Kung Pao Chicken. Way Better than takeout. Crispy, savory, amazing flavor, and with less guilty feeling. 
Kung Pao Chicken Wings. East meets West. Homemade. Best of both worlds. Seriously, what are you supposed to name this other than fingerlickin’ good chicken? Just writing about it already made me craving for another batch. And I have no self control about that because it is so good.
WHAT DOES KUNG PAO TASTE LIKE?
It’s combination of almost everything. It’s a sweet, sticky, saucy with an extra kick. I’ve never thought making kung pao sauce would be this easy until I tried this recipe. And I’m sold. This secret sauce can be done ahead of time and you can refrigerate it for up to 2 weeks. And when you feel like having Chinese for dinner, simply chop your ingredients and use this stir-fry sauce. It’s one of my magic sauce at home.
And air fryer? Remember my air-fryed donut recipe here? Ever since I tried an air fryer, my life is pretty much sold. This is my sweetheart now and I am glad the hubs have the same thought. We’ve been air frying almost everything at home, including this chicken wings. Look at that ah-ma-zing texture! It’s crispy good with less guilty feeling.
For this recipe, I’m using CRUX Air Fryer which is a touchscreen air fryer that can help you cook up to 2.2 pounds of your favorite foods and up to 400°F and up to 60 minutes of cooking method. Not only it’s good looking, this air fryer is also easy to set up and clean up. And most importantly, it makes you food crispy good!
Father’s day is this weekend and if you’re still debating what to make, you should check out this Kung Pao Chicken Wings. And it’s also perfect for game day, potluck, gathering, or even ME-time. Whatever you’re celebrating, this fingerlicking kung pao chicken wings is a must-try recipe. Period.
Air-Fryed Kung Pao Chicken Wings
Ingredients
Kung Pao Sauce:
- 3 tbs cooking oil
- 2 tsp Sichuan peppercorn
- 1/4 cup chili pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 thumb ginger, minced
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tbs dark soy sauce
- 1 tbs low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbs Shaoxing wine
- 1 tbs cornstarch
Fried Chicken:
- 12 small chicken wings
- 2 cups low-fat buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- To make the sauce: Heat work or pan until hot and then pour in oil. Add in Sichuan peppercorn and chili pepper and fry for 1 minute.
- Lower the heat, then add garlic and ginger. Continue frying for 20-30 seconds or until fragrant. Stir in the rest of the sauce and dissolve cornstarch completely. Carefully add to the pan and cook until the sauce thickens. Set aside.
- To make the chicken: place the chicken and buttermilk in a sealable plastic bag, then leave it in the fridge to marinate for 1 hour.
- Preheat the air fryer to 360F. Spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine flour, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk and pat dry with a paper towel. Dredge in the flour, then place in the air fryer basket. Cook for 20 minutes, and flip. Repeat this process with the remaining chicken wings.
- Coat the chicken wings in kung pao sauce, and enjoy.
Now onto another exciting part, there’s an air-fryer giveaway. You’re so right! It’s happening here and one of you can win this air fryer.
Oh I so want an air fryer. Your recipe would be a hit with my family. They love food with a kick.
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Really interested in the prospect of air frying. I love making the ad hoc fried chicken but hate using all the oil it takes to deep fry chicken.
I’d like to make fried chicken and tater tots in the air fryer!
I would love to make chicken and funnel cake with it!
I’d love to make chicken!
I would want to make cinnamon rolls
i would make fried chicken. I’ve been wanting an air fryer for a while
I would make chicken wings and french fries (my husband’s favorites!) in an air fryer. Heck, I’d even cook broccoli in it! 🙂 I loved oven roasted broccoli, and cooking it in an air fryer would save me from turning on my oven in the hot summer!
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Yummm…will try this recipe ? thanks for sharing ?
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This looks absolutely delicious! My family loves Kung Pao. We will be trying this for sure.
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You have totally sold me on getting an air fryer (and the sauce) can not wait to try this recipe when I get an air fryer.
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I’m thinking to try baking these instead of air frying. Do you have any tips for baking? Thank you!
I’ve never tried an air fryer before, but I’m really intrigued after reading your post! The recipe looks great.
I haven’t jumped on the air fryer bandwagon yet, but your recipe is very convincing!! Love those flavours!
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They look super tasty