These Cajun wings are flavorful, super crispy and delicious! Perfect for game day, family night or pretty much any time. Cajun dry rub wings are easy to make and satisfy that craving for some heat.
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If you are looking for the best Cajun wings, you are in luck! These Cajun dry rub wings are packed full of flavor and can be prepared in multiple different ways including deep fried, air fryer or baked (oven). Great Cajun wing recipe for an appetizer, dinner or game day snack.
Speaking of chicken wings, I have to admit I am a bit obsessed. If you love chicken wings, be sure to check out these Honey Lemon Pepper Wings, Brined Chicken Wings, Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings and THE MOST AMAZING Wing Sauce (the perfect combo of spicy and sweet).
You can also reheat wings in air fryer for the perfect crispy wing the day after!
Why this recipe works
- These Cajun wings can be prepared using a variety of cooking methods including deep fryer, air fryer or oven baked.
- Cajun dry rub wings are an easy appetizer for game day or family night. With these Cajun wings sauce is not necessary. The chicken wing dry rub works all the magic.
- You can adapt these wings to a healthier version by air frying or baking (Cajun baked chicken wings) vs. fried Cajun wings. They are always super crispy and delicious.
Ingredients
Chicken Wings: I recommend using Chicken Wingettes and Drumettes to make these Cajun wings. They are a smaller version and cook up crispy and delicious.
- Smoked or Sweet Paprika
- Onion Powder
- Italizan Seasoning
- Brown Sugar
- Black Pepper
- Kosher Salt
- Cayenne
- Flour (Optional)
Cajun Dry Rub Chicken Wings Instructions
Important Note on Cook Times
- The size of chicken wings, cooking method and brand of deep fryer, oven and air fryer, etc. will vary cook times.
- For safety: FDA recommends cooking to internal temperature of 165oF.
- Cook times for Cajun hot wings will vary with drumettes/wingettes (smaller) vs. larger drumstick style wings you will find in many grocery stores.
Deep Fryer Chicken Wings
- Set aside ¼ of seasoning (without flour).
- Place wings in bag with seasoning and refrigerate for one hour prior to deep frying. This allows seasoning to penetrate. Do not skip this step if deep-frying.
- 375°F for 8 minutes. Check internal temperature and cook for additional 1-2 minutes or more, as needed.
- Once wings are done, sprinkle Cajun dry rub wings with extra seasoning (no flour).
- Enjoy Cajun wings with dipping sauce of choice (ranch or blue cheese) and sliced celery and carrots.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Place wings in bowl and coat thoroughly with seasoning.
- Optional: Refrigerate for one hour prior to allow seasoning to penetrate further.
- Cook on 400°F for 7-9 minutes. This may be enough time for small wings (drumettes/wingettes). However, be sure to check internal temperature.
- Flip and cook for additional 1-2 minutes or more, as needed (may be up to 6-8 minutes additional for larger wings).
- Enjoy Cajun wings with dipping sauce of choice (ranch or blue cheese) and sliced celery and carrots.
Oven Baked Chicken Wings
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place wings in bowl and coat thoroughly with seasoning.
- Optional: Refrigerate for one hour prior to allow seasoning to penetrate further.
- Cook on 400°F for 40 minutes. For smaller wings, check internal temperature around 20 minutes.
- For extra crispy, cook for an additional 30 minutes at 175°F.
- Enjoy Cajun dry rub wings with dipping sauce of choice (ranch or blue cheese) and sliced celery and carrots.
What makes the perfect chicken wing?
There are a few aspects that make the perfect chicken wing. First of all, you want your wing to be cooked through, juicy inside and crispy on the outside.
It should also be seasoned well. You can accomplish this with a great dry rub or even a simple salt and pepper seasoning.
Lastly, you want to have a great chicken wing sauce. Some people opt for a more traditional buffalo wing sauce using a base of butter and hot sauce or you can use a more exciting sauce that is sweet and spicy, Cajun dry rub wings, Asian style or honey lemon pepper.
FAQ and expert tips
Cajun wings are as spicy as you want to make them. The main spicy component in Cajun wings is cayenne pepper which you can increase or decrease based on your spice preferenced.
Wingstop uses a proprietary seasoning blend to make their Cajun wings.
Cajun wings can be considered keto depending on your carbohydrate allowance. If you omit the brown sugar from the recipe, they are keto compliant.
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Cajun Wings
Equipment
Ingredients
Chicken Wings
Cajun Dry Rub Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon smoked or sweet paprika
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (dark or light)
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cayenne
- 1 tablespoon (Optional) flour for more of a “breaded” wing style
Instructions
Important Note on Cook Times
- The size of chicken wings, cooking method and brand of deep fryer, oven and air fryer, etc. will vary cook times.
- For safety: FDA recommends cooking to internal temperature of 165oF.
- Cook times will vary with drumettes/wingettes (smaller) vs. larger drumstick style wings you will find in many grocery stores.
Deep Fryer Chicken Wings
- Set aside ¼ of seasoning (without flour).
- Place wings in bag with seasoning and refrigerate for one hour prior to deep frying. This allows seasoning to penetrate. Do not skip this step if deep-frying.
- 375°F for 8 minutes. Check internal temperature and cook for additional 1-2 minutes or more, as needed.
- Once wings are done, sprinkle with extra seasoning (no flour).
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Place wings in bowl and coat thoroughly with seasoning.
- Optional: Refrigerate for one hour prior to allow seasoning to penetrate further.
- Cook on 400°F for 7-9 minutes. This may be enough time for small wings (drumettes/wingettes). However, be sure to check internal temperature.
- Flip and cook for additional 1-2 minutes or more, as needed (may be up to 6-8 minutes additional for larger wings).
Oven Baked Chicken Wings
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place wings in bowl and coat thoroughly with seasoning.
- Optional: Refrigerate for one hour prior to allow seasoning to penetrate further.
- Cook on 400°F for 40 minutes. For smaller wings, check internal temperature around 20 minutes.
- For extra crispy, cook for an additional 30 minutes at 175°F.
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