, reducing the portion size for a satisfying meal. Cover half your plate with raw veggies with a low calorie home-made dip, and you’ve got yourself a pretty healthy meal.

Almond Flour

Almond flour is, as the name suggests, made from a single ingredient: ground almonds. It’s gluten-free, and it also holds a host of other health benefits – it contains lots of protein and healthy fats, fibre, and it won’t spike your blood sugar, making it a great choice for diabetics. It contains many vitamins and minerals. It is higher in calories than regular flour or breadcrumbs, but is much more nutritionally dense than those simple carbs that contain empty calories.

Almond flour also contributes to satiety, the feeling of fullness. This lets you reduce your portion size and keeps you feeling full longer, reducing the temptation to reach for “just one more”.

It’s a wonderful ingredient and worth exploring for baking, sauces and applications like this one. Do store it in the fridge though, it’ll prolong the shelf life.

INGREDIENTS

1 lb of free-range chicken wings
2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil a healthier alternative to vegetable oil
1/2 cup of almond flour a gluten-free, lower-carb option
1 teaspoon smoked paprika for that smoky flavor
1 teaspoon garlic powder for a hint of garlic
1 teaspoon sea salt less processed than table salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne for a little kick
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper for depth

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat and Prep

Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400 F. This ensures your wings will cook evenly and get that desirable crispy texture.

Oil and Toss

In a large bowl, gently toss the chicken wings with the olive oil. This not only helps the breading stick but also adds a layer of flavor and ensures a golden finish.

Mix the Breading

Whisk together the almond flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, cayenne, and black pepper in a separate bowl. This blend of spices will give your wings a deliciously seasoned crust.

Bread the Wings

Coat each wing in the almond flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Lay them out on a plate as you go. Remember, a light coating gives the best crunch!

Air Fry to Perfection

Arrange the wings in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for air circulation. Cook for 14-16 minutes, flipping halfway through. They’re done when they’re crispy and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Serve and Enjoy

Serve these mouth-watering wings straight from the air fryer with a side of celery sticks and your favorite dipping sauce, like a homemade avocado ranch or a tangy yogurt-based dip.

Tips and Tricks to Make Perfect Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Wings

Coat the wings lightly with the almond flour mixture for maximum crunch.
Don’t let the wings overlap in the air fryer for the same reason: airflow around each wing is necessary for the ultimate texture.
Flip the wings carefully to prevent the coating from flaking off.
If you’re using a temperature probe to test for doneness, avoid touching the bone and probe the thickest part of the drumette.

FAQs

I’m allergic to nuts!

Never fear. You can use panko or regular breadcrumbs in place of the almond flour. They will no longer be gluten-free, but the upside is they will have slightly fewer calories.

Can I coat these in sauce?

You can, but we love the crispy, crunchy texture of these wings. If you’re craving a sauce, we recommend dipping these wings over tossing them in sauce. But the choice is yours.

Does this work with other cuts of chicken?

It sure does, this basic method will work with any cut-off of the bird. Try using inexpensive and juicy drumsticks, thighs for that boneless wing vibe, or strips of breast for chicken fingers.

Can I make different flavors using this method?

Absolutely. Curry powder, Chinese five-spice, Lebanese 7-spice, chili powder – they all work. Master the basic method and there’s no end to the delicious flavors you can create.

Serving Suggestions

We avoid pairing this relatively high-calorie dish with fried sides like french fries or onion rings – we suggest that you cover at half your plate with cut-up raw veggies with a simple, 0% Greek yogurt-based dip.

Make Ahead and Storage

These wings are best enjoyed right out of the air fryer, but you can prep and coat them in advance. You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to three days… reheat for a few minutes in the air fryer to bring back that irresistible crunch. These wings don’t freeze particularly well.

Easy Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Wings

(Gluten-free and lower calorie, it’s easy to love these tender, crispy and juicy wings.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 282kcal

Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

1 lb of free-range chicken wings
2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup of almond flour
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Preheat and Prep: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
Oil and Toss: In a large bowl, toss the chicken wings with the olive oil.
Mix the Breading: Whisk together the almond flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, cayenne, and black pepper in a separate bowl. Trust me you will love this seasoned crust.
Bread the Wings: Coat each wing in the almond flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Lay them out on a plate as you go.
Air Fry to Perfection: Arrange the wings in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for air circulation. Cook for 14-16 minutes, flipping halfway through. They’re done when they’re crispy (if you have a fancy meat thermometer, target an internal temperature of 165°F).
Serve and Enjoy: Serve straight from the air fryer with a side of celery sticks and your favorite dipping sauce, like a homemade avocado ranch or a tangy yogurt-based dip.