Chicken wings are a tasty and popular appetizer that can be cooked in many ways. One of the easiest and most convenient ways to cook wings is in an air fryer oven like the Ninja Foodi XL Pro. The Ninja Foodi XL Pro is a multifunctional countertop oven that can air fry, air roast, bake, broil, dehydrate, and more. Using the Ninja Foodi XL Pro to make crispy, juicy chicken wings is quick, easy, and requires minimal cleanup. Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking perfect chicken wings in the Ninja Foodi XL Pro air oven.
Ingredients
- Chicken wings – about 2 lbs, rinsed and patted dry
- Olive oil or vegetable oil – for coating
- Seasonings:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Other seasonings of choice like chili powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, etc.
Prep the Chicken Wings
Start by rinsing the chicken wings under cold water and patting them completely dry with paper towels. Make sure the wings are dry before cooking for maximum crispiness.
Next, drizzle the wings with about 1-2 tablespoons of oil. Use your hands to rub the oil evenly all over the wings. This helps the seasoning stick and creates a crispy skin.
Now season the wings generously on all sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and any other seasonings you want. The Ninja Foodi XL Pro uses rapid hot air to cook food fast, so heavier seasoning is better.
Set Up the Ninja Foodi XL Pro
Preheat the Ninja Foodi XL Pro air fryer oven to 390°F. This high heat helps the chicken wings get crispy and fully cooked.
While the oven preheats, prepare the crisper basket that came with your Ninja Foodi. Lightly grease it with oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the seasoned chicken wings in the crisper basket in a single layer, not overcrowded.
Air Fry the Chicken Wings
Once preheated, place the crisper basket of wings in the Ninja Foodi oven on the middle rack. Set the cook time to 18-22 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Cook times may vary based on the size of the wings.
After the initial cook time, check if the wings are fully cooked and crispy. Cut into one wing to check that the meat is completely opaque with no pink and the juices run clear. If needed, cook for 2-3 more minutes until the desired doneness is reached.
Toss the Wings in Sauce
When the wings are fully cooked, remove the crisper basket and let the wings rest for 5 minutes. This helps lock in the juices and crispiness.
While the wings rest, you can toss them in your favorite wing sauce if desired. Good sauces for wings include Buffalo, barbeque, teriyaki, honey mustard, etc. Place the sauce in a large bowl, add the cooked wings, and toss well until evenly coated.
Serve Immediately and Enjoy!
Transfer the Ninja Foodi XL Pro oven-fried chicken wings to a platter and serve immediately. They are best right out of the air fryer, when the skin is perfectly crispy and the meat is hot and juicy. Enjoy these easy air fried wings on game day, as an appetizer, or for a weeknight dinner.
Tips for the Best Air Fried Chicken Wings
- Pat the wings completely dry before seasoning for crispiest skin.
- Use a light coating of oil to help the seasoning adhere.
- Season generously with salt, pepper, and spices of choice.
- Preheat the Ninja Foodi XL Pro fully before adding wings.
- Cook at 390°F for 18-22 minutes, shaking halfway through.
- Let wings rest 5 minutes before saucing or serving.
- Toss in sauce after cooking for added flavor.
- Enjoy wings immediately for the perfect texture.
Ninja Foodi XL Pro Features and Settings
One of the great things about the Ninja Foodi XL Pro is how versatile it is. Here are some of the key features and settings you can use for cooking chicken wings and other foods:
- Air Fry – Uses super heated air and the crisper basket to create crispy fried foods like wings, fries, etc. without oil.
- Air Roast – Roasts vegetables, proteins, and more with rapid hot air rotating around food.
- Bake/Broil – Bakes cakes, cookies, casseroles; broils steaks, seafood, and melting toppings.
- Dehydrate – Perfect for making dried fruits, vegetables, jerky, fruit roll ups, and more.
- Digital Crisp Control – Choose from less crisp to more crisp settings.
- Temp Range – Temperature can be set from 105°F to 450°F.
These settings provide a lot of flexibility to cook wings and other items exactly how you want them. You can experiment with different temperatures and cook times to get the texture you like best.
Cleaning Your Ninja Foodi XL Pro
Like all air fryers, the Ninja Foodi XL Pro requires a bit of cleaning after cooking those delicious wings. Here are some tips for cleaning safely and easily:
- Unplug the appliance and allow it to cool completely first.
- Remove the crisper basket, rack, and crumb tray. Wash in hot soapy water.
- Clean the inside of the oven with a soft cloth and warm soapy water.
- Do not submerge the body of the oven in water or use abrasive cleaners.
- Wipe down the outside of the oven with a damp cloth.
- Dry all parts fully before storing.
The Ninja Foodi XL Pro crisper basket and crumb tray are dishwasher safe which makes cleanup even easier. Just be sure to fully dry all parts before using the oven again.
Tips for Using Your Ninja Food XL Pro
Here are some additional pointers to get the most out of your Ninja Foodi XL Pro air fryer oven:
- Use the crisper basket for air frying. It allows hot air to circulate for even cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket – leave space between food pieces.
- Halve cook times for smaller batch sizes.
- Shake or toss food halfway through cook time.
- Add a couple minutes to cooking time when starting with frozen foods.
- Use cooking charts in recipes as guides, adjust as needed.
- Use lower temp for gentler cooking, higher for browning/crisping.
- Let oven fully preheat before adding food for best results.
By following the tips in this guide, you’ll be able to make juicy, crispy chicken wings and so much more with your Ninja Foodi. This versatile countertop oven makes cooking fast, easy, and fun!
Frequently Asked Questions
What size chicken wings work best in the Ninja Foodi XL Pro?
The best sizes of chicken wings for the Ninja Foodi XL Pro are medium or large wings. Small chicken wings may cook too quickly and large jumbo wings may not cook through fully. Medium and large size wings will cook up perfectly crispy and juicy in the air fryer oven.
How many wings can I cook at once in the Ninja Foodi XL Pro?
The Ninja Foodi XL Pro crisper basket can hold 2-3 pounds of chicken wings at one time. It’s best not to overcrowd the basket – leave some space between each wing for air circulation. For larger quantities, cook wings in batches to ensure even cooking.
Should I flip the wings during cooking?
Flipping or shaking the wings halfway through the air fry time is recommended. This allows the wings to cook evenly on both sides so they get super crispy and browned all over.
What temperature should I cook wings at?
The best temperature range for air frying chicken wings in the Ninja Foodi XL Pro is between 375°F and 400°F. At 390°F, the wings will cook up nice and crispy in 18-22 minutes. Higher temps shorten the cook time but can make the outside too dark before the inside cooks fully.
Can I reheat leftover wings in the Ninja Foodi XL Pro?
Yes, you can easily reheat already cooked chicken wings in the Ninja Foodi air fryer oven. Place cooked wings in the crisper basket and reheat at 300°F for 5-8 minutes until hot and crispy again. They won’t be quite as crispy as freshly cooked wings but still tasty.
What other foods can I make in the Ninja Foodi XL Pro?
In addition to wings, the Ninja Foodi XL Pro can air fry foods like french fries, chicken nuggets, fish, brussels sprouts, and more. You can also bake, roast, broil, toast, dehydrate, and reheat leftovers. It’s a very versatile countertop oven for making all kinds of great meals.
Conclusion
Cooking juicy, crispy chicken wings is easy with the Ninja Foodi XL Pro air fryer oven. Simply coat the wings in oil and seasoning, preheat the oven to 390°F, and air fry for 18-22 minutes while shaking halfway. Then, toss in your favorite sauce and enjoy these delicious oven-fried wings. Follow the tips in this guide for the perfect Ninja Foodi wings every time. This multifunctional countertop oven provides quick and easy meals with minimal mess to clean up after.