If you’re a fan of spicy dishes, you have to try these sweet habanero chicken wings made in an air fryer! Created by Kate Shungu, this recipe is perfect as a snack or a light meal for those who love a bit of heat.
Ingredients and Preparation
The wings get nice and crispy in the air fryer thanks to a special ingredient: baking powder. After they’re cooked, they’re coated with a homemade glaze that’s both sweet and spicy. The sweetness comes from honey, while habanero peppers give it a spicy kick. Habanero peppers are hotter than jalapeños, but not the hottest out there. However, they’re sure to add a nice heat to the wings. If you want them even spicier, we’ll show you how to amp up the heat, or tone it down if you prefer less spice.
You can serve these wings while watching sports, alongside a hearty Rotel queso dip and white chicken chili made in a slow cooker. They also pair nicely with a homemade creamy ranch dressing if you’re serving them as a main dish.
How to Make the Wings
To start, you’ll need chicken wings, which you can buy already cut into flats and drumettes, or you can cut them yourself. Season the wings with salt and a bit of baking powder to help them crisp up in the air fryer. For the glaze, you’ll need habanero peppers, honey, garlic powder, lime juice, and fresh cilantro.
First, put the wings in a big bowl and sprinkle them with salt and baking powder. Toss them so they’re evenly coated. Then, place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer, leaving some space between each one. You might need to cook them in two batches. Cook them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, then flip them and cook for another 5-8 minutes, or until they reach a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
While the wings are cooking, blend the habanero peppers, honey, garlic powder, and lime juice until smooth. Mix in the chopped cilantro afterward.
Once the wings are done, put them back in the bowl and pour half of the sauce over them. Toss them to make sure they’re well coated. Serve the wings warm with the remaining sauce for dipping.
Tips for Extra Crispy Wings
To get really crispy chicken wings, start by drying them with paper towels. The drier they are, the crispier they’ll be. Next, the baking powder helps make the skin crispy by creating tiny bubbles and raising the pH level. And finally, don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Give the wings enough space so the hot air can circulate well, which helps them cook evenly. You might want to stand the wings on their ends against the side of the air fryer to fit more in at once.
Depending on your air fryer’s size, you might need to cook the wings in a couple of batches. But the wait is worth it for those crispy wings!
Adjusting the Heat
If these wings are too spicy for you, try using just one habanero pepper in the sauce instead of three. You can also cut the peppers open and remove the seeds and membranes, which is where most of the heat is. If you’re feeling brave and want even more heat, keep the seeds and membranes, use more peppers, add another type of pepper, mix in some hot sauce, or sprinkle in some cayenne pepper for an extra layer of spice.
So, whether you like your wings super spicy or just a little hot, this recipe can be adjusted to suit your taste. Enjoy your cooking and the delicious wings!
