Description

Deliciously sticky and flavorful lemongrass chili chicken wings cooked to perfection in an air fryer. These wings are marinated in a vibrant blend of soy sauce, brown sugar, fresh ginger, garlic, and lemongrass, then air fried until caramelized and crispy. Topped with crunchy toasted peanuts, fresh chili, and spring onions, this recipe delivers a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors in a healthy, quick cooking method.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Wings

1 kg (2 lb) chicken wings
1 tbsp oil
3 tbsp soy sauce
3 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice or lime juice
2 garlic cloves
2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1 red chili
1 stalk lemongrass, roughly chopped
Salt, to taste

Toppings

1 cup peanuts, roughly chopped
1 red chili, finely chopped (optional)
½ cup spring onion/green onion, finely chopped

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Instructions

Prepare the Marinade: In a food processor or blender, combine the oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, lemon or lime juice, garlic cloves, grated ginger, red chili, and lemongrass. Blend everything until it forms a smooth marinade. Add salt to taste and mix well.
Marinate the Chicken Wings: Place the chicken wings in a large bowl, then pour the prepared marinade over them. Toss to coat all wings evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes; for best flavor, marinate overnight.
Cook the Wings: Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (390°F). Arrange the marinated chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. Air fry the wings for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are caramelized, crispy on the outside, and cooked through.
Prepare Toppings: While the wings cook, toast the roughly chopped peanuts in a dry skillet or oven until golden brown and fragrant. Set aside.
Serve: Once the wings are cooked, transfer them to a serving plate. Sprinkle the toasted peanuts, finely chopped red chili, and spring onions over the top. Serve immediately and enjoy the combination of sticky, spicy, and crunchy flavors.

Notes

Marinating the wings overnight enhances the depth of flavor but 30 minutes is sufficient for a quicker option.
You can adjust the amount of chili depending on your preferred spice level.
Use fresh lemongrass for the best aromatic flavor; if unavailable, you can substitute with 1 tsp lemongrass paste.
Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow even cooking and crispiness.
Leftover wings can be reheated in the air fryer to maintain their crispiness.