what temp to fry chicken wings

For classic deep-fried chicken wings, heat your oil to about 350–375°F (175–190°C) and cook until the wings are crispy and the internal temperature is at least 165°F (74°C) , with many cooks preferring 175–185°F for extra tenderness.
Quick Scoop: Ideal Frying Temps
- Oil temperature: 350–375°F (175–190°C) for deep frying.
- Internal doneness: Minimum 165°F (74°C), often taken to around 175–190°F (79–88°C) for more tender, fall-off-the-bone wings.
- Typical fry time: About 8–12 minutes depending on wing size and exact oil temp.
Think of it like this: the oil temp is your “speed limit,” and the internal temp is the finish line. Hit both and you get wings that are crispy outside and juicy inside.
One-batch, Game-day Method
- Preheat the oil
- Use a neutral, high–smoke-point oil (canola, vegetable, peanut).
- Bring the oil to 350–375°F and let it stabilize.
- Dry and season the wings
- Pat wings very dry (this helps with crispiness and reduces dangerous splatter).
- Season or lightly flour/batter them if you like a thicker crust.
- Fry in small batches
- Add a few wings at a time so the oil temp doesn’t crash.
- Keep the oil close to 350°F as it recovers.
* Fry 8–12 minutes, turning occasionally, until deeply golden and crispy.
- Check doneness
- Use an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part, not touching bone.
- Look for at least 165°F, with many recipes targeting 175–190°F for very tender meat.
- Rest and sauce
- Drain on paper towels or a rack, then toss in your sauce while hot.
Double-fry & Forum-style Tricks
On cooking forums, some wing fans swear by double-frying for extra crisp:
- Low-temp first fry: Around 250°F for 15–20 minutes to cook through more gently.
- Cool completely , sometimes even chilled.
- Second fry: 375°F for 5–7 minutes until shatteringly crisp.
This method takes longer but gives that bar-style crunch many people chase.
Oil Temp & Doneness Cheat Sheet (HTML Table)
| Step | Temperature | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Preheat oil | 350–375°F (175–190°C) | Oil shimmering, thermometer steady in range. | [1][7][9]
| Single fry | ≈350°F (175°C) | 8–12 minutes, golden brown, sizzling slows a bit. | [7][9][3]
| Double-fry – first fry | ≈250°F (121°C) | Wings cooked through but pale, not fully crisp. | [5]
| Double-fry – second fry | 375°F (190°C) | 5–7 minutes, very crisp, deep golden brown. | [5]
| Internal temp | 165–190°F (74–88°C) | Safe to eat at 165°F; many aim higher for tenderness. | [2][9][1][3]
Safety & Consistency Tips
- Never drop wet or icy wings into hot oil; always thaw and dry them well first.
- Use a thermometer for both the oil and the meat to avoid undercooking.
- Don’t overcrowd; crowded oil = soggy wings and bigger temp swings.
TL;DR: Heat your oil to around 350–375°F, fry in small batches for about 8–12 minutes, and make sure the wings hit at least 165°F inside (175–190°F if you like them extra tender and juicy).
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.