Air Fryer Recipe
Crispy Char Siu Glazed Chicken Wings
Char siu glazed chicken wings are a delightful treat, with the air fryer ensuring a perfectly crisp skin while setting the sugary glaze beautifully. The rapid convection of the air fryer is perfect for achieving that lacquered finish without leaving the chicken flabby.
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken wings, split into flats and drumettes, tips removed if attached
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine (or dry sherry)
- 2 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
- ½ tsp Chinese five-spice powder
- ¼ tsp ground white pepper
- 1½ tsp baking powder, preferably aluminium-free
- 1 tbsp cornflour
- 1 tsp neutral oil, such as sunflower or rapeseed
- 1 spring onion, finely sliced, to finish
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds, to finish
- 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp honey, or maltose if you have it
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce (or vegetarian mushroom stir-fry sauce)
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine (or dry sherry)
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 small cube red fermented bean curd plus 1 tsp of its brine, mashed (or 1 tsp white miso with a drop of red food colouring)
- ½ tsp sesame oil
- 1-2 tsp chilli oil or sriracha, optional
Method
- Pat the wings thoroughly dry with kitchen paper.
- In a large bowl, mix soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, ginger, garlic, five-spice, and white pepper. Toss in the wings until lightly coated. Leave for 20-30 minutes at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 8 hours.
- Drain off any liquid and blot the wings again. Sprinkle over baking powder and cornflour, then toss until no clumps remain.
- Preheat the air fryer to 190°C for 3 minutes if needed. Toss the wings with 1 tsp oil, then arrange them skin-side up in a single layer with small gaps between pieces.
- Air fry at 190°C for 12 minutes. Turn the wings, moving any paler pieces to the hotter edges. Increase to 200°C and cook for 7-10 minutes more, until the skin is crisp and the thickest pieces register at least 74°C.
- While the wings cook, combine all glaze ingredients in a small saucepan. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until glossy.
- Brush or spoon a thin layer of glaze over the wings, then air fry at 200°C for 2 minutes. Turn, glaze the second side, and cook for a further 1-2 minutes until sticky, shiny, and lightly charred.
- Rest the wings for 3 minutes in a warm bowl, then toss with any remaining glaze. Scatter with spring onion and sesame seeds before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 250
