Quick Answer: How Do You Make Fried Chicken Wings Without Flour?

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If you don’t have flour on hand, there are a variety of alternatives you can use. The best substitute is cornstarch. For an equally crispy result, you can also swap out the flour for potato starch. For a lighter and airier crunch, bake your wings in the oven using rice flour. Alternatively, for a healthier option, opt for chickpea flour. Or, if you’re wanting a more unique texture, try replacing the flour with breadcrumbs. Lastly, in desperate times, you can also use pancake mix, or, completely omit the flour altogether and simply coat the chicken in your favorite spices.

Have you been craving something deep-fried and crispy as of late?

When you’re in the mood for a hearty meal that’s as filling as it is delicious, there’s nothing better than chicken wings.

When wing night rolls around in our house, let’s just say no one is disappointed.

Juicy, tender meat covered in a fried, crispy coating and dipped in your favorite sauce- what’s not to love?

For us, a good chicken wing is not only about getting the perfect flavor, it’s also about achieving the perfect texture.

If you’ve ever taken a bite into a wing and noticed the crunch factor was missing, you’ll know what we’re talking about.

In our opinion, the most iconic part of a chicken wing is the irresistibly crisp and delicious outer layer and getting this aspect just right when preparing wings is critical for optimal results.

So how exactly is this part made?

Typically, if you look at any wing recipe, it will call for a variety of spices as well as all-purpose flour. But what if you don’t have any flour on hand?

When you’re all ready to prepare dinner and suddenly realize you are missing a key ingredient, it can be frustrating.

If you find yourself in this situation and don’t have any flour in your kitchen, don’t worry. There are actually numerous alternatives that you can use that will provide you with equally delectable wings.

Whether you don’t have any flour on hand, or you have a gluten allergy, we are going to show you the top 5 best substitutes for flour when making wings.

Because what else are you going to snack on the next time the big game is on?

How To Make Fried Chicken Wings With Cornstarch

The best substitute for flour when breading wings is cornstarch.

Cornstarch will make your chicken just as crispy as when using all-purpose flour, plus it’s gluten-free.

This approach is super easy and combines two different cooking methods to create the perfectly crisped wing.

It does, however, require a few key steps to perfect, so make sure you check out the following table for step-by-step instructions.

Pro tips

Lining the baking sheet with foil will allow for an easier cleanup!

If you don’t have cooking spray, oil will also work.

Add just enough cornstarch so that it is lightly sprinkled.

You do not need to flip the wings over halfway as the bottom side doesn’t really crisp.

Greasing your air fryer with cooking spray isn’t necessary, but it will help to ensure your wings don’t stick.

Make sure the wings aren’t touching when you arrange them in the air fryer.

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can skip this step and simply cook your wings for 35-40 minutes in the oven.

However, if you do have one, we highly recommend it as it will make your chicken extra crispy!

Don’t forget to serve your wings with your favorite dipping sauce!

Your chicken is safe to eat when it has hit an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit/75 degrees Celsius.

RELATED: 18 Incredible Side Dishes You Can Serve With Chicken Wings

How To Make Fried Chicken Wings With Potato Starch

If you don’t have flour or cornstarch, potato starch is another great alternative.

When it comes to incorporating this into your wing recipe, potato starch actually follows the same steps as when using cornstarch.

Like cornstarch, potato starch is also gluten-free, vegan and will make your wings irresistibly crispy!

Just make sure to add a few of your favorite seasonings, as potato starch is fairly neutral in flavor.

How To Make Chicken Wings With Rice Flour

For another gluten-free option, rice flour works wonders when it comes to making chicken wings.

Rice flour is finer than all-purpose flour, which translates to a coating that is crispy, but more light and airy in texture.

This recipe requires a little longer than the previous one, but serves a larger crowd (about 6 people).

Here’s what you have to do:

Pro Tips

Ensure the wings aren’t touching when you arrange them on the baking sheet.

After you adjust the heat to 400 degrees, after 30 minutes, you can remove the wings from the oven and, if using a sauce, coat them and bake them for another 10 minutes.

Your chicken is safe to eat when it has hit an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit/75 degrees Celsius.

How To Make Chicken Wings With Chickpea Flour

Looking for a healthier alternative to all-purpose flour? Then chickpea flour is just what you need!

Chickpea flour not only has fewer calories than all-purpose flour, but it is also high in protein.

Chickpea flour tends to have an earthy flavor and is best used with wings when combined with other seasonings and a creamy component such as yogurt.

For a fabulous Indian-inspired wing recipe that can be prepared in either the oven or air fryer, check out this link https://spicecravings.com/tandoori-chicken-wings#recipe .

How To Make Chicken Wings With Breadcrumbs

For a fun alternative to all-purpose flour that will give your wings a delicious and unique texture, breadcrumbs are a must.

If cooked correctly, breadcrumb wings are juicy and tender on the inside, and delightfully crunchy on the outside.

This recipe uses the oven to achieve this and is ultra simple.

Here’s what you have to do:

Pro Tips

This recipe makes enough for 10 wings. If you are making them for a larger crowd, simply double the recipe.

In this case, however, they may take longer in the oven (more surface area to be heated).

Your chicken is safe to eat when it has hit an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit/75 degrees Celsius.

Another way of knowing your wings are done (if you don’t own a thermometer), is by cutting into one of them and checking if the juices are clear or not. If they are, your chicken is ready to eat.

RELATED: 35 Perfect Leftover Chicken Recipes To Cook In Kitchen

How To Make Chicken Wings With Spices

Sometimes, the kitchen is really looking sparse. If this is your current situation, you’ll be happy to hear that chicken wings can also be coated with just spices!

That’s right, no flour substitute necessary. Just mix together your favorite spices, sprinkle them on your rings, fry ‘em up and you’re done! Easy peasy.

Now, it’s important to note that while you will achieve a crispy layer on these wings, it won’t be to the same extent as some of the previous recipes.

But hey, desperate times call for desperate measures.

Here’s how to do it:

Pro Tips

You can use whatever spices you like, but we highly recommend salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, garlic powder and parsley.

Be careful when placing the wings in the pan as the oil will be very hot.

Your chicken is safe to eat when it has hit an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit/75 degrees Celsius.

Another way of knowing your wings are done (if you don’t own a thermometer), is by cutting into one of them and checking if the juices are clear or not. If they are, your chicken is ready to eat.

Serve your wings with a delicious sauce such as bbq or buffalo sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Substitute Flour For Pancake Mix When Making Chicken Wings?

Yes! Although the flavor will be slightly different, you can absolutely swap out all-purpose flour for pancake mix when making chicken wings.

How Do You Make Chicken Wings Crispy?

The best ways to make your chicken wings crispy include drying your wings thoroughly prior to frying, using baking powder and cooking your wings in either hot oil in a pan, in the air fryer or the oven at high temperatures.

What Can You Substitute For Eggs When Making Chicken Wings?

Whether you’re a vegan or simply don’t have any eggs on hand, there are a variety of substitutes you can use when making wing batter:

Buttermilk
Tomato paste
Cornstarch & water/milk
Rice flour & water/milk
Heavy cream

How To Make Fried Chicken Wings With Cornstarch

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Wings are seasoned and placed on a rack in the oven at 400 degrees for 30 minutes before being air fried for an additional 5 minutes.

Materials

Chicken wings
Cornstarch
Salt Seasonings of choice
Olive oil

Tools

Oven
Air fryer
Measuring spoons
Baking sheet
Aluminum foil
Cooking spray
Oven rack

Instructions

Set your oven to a temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil
Retrieve an oven rack and spray it with cooking spray Pat your chicken wings dry Coat the wings in a little olive oil
Mix together your seasonings and sprinkle them onto the wings Sprinkle on a layer of cornstarch on the wings
Place the wings on the rack so that the skin is facing upward Cook in the oven for 30 minutes Before the 30 minutes is up, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
Grease your air fryer with cooking spray Transfer the wings from the oven to the air fryer
Cook for 5 minutes Remove and enjoy!

How To Make Chicken Wings With Rice Flour

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Chicken wings are seasoned and baked in the oven at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes and then an additional 30-35 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Materials

2 pounds chicken wings
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
¼ cup rice flour Seasonings of choice

Tools

Oven
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Large bowl/ziploc bag
Measuring spoons

Instructions

Set your oven to a temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper Place the rack in the oven to the top section Pat your wings dry Coat them with a little olive oil
Mix together all of the dry ingredients in either a large bowl or ziploc bag Coat your wings in the dry mix
Place the wings on the baking sheet Cook in the oven for 25 minutes Adjust the heat setting to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
Bake for another 30-35 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown
Remove them from the oven and serve immediately

How To Make Chicken Wings With Breadcrumbs

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Chicken is seasoned and baked in the oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-35 minutes or until the juices run clear.

Materials

⅔ cup of chicken wings
Breadcrumbs
Salt
Seasonings of choice 1 egg
1 tablespoon
water

Tools

Oven
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Small bowl
Ziploc bag
Measuring spoons/cups

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
Mix together all of the dry ingredients in a ziploc bag Whisk together the egg and water in a bowl
Dip your wings in the egg mixture and then coat them with the dry ingredients
Place the wings on the baking sheet and bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown

How To Make Chicken Wings With Spices

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 17 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Chicken wings are fried in oil for 10-12 minutes.

Materials

Chicken wings
Olive oil
Spices
Vegetable oil

Tools

Deep-dish PanTongs
Plate Paper
Towels

Instructions

Retrieve a deep-dish pan and fill it with vegetable oil (2 inches deep)
Adjust the heat setting on the stove to medium-high heat Allow the oil to reach a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit
Meanwhile, mix your desired spices together in a bowl or ziploc bagPat your wings dry with a paper towel
Coat them lightly in olive oil Season the wings with the dry mixture
Once the oil is heated, slowly add in the chicken wings using tongsFry them for 10-12 minutes
Remove from oil using tongs and place them on a paper towel-lined plate (add another paper towel on top of the wings and pat gently)
Once the excess oil has been removed.
serve and enjoy!

Author
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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!