Cajun Chicken Wings

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: air fried chicken wings, cajun chicken wings

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Servings: servings

Calories: 457kcal

Author: Colleen Kennedy

Love chicken wings?? Give this Cajun Chicken Wings recipe a try, full of flavor without being too spicy! Choose to air fry or bake, both ways work and taste great!

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Ingredients

3 pounds chicken wings
avocado or olive oil
Cajun seasoning or use the blend below
2.5 TBS smoky paprika
2 TBS kosher salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
2 TBS onion powder
2 TBS garlic powder
If you want more heat than the pepper and paprika, add in some cayenne pepper.
1.5 TBS Cajun seasoning more or less to taste
1 TBS baking powder this is added specifically for making air fried or oven baked chicken wings. I add this if making air fried or oven roasted chicken breasts/legs/thighs as well using this blend.

Instructions

Pat your (separated) chicken wings as dry as you can get them. Allow them to sit at room temp for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile combine spices and baking powder together in a bowl and whisk until evenly incorporated.
If oven baking preheat oven to 425 degrees. If using air fryer preheat at 390-400 for 4-5 minutes.
Drizzle a very small amount of avocado or olive oil (1 teaspoon or less) onto your wings that had been patted dry. Toss with your clean hands.
Scatter half of seasoning blend or all Cajun seasoning onto the wings and toss. Then sprinkle the 1.5 TBS Cajun seasoning on and toss again.
For oven - Place wings on a cooling rack or wire rack over a parchment paper lined baking sheet and place in oven, bake for 45-60 minutes, turning halfway through.
For AF - Place as many as will fit - without crowding - don't let wings touch. and air fry for 20 minutes, turning halfway through. Repeat (remember the second batch will crisp more so check after 17 minutes or so for doneness).
Enjoy!

Notes

If you have time, after patting wings as dry as you can. You can always set them on a wire rack atop a baking sheet in your fridge for a couple hours for drying even more. Pat again with paper towels when you pull them before seasoning.

You can always make or use more seasoning since chicken wing size varies or you are making 4-5 pounds etc. Save extra unused / untouched seasoning in a mason jar for next time.

OPTIONAL - To take these wings OVER THE TOP! Make a quick pan sauce of 1 stick butter, 2 TBS Cajun seasoning, 2 TBS garlic paste, a squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of honey. Cook till it begins to bubble. You may just lose your mind :)

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