Fitness / June 8, 2024

Cornstarch Chicken Wings

The simplest and crunchiest chicken wings you’ll ever eat.

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There’s nothing quite like the first bite into a great chicken wing. The best chicken wing will be crunchy on the outside but juicy on the inside. But what’s the secret ingredient to achieving that combination? It’s cornstarch, which provides a nice coating that makes wings crunchy without making them dry. Of course, there is still room for other spices and flavors. But by using cornstarch, you can cook up crunchy wings from home.

Other than cornstarch, the secret to these wings is using both a conventional oven and an air fryer. For starters, neither method requires a lot of oil and grease. More importantly, oven-baked wings tend to be juicy but not crispy while air fryers produce crispy wings that aren’t always juicy. But by using both methods after rubbing the wings with cornstarch, you’ll have wings that are the best of both worlds. If you have both options available, this is the way to go.

Just keep in mind that this isn’t the only way to cook wings. There are plenty of recipes out there that wing lovers should try. For starters, there are air fryer buffalo wings. Wing lovers should also give Asian baked chicken wings a try. For those who can’t have traditional wings because of dietary restrictions, there are BBQ paleo wings in the slow cooker or buffalo cauliflower wings.

Are Cornstarch Chicken Wings Healthy?

Compared to other wings, cornstarch chicken wings have less fat and calories because they are cooked in an oven and air fryer. The chicken itself can also be a good source of protein. Overall, cornstarch chicken wings can be considered a healthier alternative to most other types of wings. However, the salt and cooking oil can add sodium to the recipe, which could be a concern for some people.

Spice and Sauce

To add a little extra flavor to your chicken wings, feel free to add some spices before cooking them or dipping sauces after cooking them. Spices like cayenne can give the wings a little kick while lemon pepper can be a milder flavor. Either way, mix that spice with the cornstarch and then toss the wings in that mixture so that they’re evenly coated. There are also many dipping sauces, including barbecue sauce, buffalo sauce, and teriyaki sauce that can add flavor to your chicken wings either before or after they cook.

INGREDIENTS

1 pound chicken wings
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
Cooking spray

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Ready oven and tray; season and coat wings.

Bake

Oven-bake wings until almost done.

Crisp

Finish in the air fryer for perfect crispiness.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

If there are leftover wings, allow them to cool and then store them in an airtight container. They should last in the fridge for at least three or four days.

Is cornstarch better than flour when coating wings?

Pure cornstarch is naturally gluten-free. Also, as long as you don’t deep fry the wings, cornstarch helps the wings come out crunchy.

Serving Suggestions

What goes better with chicken wings than pizza? However, to prepare a healthy meal that includes pizza, consider a low-carb crustless pizza or perhaps a cauliflower pizza with Greek yogurt pesto & grilled veggies. If the wings are the main course, try cooking air fryer potato wedges or roasted russet potatoes as the side dish. Finally, don’t overlook the need to have a vegetable as part of your meal. In that case, cumin roasted carrots or air fryer zucchini are both possibilities.

Crispy Cornstarch Chicken Wings

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 35

Total Time 40

Servings servings

Calories 256kcal

Author Bryan Zarpentine

Ingredients

1 pound chicken wings
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
Cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and place a greased baking rack on top.
Cut whole chicken wings at the joints to separate into flats and drumettes.
Season the chicken with salt and lightly dust with cornstarch.
Arrange the chicken on the baking rack, skin side up, and lightly spray with cooking spray. Bake for 30 minutes without flipping.
As the oven time nears completion, preheat your air fryer to 400°F and grease the basket.
Transfer the chicken to the air fryer, skin side up, spray again with cooking spray, and air fry for an additional 5 minutes until fully cooked.
Alternatively, you can continue baking the chicken in the oven for a total of 35-40 minutes instead of using an air fryer.