Spicy & Sweet Air Fryer Chicken Wings & Drumettes
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings & Drumettes with Buldak Sauce
Today, we’re making delicious spicy and sweet chicken wings and drumettes using an air fryer! This recipe offers a perfect balance of crispy exterior and juicy interior, enhanced by the popular Buldak stir-fried noodle sauce. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly easy to make at home. For more details, check out the blog: ▶ https://bit.ly/2sFvQuu
Chicken- 800g Chicken Wings & 800g Chicken Drumettes (1.6kg total)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper (freshly ground is great)
- 2g Instant coffee powder (helps tenderize and reduce gamey smell)
- A little chopped green onion (for garnish)
Buldak Sauce Ingredients- 1 packet Buldak Stir-fried Noodles (use the liquid soup packet)
- 60g Gochujang-based sweet chili sauce (base for spicy-sweet flavor)
- 45g Corn syrup or Oligosaccharide (for gloss and sweetness)
- 30g Plum extract or syrup (adds a refreshing tang)
- 15g Chili oil (for color and heat)
- 45g Cooking wine or Mirin (removes odor and tenderizes)
- 30g Gochugaru (Korean chili powder) – adjust for desired heat
- 15g Worcestershire sauce (for depth of flavor)
- 50g Minced garlic (for a rich garlic aroma)
- 1 packet Buldak Stir-fried Noodles (use the liquid soup packet)
- 60g Gochujang-based sweet chili sauce (base for spicy-sweet flavor)
- 45g Corn syrup or Oligosaccharide (for gloss and sweetness)
- 30g Plum extract or syrup (adds a refreshing tang)
- 15g Chili oil (for color and heat)
- 45g Cooking wine or Mirin (removes odor and tenderizes)
- 30g Gochugaru (Korean chili powder) – adjust for desired heat
- 15g Worcestershire sauce (for depth of flavor)
- 50g Minced garlic (for a rich garlic aroma)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by thoroughly rinsing and patting dry the chicken wings and drumettes. Season them generously with salt and pepper (or herb salt for an extra layer of flavor). Sprinkle the instant coffee powder over the chicken and massage it in gently. Let it marinate for about 10 minutes to help tenderize the meat and eliminate any gamey odor.
Step 2
Arrange the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer in your air fryer basket, ensuring they aren’t overcrowded. Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F). Air fry for 10 minutes, then carefully flip the chicken pieces and air fry for another 10 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the size of the chicken pieces.
Step 3
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the flavorful Buldak sauce. In a mixing bowl, combine the gochujang-based sweet chili sauce, corn syrup, plum extract, chili oil, cooking wine, Korean chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic. Whisk everything together until smooth and well incorporated. Ensure there are no lumps for a perfectly consistent sauce.
Step 4
Now, add the liquid soup packet from the Buldak Stir-fried Noodles to your prepared sauce mixture. This ingredient is key to achieving that signature Buldak spicy flavor.
Step 5
Once the chicken is air-fried, transfer it to a skillet or wok. Don’t discard the drippings collected at the bottom of the air fryer basket – pour these flavorful chicken fats into the skillet as well. They will add an extra layer of richness to the final dish.
Step 6
The noodles from the Buldak Stir-fried Noodles packet will be incorporated into the sauce. Boil these noodles separately in plain water according to package instructions, but slightly undercook them (al dente). Drain them well. This prevents them from becoming mushy when stir-fried with the sauce.
Step 7
Pour about two-thirds of the prepared Buldak sauce over the chicken and drippings in the skillet. Add the par-cooked noodles to the pan. Stir everything together over medium heat, coating the chicken and noodles evenly with the sauce. Let it simmer and thicken, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has a glossy consistency and clings beautifully to the chicken and noodles. Be careful not to let the sauce burn.
Step 8
Once the sauce has thickened and coated everything nicely, add the chopped green onions to the skillet. Give it a quick toss to distribute the green onions throughout the dish. The fresh green onion adds a bright contrast to the rich, spicy sauce.
Step 9
Finally, plate your delicious Spicy & Sweet Air Fryer Chicken Wings & Drumettes. You can garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy this delightful homemade take on a popular Korean favorite!
