Kenji’s Crispy Oven-Fried Wings – Foolproof, Extra Crunchy!
Published on Mar 16, 2025
Want restaurant-quality crispy wings at home? Kenji López-Alt’s oven-fried technique delivers the crunch you crave—no deep fryer needed!
I'm in LOVE with hot wings specifically the flats.
If I go out to eat there is a > 80% chance I'm going to just order wings a salad or fries. Call me boring but I do it because I just could never make them as good at home. I have a convection oven which is basically an air fryer. They should be delicious but often just end up soggy and sad.
This made no sense to me, I've read stories about people making delicious wings in their air fryer. I had to be missing something.
Well it turns out I was missing a few key things which I discovered watching one of my favorite chefs Kenji López-Alt.
Kenji's wing recipe originated with a technique for making chicken with crispy skin developed back in 2009 while the editor of Serious Eats. He updated the technique in a YouTube video which I've shared below.
🔥 Key Takeaways: The Secret to Extra-Crispy Oven Wings
If you want truly crispy wings, here’s what makes all the difference:
- 🌡 Use air-chilled chicken – It retains less moisture than water-chilled wings, leading to better crisping.
- 🧂 Baking powder + salt combo – This draws out moisture and creates a crispy, bubbly crust.
- 🔥 Elevate wings on a rack – Airflow around the wings ensures they crisp evenly, avoiding sogginess.
- 🏆 Pat wings completely dry before seasoning to remove excess surface moisture.
- ⏳ Let wings rest in the fridge for at least 4 hours (overnight is best!) for max crisp.
I encourage you to watch and subscribe to his channel. If you love Kenji's recipe, check out this great
Kenji’s Extra Crispy Baked Wings
The secret to these delicious wings is to let the rest for 4 hours and as much as over night. The baking powder, salt, and cornstarch work their magic to make the wings get crispy in the oven.
Ingredients
- 2.5 pounds air chilled chicken wings, separated into drumettes and flats
- 2.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 2.5 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2.5 teaspoons cornstarch
- 4 tablespoons Cayenne hot sauce
- 4 tablespoons of butter
- 4 cloves of minced garlic
Directions
- Pat the wings dry with paper towels and place into a large mixing bowl.
- Sprinkle with the baking powder, salt and cornstarch. 1 teaspoon of each per pound of chicken.
- Toss the wings to ensure that they are evenly coated.
- Place foil on a baking sheet, place a baking rack on top of the baking sheet.
- Spread the wings evenly on the baking rack.
- Chill the wings for 4 hours to overnight
- Reheat your oven to 450 degrees F. Place rack in upper-center of the oven.
- Bake until golden brown, crispy and cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes
- Meanwhile, place butter and garlic into pan.
- Let butter and garlic simmer for a few moments being careful not to brown the garlic.
- Add about 4 tablespoon of hot sauce, more to taste.
- When wings are finished, transfer them to a new bowl, pour sauce into the bowl and toss.
❓ FAQ: Crispy Wings Tips & Tricks
Why do you use baking powder for crispy wings?
Baking powder raises the pH level of the chicken skin, which speeds up browning and helps moisture evaporate more quickly. This creates an ultra-crispy texture.
Can I use baking soda instead of baking powder?
No! Baking soda has a much stronger alkaline effect and can give your wings a weird metallic taste. Stick with baking powder.
How long should I let my wings rest in the fridge?
For best results, 4 hours to overnight. This lets the baking powder work its magic and removes moisture for better crispiness.
What’s the best dipping sauce for these wings?
Classic buffalo sauce (butter + hot sauce) is a top choice, but you can also try:
- Honey sriracha
- Garlic parmesan
- Sweet chili glaze
Can I make these wings in an air fryer?
Yes! Cook at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
By making these small tweaks, you’ll get restaurant-quality wings straight from your oven—no deep frying needed. Try the recipe and let me know how it turns out! 🍗🔥
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