Crispy Cajun Wings

These wings get crispy on the outside, stay juicy inside, and that Cajun butter sauce makes them absolutely irresistible. Don’t let the deep frying scare you off…it’s honestly easier than you think, and the results are restaurant-quality wings right in your own kitchen.

Any way to make fried chicken different is always welcome, but with a picky family, I’ve learned I can’t be too different. The Cajun seasoning in this is perfect. It’s a fun change from the usual, but everyone still likes it.

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

If the ingredients list for the seasoning overwhelms you, you can just use a ¼ cup of store-bought Cajun seasoning. If you don’t have (or can’t find) white pepper, it’s a bit gentler than black pepper. If there’s no white pepper around, just use black pepper. It’s a bit stronger, but it’ll work. If you don’t have a deep fryer and are using a pot, use a thermometer to watch your oil temperature.

This will make 20 wings, and they reheat really well. You can double or triple the batch by making adjustments in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Equipment

• Deep fryer or a heavy-bottomed pot
• saucepan
• Ziploc bag

Ingredients

Cajun Seasoning

• 1½ tablespoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• ⅓ tablespoon ground black pepper
• ½ tablespoon ground white pepper
• ½ tablespoon onion powder
• ½ tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon cayenne
• 1 teaspoon thyme

For Frying the Wings

• 20 wings
• peanut oil (for frying) (can also use canola or vegetable oil)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (from the mix above; can also use ¼ cup of store-bought Cajun seasoning for frying and the sauce)

For Cajun Butter Sauce

• ½ cup butter
• 3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (from the mix above)

How to Make Deep-Fried Cajun Wings

Step One: Make The Seasoning First

Mix paprika, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, white pepper, onion powder, oregano, cayenne, and thyme in a bowl. You can use store-bought Cajun seasoning if you want, but homemade tastes better.

Step Two: Prep The Wings

Pat them dry with paper towels – this matters for getting them crispy. Put flour and a tablespoon of Cajun seasoning in a ziplock bag, add the wings, and shake until coated.

Step Three: Fry

Heat your oil to 370°F in a deep fryer or heavy pot. If you don’t have a thermometer, drop in a small piece of bread – it should sizzle right away.

Fry in batches so you don’t overcrowd the pot. Cook for about 12 minutes until they’re golden brown and the internal temp hits 165°F. Put them on paper towels to drain.

Step Four: Make The Butter Sauce

Melt butter in a small pan and stir in 3 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning until it smells good.

Step Five: Toss And Serve

Put the wings in a big bowl, pour the butter sauce over them, and toss until coated. Serve with ranch or blue cheese.

Serving & Storing

Serve these with blue cheese or Cajun ranch dressing, celery and carrot sticks, and deep-fried onion rings.

Store these in an airtight container or resealable bag in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months (make sure to remove as much air as possible).

To reheat them, preheat your oven to 375°F and place the refrigerated or frozen wings on a baking sheet. Reheat for 10-15 minutes or until they’re hot and crispy. You can also use an air fryer, but a microwave will make them soggy.

Questions and Troubleshooting

More Chicken Recipes To Try

• A picky eater’s favorite food – fried chicken tenders.
• Our other favorite wing recipe for dinner is these classic deep-fried buffalo wings.
• Try this creamy and spicy cast iron skillet Cajun pasta that’s ready in 30 minutes.
• I make these smoked chicken wings A LOT during football season.

Printable Recipe