Name: Crispy Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings (No Deep Frying!)
Prep time: 120 min
Cook time: 25 min
Ingredients: 12 mid-joint chicken wings; 4 slices fresh ginger; 1 tbsp cooking wine; 2 tbsp light soy sauce; 1 tbsp oyster sauce; 1 tbsp five-spice powder; to taste (salt and freshly ground black pepper); 50 g all-purpose flour; 50 g cornstarch; 1 tbsp salt and pepper seasoning powder; 2 eggs; a few sprays of cooking oil

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These crispy salt and pepper chicken wings are insanely good—crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with flavor! The best part? No deep frying needed. If you love chicken wings like I do, you’re going to be obsessed with these!

Why you’ll love this recipe

Super crispy without needing to deep fry
Loaded with bold salt & pepper flavor
Uses everyday pantry ingredients
Air fryer-friendly and mess-free
Perfect for parties, snacks, or dinner
Easy marinate-and-cook process

Ingredients

For the chicken wings:

12 mid-joint chicken wings
4 slices fresh ginger
1 tbsp cooking wine
2 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp five-spice powder
to taste, salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the coating:

50 g all-purpose flour
50 g cornstarch
1 tbsp salt and pepper seasoning powder
2 eggs

For air frying:

a few sprays of cooking oil

Instructions

Prepare the wings

Use a fork or a toothpick to poke a few small holes in each chicken wing. This helps the marinade soak in better.

Marinate
In a large bowl, combine the chicken wings with ginger slices, cooking wine, soy sauce, oyster sauce, five-spice powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly. Cover and marinate at least 2 hours, or overnight for maximum flavor.

Make the coating
In a separate bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt and pepper seasoning powder until well combined. In another bowl, beat the eggs.

Coat the wings
Dip each marinated wing into the beaten egg, then dredge it in the flour mixture until evenly coated.

Air fry
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Place the coated wings into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Lightly spray the tops with cooking oil.
Air fry for 25 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through and spraying a little more oil on the other side.

Serve
Let the wings rest for a minute or two after cooking. Serve hot with lime wedges or your favorite dipping sauce!

Note

You can use pre-mixed salt & pepper seasoning powder available in Asian grocery stores, or make your own with a mix of salt, white pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, and chili flakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bake these instead of air frying?
Yes! Preheat your oven to 400°F, place wings on a lined baking tray, and bake for 30–35 minutes, flipping halfway. Use a wire rack for extra crispiness.

What’s in salt and pepper seasoning powder?
It usually contains salt, white pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, and sometimes chili flakes. You can mix your own or use store-bought.

Can I use drumettes or wing tips?
Absolutely. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time slightly depending on the size of the wings.

How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 320°F for 5–8 minutes to restore crispiness.