Jerk & Cajun Chicken Wings

The chokehold that a well cooked chicken wing has on most of us, me at the forefront of that...is real.

Crispy or get out. 

I mean it.

I understand that most people who take their wings seriously have their own way of preparing said wings, if that's you, then just go on with your own recipe.

Ingredients:

• Wings 24–30 chicken wings, separated into flats and drums (save the flats for me, I'll be right over)

For Crispiness

• 1 tbsp baking powder (not baking soda)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp salt

Jerk Seasoning (for half the wings)

• 2 tbsp Jerk Seasoning Blend...or more, I'm always heavy handed (our Jerk Seasoning is quite spicy so be mindful of that)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lime juice

Cajun Seasoning (for the other half)

• 2 tbsp Cajun Seasoning Blend, same goes for Cajun, keep it heavy handed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• Optional Dipping Sauces: Ranch, blue cheese, or a tangy jerk sauce

you can opt out of olive oil/vinegar and do a dry rub as well, process remains the same

Instructions:

1. Prep the Wings:

• Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
• Pat the wings dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial for crispiness.
• Toss the wings in a mixture of baking powder, cornstarch, and salt. This creates a light, crisp texture during baking.

2. Bake the Wings:

• Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper, and place a wire rack on top to allow air circulation.
• Spread the wings on the rack in a single layer, leaving space between them.
• Bake for 8 minutes, then flip the wings and bake another 8 minutes. 

3. Season the Wings:

• While the wings bake for that 16 minutes, mix the jerk seasoning with olive oil and lime juice in one bowl and the Cajun seasoning with olive oil and apple cider vinegar in another.
  
• Grab them wings. Toss half in the jerk mixture and the other half in the Cajun mixture until well coated, throw em' back in the oven.
• Bake for another 20–25 minutes or until golden and crispy.

Save the flats for yourself.
Serve right away because you've been craving them for the entirety of this process and you shouldn't wait any longer.