Sticky Lemongrass Chilli Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe

If you love bold, punchy flavors and crave irresistible finger food, these Sticky Lemongrass Chilli Air Fryer Chicken Wings are going to steal your heart (and taste buds!). Each golden wing is sticky, savory, citrus-bright, and has just the right tingling heat—perfect for sharing, but so good you may not want to.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a handful of simple ingredients for Sticky Lemongrass Chilli Air Fryer Chicken Wings, but each one brings something important—aroma, flavor, heat, or crunch. Let’s break down how every element works together to create wing perfection.

• Chicken wings (1 kg/2 lbs): Go for split wings for even cooking and extra crispiness. This is the meaty canvas for all that sticky goodness.
• Oil (1 tbsp): Keeps the wings moist and encourages caramelization in the air fryer.
• Soy sauce (3 tbsp): Brings that essential hit of umami and salt.
• Brown sugar (3 tbsp): Adds depth and helps those wings get irresistibly sticky and glossy as they cook.
• Lemon or lime juice (2 tbsp): Lifts all the flavors with a bright, citrusy tang—use what you prefer or have on hand.
• Garlic cloves (2): For that unmistakable aromatic backbone.
• Fresh ginger (2 tsp, grated): Gives the marinade warmth and complexity—don’t skip it!
• Red chilli (1): Adds heat and beautiful flecks of color; adjust the amount for your preferred spice level.
• Lemongrass stalk (1, roughly chopped): The signature fragrance—subtle citrus and floral notes that set these wings apart.
• Salt, to taste: Fine-tune the seasoning so every bite pops with flavor.
• Peanuts (1 cup, roughly chopped): Toasted for crunch and a little nutty-savory magic on top.
• Fresh red chilli (optional): Finely chopped for an extra punch and pop of color as a garnish.
• Spring onion/green onion (½ cup, finely chopped): Finishes the wings with color, crunch, and mild bite.

Variations

One of my favorite things about these Sticky Lemongrass Chilli Air Fryer Chicken Wings is how flexible they are—you can easily tweak them based on what’s in your kitchen or how spicy you want it. Here’s how to make them truly your own:

• No Peanuts: Swap out peanuts for cashews or sesame seeds for a different kind of crunch—or skip them entirely if you’re nut-free.
• Sweeter Sauce: If you love your wings extra sticky and sweet, add a drizzle of honey or more brown sugar to your sauce.
• Herby Finish: Toss in some fresh cilantro or Thai basil just before serving for a fragrant pop.
• Turn Up the Heat: Want them fiery? Add extra chilli or a spoonful of chilli-garlic paste to the marinade.
• Lighter Option: Use skinless chicken drumettes or thighs if you prefer less fat or want something a little different.

How to Make Sticky Lemongrass Chilli Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Step 1: Blitz the Marinade

Toss the oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, lemon or lime juice, garlic, ginger, chopped chilli, and lemongrass into your food processor or blender. Blitz until the mixture is smooth and fragrant—give it a quick taste and add salt if needed. This aromatic blend is where all the magic begins!

Step 2: Marinate the Wings

Pop the chicken wings into a big bowl and pour the marinade all over. Toss well so every piece is glossy and coated. Cover and chill—ideally overnight for super flavor, but even 30 minutes will make a huge difference.

Step 3: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection

Lay the marinated wings in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Cook at 200°C/390°F for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through. You want deep caramelization, sticky edges, and juicy meat that pulls right off the bone.

Step 4: Toast the Peanuts

While the wings sizzle, dry-toast your peanuts in a pan over medium heat (or use the oven) for five minutes, shaking often until golden and fragrant. This step transforms the peanuts, adding depth and that addictive finishing crunch.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Pile the hot wings onto a platter, then scatter generously with toasted peanuts, a shower of fresh spring onion, and extra chopped red chilli if you dare. Serve straight away, and watch them disappear!

How to Serve Sticky Lemongrass Chilli Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Garnishes

Finish your Sticky Lemongrass Chilli Air Fryer Chicken Wings with a festive flurry of toasted peanuts for crunch, fresh spring onion for color and zip, and thin slices of red chilli for that wow-factor heat and visual pop. Sometimes a spritz of fresh lime or a scattering of cilantro makes them feel extra special, too.

Side Dishes

These wings are total stars on their own, but love good company! Serve with fluffy jasmine rice, crisp Asian slaw, or quick pickled veggies for brightness. They also go fabulously with a big green salad or crunchy cucumber to cool things off between bites.

Creative Ways to Present

Pile the wings onto a rustic wooden board or arrange them in a concentric ring on a large platter so guests can grab and dip. For parties, pop skewers into each wing for easy finger food. Or, serve in mini parchment cones as a fun, festival-style snack!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you (miraculously) have any leftover Sticky Lemongrass Chilli Air Fryer Chicken Wings, cool them completely and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. They’re flavorful even cold, making sneaky refrigerator raids totally irresistible!

Freezing

To freeze, let the cooked wings cool, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to two months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best texture and flavor.

Reheating

Reheat wings in the air fryer at 180°C/350°F for 5-7 minutes, turning once. They’ll regain their sticky, crispy edge beautifully! Avoid microwaving if you can, as it softens the skin.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to turn your next batch of wings into something extraordinary, these Sticky Lemongrass Chilli Air Fryer Chicken Wings are calling your name. They’re fun to make, impossible to resist, and sure to be a new favorite—give them a try and let your kitchen fill with the scents of fresh herbs, citrus, and spice!

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