Ingredients

For the Wings:

  • 2 lbs chicken wings (drumettes and flats)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

For the Dill Pickle Ranch Dust:

  • 2 tbsp dried dill
  • 1 tbsp dried parsley
  • 1 tbsp dried chives
  • 1 tbsp dried buttermilk powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp pickle juice powder (available online or in specialty stores)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp citric acid (for extra tang, optional)

Equipment

  • Baking sheet
  • Wire rack (optional, for crispier wings)
  • Mixing bowls
  • Tongs
  • Oven or air fryer

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Wings:
    • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
    • Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
    • In a large bowl, toss the wings with olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika until evenly coated.
  2. Cook the Wings:
    • Oven Method: Place a wire rack on a baking sheet (or line with parchment paper if no rack). Arrange wings in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch. Bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C).
    • Air Fryer Method: Place wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Cook for 20-25 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway, until crispy and cooked through.
  3. Make the Dill Pickle Ranch Dust:
    • In a small bowl, combine dried dill, parsley, chives, buttermilk powder, garlic powder, onion powder, pickle juice powder, salt, black pepper, and citric acid (if using). Mix thoroughly. For finer dust, pulse in a spice grinder or food processor.
  4. Coat the Wings:
    • Once cooked, transfer hot wings to a clean, large bowl.
    • Sprinkle the dill pickle ranch dust over the wings, tossing to coat evenly. Start with 2-3 tbsp of the seasoning mix and adjust to taste.
  5. Serve:
    • Serve immediately with optional sides like celery sticks, carrot sticks, or a dipping sauce (e.g., ranch or blue cheese).
    • Garnish with fresh dill or chopped pickles for extra flair.

Tips

  • For extra pickle flavor, toss wings with 1-2 tbsp of dill pickle juice before adding the dust.
  • Store leftover seasoning dust in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
  • For spicier wings, add 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper to the dust mix.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving, Approx. 4-6 wings)

  • Calories: 320
  • Protein: 25g
  • Fat: 22g
  • Carbohydrates: 2g