Crispy Dry Rub Chicken Wings

Looking for how to season chicken wings? This Crispy Dry Rub recipe has the best homemade spice blend. These party wings have the flavor of smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, and more.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken wings I use drummettes/split wings.
  • 1/3-1/2 cup all-purpose flour Use enough to fully coat the wings.
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar or brown sweetener
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • cooking oil spray I use olive oil.

Instructions

Oven and Baking Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  • Pat the chicken dry and place it in a large bowl or plastic bag.
  • Add the flour and all of the spices to the chicken. Ensure the chicken is fully coated.
  • Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and add the wings. Spritz the chicken wings with cooking oil.
  • Bake the wings for 20 minutes and then open and flip the wings. Spritz with cooking oil. Bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the chicken is crisp and cooked through. Ensure the chicken reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Air Fryer Instructions

  • Pat the chicken dry and place it in a large bowl or plastic bag.
  • Add the flour and all of the spices to the chicken. Ensure the chicken is fully coated.
  • Place the chicken in the air fryer basket. Spritz the chicken with cooking oil.
  • Air fry for 15 minutes on 400 degrees.
  • Open the air fryer and flip the chicken. Spritz the chicken with cooking oil. Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the chicken is crispy and cooked through. Ensure the chicken reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Notes

  • As a rule of thumb, when applying a rub you should apply enough to fully coat the chicken or meat. You don’t want to see any empty spots. Add more spices if necessary.
  • You can substitute regular paprika if you wish, but the smoked paprika definitely takes these to the next level.
  • You can swap the all-purpose flour for baking powder. You can use 1-2 tablespoons of baking powder (enough to fully coat the chicken). You can also omit flour completely and make naked chicken wings.
  • You can use actual wings (instead of drums and flats) if you wish, you may need to adjust the number of ingredients needed to fully coat your wings.
  • Salt is key for adding additional flavor to the wings. I typically use 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon for this recipe. I generally allow readers to salt to taste and their preference, considering what their diet allows. Keep in mind, the spices alone will provide flavor, but it needs to be amplified with salt.
  • Start with 1/4 cup of flour and add additional flour if necessary. The chicken should be fully coated.
  • If you see white areas of flour on the wings, spritz the areas with oil.
  • Foil can be substituted for parchment paper while baking. Your cook time may change, so keep an eye out on the wings while they bake. They will need to reach a minimum temperature of 165 degrees.
  • Want to make them spicy? Add Srirarcha, cayenne pepper or Cajun Seasoning. So good! I typically add 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons.

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