Greek chicken wings

The Greek treat to speed up summer

Maybe it’s because I can almost smell summer in the air, but I’m fully in my Greek food era at the minute. Give me loads of feta, lemony potatoes and something cold in a glass and I’m happy. The UK weather might still be dreary and a bit chilly, but at least our dinners don’t have to be.

And these Greek chicken wings are absolutely delicious. Crispy edges, juicy middle, loads of garlic, lemon and oregano and all done in the air fryer. 

What makes these wings Greek?

The bit that makes these wings feel properly Greek comes down to the marinade. We’ve got olive oil, fresh lemon juice, dried oregano, garlic, onion granules, salt and black pepper. That’s it. No niche ingredients that you’ll need to fly to Greece for. Although I must admit that Greek oregano is incredible if you have it! It’s slightly stronger and more aromatic than standard oregano and gives you that proper taverna-style flavour. But don’t panic if all you’ve got is the supermarket stuff because these still taste bloomin lovely.

You can also mix things up with:

• smoked paprika
• chilli flakes
• thyme or rosemary
• cumin
• honey
• parmesan and herbs

Why the air fryer?

I love an air fryer and even have a Sunday Times bestselling book packed full of air fryer recipes, so when I want something quick, crisp and delicious I love to whip out that wonderful little machine.

For this recipe, you simply place your marinated chicken wings into the air fryer basket (you might need to do two batches if your air fryer is on the smaller side) and cook at 200ºC/400ºF for 30-35 minutes, shaking halfway through.

What you’re left with is crispy skin, juicy chicken and minimal washing up.

Also, because the wings sit in all those lovely juices while cooking, they almost baste themselves. 

What to serve these babies with

Keep it simple and dip into a garlicky yoghurt sauce or tzatziki for a starter and snack, or you could serve with…

• feta and watermelon salad
• Greek salad with tomatoes and cucumber
• flatbreads and hummus
• giant couscous salad
• charred corn on the cob
• halloumi fries
• loaded Greek fries with feta and olives

Or, why not utilise the ingredients you’re already using and make my lemon, chicken stock and oregano one-pot wedges. You can watch the step-by-step tutorial below: 

Can I make them even crispier?

Yep! If you want that proper crunchy coating, toss the marinated wings in seasoned flour before air frying. A tiny drizzle of oil over the top helps too.

And please don’t overcrowd the basket. I know it’s tempting, but cramped wings steam rather than crisp. Give them room!

Want saucy wings?

If you prefer the kind of wings that require approximately 14 napkins and a full outfit change, simply toss them in sauce after cooking. You could use…

• buffalo sauce
• garlic butter
• hot honey
• lemon herb butter
• peri peri sauce

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs or drumsticks instead?

Yep! This marinade works well on thighs, drumsticks or even a whole chicken. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Can I make these in the oven?

Bake at 220ºC/425ºF for around 40-45 minutes, turning halfway through until crispy and golden.

Can I marinate them overnight?

Yesss. The longer they sit in the marinade, the stronger the flavour gets. 

Can I freeze them?

Yes, but freeze either before or after cooking. If freezing cooked wings, reheat in the air fryer to bring back the crispiness.

What dips go best with these?

Tzatziki, garlic mayo, whipped feta, hot honey yoghurt, hummus or even a spicy mayo all work well.

What potatoes go best with Greek wings?

Lemon wedges, crispy roast potatoes, smashed potatoes or loaded fries are all delicious.