🍗 The CRISPIEST Air Fryer Wings + My 3 Ultimate Asian Wing Sauces 🏆🔥

Game Day isn’t complete without wings. They’re the ultimate appetizer—crispy, messy (in the best way), and perfect for dunking while cheering on your team. But here’s the twist: you don’t need a deep fryer to get that shatter-crispy bite. The air fryer makes it easier, less messy, and still delivers that irresistible crunch. Oh, and this recipe? 100% gluten free. That means everyone can dig in without worry.

How to Get Crispy Air Fryer Wings

The secret to crispy wings comes down to three steps:

1️⃣ Pat wings dry and season – Moisture is the enemy of crisp. Pat them dry, toss in garlic powder, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and baking powder. Then chill for 45 minutes—this helps the skin dry out and crisp up even more.

2️⃣ Egg whites + cornstarch magic – Dip wings in beaten egg whites, then coat in cornstarch mixed with a little extra baking powder. This combo creates that crunchy outer layer that mimics deep-frying.

3️⃣ Stage 1: Preheat the air fryer. Cook wings 15 minutes at 350–360 °F, flipping once midway. After flipping, lightly spray the wings with oil to encourage browning.

Stage 2: Increase temperature to 400–425 °F and cook 4–8 minutes, flipping once halfway and misting both sides with oil if desired, until skin is deep golden and crisp.

Pro tip: Always give your wings space on the rack. Don’t crowd them—air circulation is what makes them crisp.

This blog post is brought you by Cafe Casino. 

Gluten-Free Goodness

Traditionally, wings get tossed in flour before frying. Here we swap in cornstarch, which is naturally gluten free. You still get that crunchy texture, but without any wheat. So whether you’re avoiding gluten by choice or necessity, these wings check the box while still tasting like the real deal.

The Ultimate Trio of Asian Wing Sauces

Sure, crispy wings are great on their own, but the sauces are what make them legendary. Here are my three go-tos:

✨ Garlic Teriyaki Sauce

A balance of salty, sweet, and garlicky. Sticky, glossy, and downright addictive.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup soy sauce

• ½ cup mirin

• 2 tbsp brown sugar

• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced

Instructions:

1. Add soy sauce, mirin, and brown sugar to a saucepan.

2. Simmer over medium heat until sugar dissolves.

3. Stir in garlic and cook on low for 8–10 minutes until slightly thickened.

4. Let cool—it will thicken as it rests.

🌶️ Korean Soy Garlic Sauce

Savory, sweet, and a little heat from gochujang—this one’s inspired by the famous Korean fried chicken shops.

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp soy sauce

• 3 tbsp honey

• 2 tbsp rice vinegar

• 1-2 tbsp gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)

• 3–4 cloves garlic, finely minced

• Optional: ½ tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water (slurry) to help thicken.

Instructions:

1. In a pan, mix soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, gochujang, and garlic.

2. Simmer until flavors meld.

3. Add cornstarch slurry if you want it thicker and glossy.

🔥 Spicy Bang Bang Sauce

Creamy, sweet, tangy, and with a fiery kick. Perfect for dipping or tossing.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup mayo

• ½ cup sweet chili sauce

• Juice of ½ lime

• Sriracha, to taste

Instructions:

1. Whisk everything together in a bowl.

2. Taste and adjust heat with more sriracha.