How Long To Deep Fry Chicken Wings

How Long to Deep Fry Chicken Wings

Different factors like the size of your wings, the temperature of your oil and whether you have frozen or raw chicken wings will determine how long it takes for them to get perfectly crispy.

Generally speaking, for crispy chicken wings you’ll want to start frying them at around 350 degrees Fahrenheit and give them about 7-10 minutes per batch.

Larger wings and frozen wings might need an extra minute or two to ensure the thickest part of the meat is cooked. Just be sure to keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.

Keep reading below for cook times for frying wings the right way and at the right temperature.

How Long to Deep Fry Thawed Chicken Wings

While you can cook wings from a frozen state, starting with thawed chicken wings will yield the best results. It’s a fast method that helps ensure even cooking because the inside temperature of the uncooked chicken is the same as the outside.

Follow the steps below for the most effective cooking method for raw chicken pieces.

1. Preheat your vegetable oil in a large saucepan or deep fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re frying the wings on the stove top in a sauce pan, deep frying pan or large skillet, make sure you have enough oil to totally cover the wings (at least 2 inches). You should test your oil temperature with a heat-safe thermometer.
   
2. Pat the wings dry, then carefully add the thawed chicken wings to the hot oil. Don’t overcrowd the fryer.
   
3. Cook wing in small batches for about 7 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked thoroughly to 165 degrees. To test the internal temperature, remove a wing from the oil and insert a food thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. DO NOT test the wings while they are submerged in the oil.
   
4. Remove the fried wings from the oil and place them in a single layer on paper towel to absorb excess oil.
   
5. Season wings with salt, black pepper or a little bit of your favorite seasoning. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

How to Deep Fry Frozen Chicken Wings

If you are working with frozen pieces of chicken, you’ll want to follow these general guidelines.

1. Preheat oil in a large saucepan or deep fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re frying the wings on the stovetop, make sure the oil is deep enough to cover the wings. Test the oil temperature with a heat-safe thermometer.
   
2. Carefully place the frozen chicken wings in the hot oil. If ice crystals are present, it may cause the oil to spatter. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown and cooked thoroughly to 165 degrees. Test the internal temperature by removing a wing from the oil and inserting a food thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. DO NOT test the wings while they are submerged in the oil.
   
3. Remove the cooked wings from the oil. Place on paper towels to absorb any extra oil.
   
4. Season the wings and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

How to Deep Fry Safely

When deep frying, it is important to use a few safety precautions and best practices.

• Use a pot or deep fryer with at least 2″ deep oil so that the food has room to move around and doesn’t touch the bottom.
• Make sure to heat the oil to the proper temperature before adding the food. This will help ensure that the food is cooked properly and does not taste greasy. 
• Carefully and slowly add wings to the hot oil to avoid splashing. Frozen wings with ice crystals or thawed wings with water on them can cause excess spattering when hitting the hot oil.
• Always use the best oil for deep frying, such as vegetable, peanut or canola oil. These oils have a high smoke point and will not break down at high temperatures.
• Be sure to drain the wings on paper towels after cooking to remove any excess oil.
• Cook wings to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F to avoid foodborne illness. Use a food-safe thermometer to measure the thickest part of the meat. Always remove food from hot oil before testing the temperature.

How to Air Fry Chicken Wings

Air frying is also a great option for chicken wings. It’s a better option if you’re looking to avoid the hot oil and extra calories.

Air Fry Raw and Frozen Chicken Wings

Follow these general guidelines to air fry frozen chicken wings or raw chicken wings. Raw wings can be prepared with olive oil and your favorite seasonings before cooking.

• Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Add the frozen or raw chicken wings in a single even layer.
• Cook for about 25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked thoroughly. Be sure to shake the air fryer basket a few times during cooking to ensure even cooking. 

Air Fry Precooked Frozen Chicken Wings

If the frozen chicken wings are precooked, you can shave off some of the cook time. You’re basically using the air fryer to reheat them.

• Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
• Add a single layer of precooked frozen wings to the air fryer.
• Cook them for around 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked to 165 degrees F.  Again, be sure to shake the air fryer basket so you can be reassured that the chicken wings are cooking evenly.

Dipping Sauces For Chicken Wings

Great chicken wings deserve great dipping sauces! Here are a few to try:

• Barbeque sauce
• Ranch dressing
• Blue cheese dressing
• Honey mustard
• Hot sauce
• Teriyaki sauce
• Garlic parmesan sauce
• Sour cream and onion dip
• Sweet and sour sauce
• Buffalo Wild Wings sauces
• Franks Red Hot sauce
• TGIFridays Signature Whiskey sauce
• Sweet Baby Rays Wing sauce
• Asian zing sauce

Get more inspiration with these Wingstop sauces and dry rubs.

sides to serve with chicken wings

When it comes to sides to serve with chicken wings, you can never go wrong with some classic french fries. But if you’re looking for something different, here are a few more ideas:

• Onion rings
• Waffle fries
• Loaded mashed potatoes
• Potato wedges
• Baked mac and cheese with breadcrumbs
• Chicken and waffles
• Coleslaw
• Hot jalapeno corn dip
• Baked beans
• Cornbread
• Jalapeno cheese cornbread
• Celery and carrots
• Stuffed peppers
• Potato salad
• Coleslaw
• Caesar salad or garden salad

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can you deep fry frozen chicken wings without thawing? Can you cook chicken wings from frozen?

A. You can deep fry frozen chicken wings from frozen, without thawing. The cooking time for frozen wings will be a little longer. Just be sure to cook until the internal temperature is 165 degrees F.

Q. Is it better to deep fry chicken wings without thawing?

A. There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Some people prefer to deep fry chicken wings without thawing because they feel it results in a crispier wing. Others prefer to thaw the chicken wings before frying to ensure even cooking and less grease splattering. Ultimately, it is up to personal preference.

Q. How long does it take to deep fry precooked frozen chicken wings?

A. If your frozen wings are precooked, they will take less time. It usually takes about 5-7 minutes to deep fry precooked frozen chicken wings. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the wings.

Q. How long does it take to deep fry frozen chicken wings?

A. It usually takes about 8-10 minutes to deep fry frozen chicken wings. Keep in mind, the time will vary on the size of your chicken wings.

Q. Are frozen chicken wings good?

A. Most people really enjoy frozen chicken wings when cooked correctly. They can be deep fried, air fried or baked. All of these methods will result in delicious chicken wings and even resemble restaurant-quality wings. In fact, most restaurant wings are deep-fried from frozen!

Q. How do you defrost chicken wings quickly and safely?

A. There are three ways to defrost chicken wings safely. Unfortunately, leaving the wings sitting on the counter is not one of them!

Use one of these methods to safely thaw your wings:

1. Place them in an airtight plastic bag in the refrigerator for 4-5 hours or overnight.
2. You can also use the defrost setting on your microwave.
3. Place wings in an airtight plastic bag, then submerge in a bowl of cold water until thawed. This could take 30 minutes or more. Refill with cold water every 10 minutes or so to keep at a food-safe temperature.

Q. What is the best way to cook frozen chicken wings?

A. Most people want delicious, crispy wings. Deep frying will give you the ultimate crispiness and flavor. The air fryer will also provide a crispy texture with fewer calories and fat.

You can also bake chicken wings in the oven and achieve a crisp texture by putting them under the broiler after cooking for 2-3 minutes. Watch them closely if you choose this option, though. They can burn fast under the broiler.