Chicken wings, especially Buffalo wings, are one of the most beloved foods across America. First debuted at the family-owned eatery called the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, back in 1964, these wings have become synonymous with celebration and good times. Every year on Super Bowl Sunday, Americans consume massive chicken wings, making it the official food of the biggest sporting event in the United States.
What makes these chicken wings so delicious? It’s all about that high ratio of skin to meat, making for a crunchy outside and juicy, tender inside when correctly fried. Any great cook knows that, like any other fried dish, having the right type of oil matters when frying up a batch of yummy wings.
To help guide you, we’ve broken down 7 options: vegetable oil, canola oil, peanut oil, lard, or butter. Each type has its own special properties, so try several before finding which one will give you your desired results. Dig into and learn more about those oils.
What is The Best Oil for Frying Chicken Wings?
When it comes to frying chicken wings, there is no one-size-fits-all answer for the best oil to use. The type of oil you choose depends on several factors, such as what flavor profile you aim for and how often you intend to fry. Here are some best oil to choose from:
1. Peanut Oil
Peanut oil is an incredibly versatile cooking option that offers several benefits for deep-frying. With its relatively high smoke point of 470°F, it is an excellent choice for fried chicken wings since it does not absorb the flavor and taste of foods cooked in it. Peanut oil is also pocket-friendly, making it highly cost-effective for larger cooking batches.
Being low in saturated fats and containing no trans-fat or cholesterol, peanut oil can also reap the health benefits of vitamin E while preserving the taste and crispiness of your favorite dishes.
To select the best peanut oil, it’s recommended to opt for refined peanut oil as it has a higher smoke point and minimal flavor transfer. Consider LouAna’s Peanut Oil, made specifically for deep frying and boasting a remarkably high smoke point ideal for keeping fried chicken wings perfectly crispy.
Also, thanks to its neutral flavor, you can fry several different types of food items simultaneously without worrying about flavor transfer. This makes this product a great pick if you prefer natural oils to artificially flavored ones – but with the same great result.
2. Canola Oil
Canola oil is a fantastic choice for the frugal home cook who needs to feed a crowd. This neutral-flavored oil comes from crushed canola seeds with a high smoke point of 400°F, making it ideal for deep-frying.
Whether you’re making chicken wings or flash-frying some vegetables, Canola oil won’t burn or smother the flavors of your dishes.Â
Not only that, but it is also an incredibly versatile cooking oil – you can use it to roast vegetables and even make dressings and marinades with it.
The Healthy Harvest Canola Oil in a gallon-sized jug will save you money if you want to fry large batches of items like whole chicken or turkey. Overall, Canola oil is an excellent value and should be a staple in every kitchen.
3. Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is perfect for those looking for a healthy and delicious cooking oil. With its high smoke point of up to 520°F, it can withstand the intense heat of both shallow and deep frying.
It is similar to olive oil and is extracted from the fatty fruit flesh, giving it a slightly sweet, nutty flavor that gets transferred directly onto the chicken wings. Compared to most other oils, avocado oil may be pricier but is much healthier due to its rich uncompromised source.
The 100% non-GMO BetterBody Foods Avocado Oil is a great choice for those on special diet plans such as paleo or keto. It contains no artificial additives or preservatives and does not undergo any hydrogenation or chemical refining processes —a severe health concern with other oils—making it pure and unadulterated in terms of quality. All these unique benefits come from an affordable, trusted, reputable brand; what more could you ask for?
4. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has attracted much attention lately due to its numerous health benefits and unique flavor profile. With its high smoke point of 350°F, it is perfect for frying chicken wings and other dishes to perfection while imparting a unique coconutty taste to the food.
Also, it contains no unhealthy trans fat and is a great source of medium-chain fatty acids, making it a great choice for those on keto or other diet plans.
If you’re looking for organic coconut oil that is cold-pressed and never refined, the Viva Naturals Coconut Oil is the ideal pick. It comes in a large tub and can be used for cooking and baking applications.
Moreover, unlike other oils, this one is not hydrogenated and contains no added flavors, making it a great choice for those who prefer natural ingredients.
4. Sunflower Oil
When it comes to cooking dishes that require a high smoke point, like fried chicken wings, choosing sunflower oil is an excellent option. It comes in two varieties, refined (neutral) and unrefined (buttery and nutty). Refined sunflower oil has a high smoke point of 450°F and is the preferred type for frying.
Sunflower oil is also a mid-range oil that can be substituted for any other vegetable oil. It’s suitable for searing, sautéing, or drizzling over finished dishes.
If you want to get the healthiest sunflower oil possible, try Healthy Harvest Non-GMO Sunflower Oil. Naturally processed oil does not involve chemical processing or damage to the seeds to extract the oil. This lets you reap all the benefits of using this versatile and healthy cooking option without worrying about unwanted additives.
5. Corn Oil
Corn oil is an incredibly versatile cooking oil used in many culinary applications. It is well-suited for deep-frying and shallow-frying as it has a very high smoke point of 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Its neutral flavor won’t overwhelm the flavors of other ingredients, allowing for total control of the overall taste. Corn oil is also widely available, making it easy to incorporate into everyday recipes.
Mazola Pure Corn Oil is an excellent choice when looking for a heart-healthy option for your kitchen needs. It has no cholesterol, making it much healthier than other cooking oils. Its light and mild flavor means it can be used in various ways, such as baking, sautéing, or frying.
Its versatility and affordability make this oil popular among home chefs and restaurants. With Mazola Pure Corn Oil in your pantry, you can feel good knowing you make a delicious yet healthy meal each time you cook.
How Long Should I Fry Chicken Wings?
Frying chicken wings is a popular way of preparing delicious finger food. To achieve perfectly fried chicken wings, it is important to keep careful cooking times and temperatures in mind. Using oil heated to 375 degrees F, allow the wings to fry for 10-12 minutes or until fully cooked.
When done, confirm that the skin is crispy, the juices run clear, and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat near the bone reads 165 degrees F. This will ensure that your chicken wings are tasty and safe to eat.
Frying can initially seem daunting due to all of these precautions, but with a little patience and practice, you’ll be rewarded with some delicious fried chicken wings. The time required may vary slightly depending on size and thickness.
If your wings still seem soft inside after 12 minutes of frying, leave them in for another minute or two until they reach perfection. Once your wings are properly cooked through, let them cool down before you serve them so that you can enjoy their full flavor.
How Can I Make Chicken Wings More Crispy?
Frying chicken wings to achieve a perfectly crispy texture can be a tricky endeavor, but there are several things you can do to ensure maximum crispiness. The type of oil you choose for frying is one of the most important elements in achieving crispy chicken wings.
For deep frying chicken wings, vegetable oil, peanut oil, and canola oil are excellent choices due to their high smoke points. Other oils, such as olive and sunflower, can also work, but their smoke points are lower and require careful monitoring.
Another key factor in achieving crispy chicken wings is ensuring the oil is hot enough before adding the wings. The ideal temperature for deep frying chicken wings is 375 degrees F. If the oil isn’t hot enough, the chicken will absorb too much, leading to soggy wings.
Frying chicken wings can be done with various oils for different flavor profiles, but vegetable oil, peanut oil, and canola oil are the best choices for the most crispy results due to their high smoke points. Preheat the oil before adding your wings, and monitor their temperature carefully to ensure you get perfectly crispy fried chicken wings.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
Chicken is the most variable thing to cook; you can try out many recipes with chicken wings. Frying it the most famous and testy one. Making it can be tricky if you don’t find the perfect oil to cook it. This is why I have discussed some oil for frying chicken wings above. However, just knowing about the oil is enough? No, you also need to know what people are generally looking for in this topic.
1. What Is The Best Oil For Frying Chicken Wings?
The best oil for frying chicken wings is vegetable oil with a high smoke point, such as peanut, canola, or vegetable shortening. These oils are all flavorless and will not interfere with the flavor of the chicken wings. Avoid olive oil as it has a low smoke point and can burn easily when frying.
2. Does Olive Oil Make Chicken Skin Crispy?
Yes, olive oil can make chicken skin crispy when used for frying. Olive oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids and has a higher smoke point than other oils, making it an ideal choice for frying.
When heated, the fat molecules in the oil reach their maximum expansion and cause the surface of the chicken skin to crisp up. The oil also helps to keep the moisture within the skin, which helps to ensure a perfectly crispy texture.
3. What Keeps Fried Chicken Crispy?
To keep your fried batches warm as you continue frying and adding to the rack, simply place them on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet. For multiple batches, you can also transfer the entire setup into a low oven.
4. Which Powder Is Used In An Indian Chicken Fry?
Indian fried chicken masala powders usually consist of a mix of traditional Indian spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric. On the other hand, Western-style fried chicken masala powders tend to use a range of different spices like paprika, thyme, black pepper, and garlic powder to create a distinctive taste.
5. Is It OK To Fry Chicken In Olive Oil?
Yes, it is perfectly safe to fry chicken in olive oil. In fact, olive oil is one of the best oils to use for frying chicken wings due to its high smoke point and neutral flavor. The smoke point of olive oil is relatively high at around 410°F (210°C), meaning that it can withstand higher temperatures without burning or smoking. This makes it a great choice for deep-frying chicken.
Conclusion
The best oil for frying chicken wings is vegetable oil, peanut oil, or canola oil due to their high smoke points. Be sure to preheat the oil before adding your wings, and monitor their temperature carefully to ensure you get perfectly crispy fried chicken wings. Olive oil can also be used for frying chicken wings, but it has a lower smoke point than other oils and requires more careful monitoring.
Meet our air fryer recipe expert, Jenny J. Brown. Jenny is a culinary enthusiast with a passion for creating healthy, delicious meals using the latest kitchen appliances. As an experienced home cook and food blogger, Jenny has spent years experimenting with air fryer recipes and perfecting her techniques to create meals that are both nutritious and satisfying.
