KFC is popularly known for their crispy, savory fried chicken, especially the wings. You would be surprised at how easy it can be to make this yummy snack at home. Making KFC-style wings can be a fun way to enjoy a restaurant meal at home. Here is how you can do it from selecting the right ingredients to mastering the breading technique that makes these wings extra crunchy and juicy.

Here, we explore ingredients, methods, tips, and tricks for that signature KFC crispiness and flavor, so you can enjoy the wings right in the comfort of your own kitchen.

The Secret Behind KFC-Style Wings
This makes the magic of KFC wings impossible to resist: that perfectly crunchy flavor combination. In fact, there’s a rumor that the secret of KFC’s original recipe is its unique blend of 11 herbs and spices. Of course, because the recipe is highly secretive, home cooks can approximate this by mixing common seasonings and spices together to get that unmistakable flavor profile.

The seasoning is almost secondary to the cooking method. Double-breading and deep frying at a precise temperature are what result in that wonderful golden-brown crispy exterior that yields moist and tender meat for KFC-style wings.

Ingredients for Homemade KFC-Style Wings
To get started, here’s what you’ll need:

Chicken
1 lb chicken wings (about 10-12 pieces, cut into wingettes and drumettes if desired)
Marinade
1 cup buttermilk-this will help tenderize and moisten the chicken
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Breading Mix
1½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup cornstarch (for extra crispiness)
Seasoning Mix (or “KFC Secret Blend”)
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon celery salt
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon white pepper
½ teaspoon mustard powder
¼ teaspoon ginger powder
Oil for Frying
Vegetable oil or canola oil (for deep frying)
How to Make KFC-Style Wings Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Marinate Preparation: In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, salt, and black pepper.
Add the Chicken Wings: Add the wings to the buttermilk mixture. Toss to make sure each piece is covered. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 4 hours for better flavor. The buttermilk tenderizes the chicken and helps the breading stick.
Step 2: Prepare the Breading Mix
Mix the Flour and Cornstarch: Put the two in a big bowl: flour and cornstarch. Cornstarch does add an extra crunch, after all.
Add in the Seasoning Mix: Add all the spices to that bowl: paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, celery salt, basil, oregano, thyme, black pepper, white pepper, mustard powder, and ginger powder; mix well until spices have been evenly dispersed.
Bread the Wings
Remove the Wings from the Marinade: Take each wing piece out of the buttermilk and let any excess marinade drip off.
Coat in the Breading Mix: Place each wing into the flour mixture and press down to get an even coat. For extra crunch, you can double bread the wings by dipping back into the buttermilk and then into the flour mixture again.
Shake off excess flour. Gently shake each piece to remove excess flour but make sure there is a good layer of breading for a thick, crispy crust.
Step 4: Heat the Oil
Select a Deep Pot or Fryer: Using a deep frying pan or pot, fill with enough oil to fully submerge the wings.
Heat to the Right Temperature: Ideally, the oil should reach 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to check the temperature as oil that is too hot will burn the coating while oil that is too cold will make the chicken greasy.
Step 5: Fry the Wings
Fry in batches: gently add a few wings into the hot oil without overfilling the pot. Overcrowding will make the oil temperature go low and the results will not be crispy enough.
Cook until golden brown: Fry each batch of 8-10 minutes, until the wings become deep golden-brown in color, and the internal temperature reads 165°F (74°C).
Drain the Wings: Using tongs, remove the wings and place them on a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack to drain off excess oil. This will prevent the wings from becoming soggy.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your wings hot with your favorite dipping sauces. Classic options include:
Ketchup
Ranch dressing
Honey mustard
Spicy buffalo sauce
Barbecue sauce
Serve it with coleslaw, French fries, or corn on the cob, just like in the old KFC days. A sprinkle of extra seasoning blend will give it that special oomph.

Perfect Tips for KFC-Style Wings
Double-Dip: Double-dip each wing in the buttermilk and flour mixture for added crunch.
Resting after frying: let the wings rest on a wire rack to stay crispy, because resting on paper towels traps the moisture.
Even Coating: push the flour mixture firmly onto the wings for an even, thick coating.
Don’t Overcrowd the Fryer: cooking in small batches will make sure the oil temperature stays constant and yields a crispier, less greasy result.
Experiment with Spice: If you like heat, add cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix or serve with a spicy dipping sauce.
Healthier Options: Baked KFC-Style Wings
If you want to bake instead of fry, you can get healthier options by baking these wings as follows:
Preheat the Oven: Set oven at 400°F (200°C).
Prepare the Baking Sheet: Cover the baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease the paper with cooking spray.
Put the breaded wings on a baking sheet, leaving space so they do not touch each other. Bake until brown and crispy, which is about 25 to 30 minutes or flipped halfway.
Extra Crunch in the Oven
If you want extra crunch, then you may try broiling it at the end for 2-3 minutes.
KFC-Style Wings Variations
Here are a few yummy variations you can try to mix things up if you want a different flavor profile:

Honey-Garlic Wings: Toss the fried or baked wings in a honey-garlic glaze after cooking.
Buffalo-Style KFC Wings: Toss in buffalo sauce for a spicy twist.
Asian-Inspired Wings: Add a little bit of soy sauce and sesame oil to the marinade for an Asian-inspired flavor.
Cheesy Wings: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and herbs along with it after frying them.
Conclusion
Making KFC-style wings in the comfort of your home is the best way to indulge in this pleasure of having a more traditional treat without necessarily leaving the house. Flavours from the marinade and a well-seasoned breading mix make a difference, but the correct technique for frying gets that ideal golden crispy texture on them, which makes it so delicious. Whether taken as a snack, or as an appetizer for the party, or an entire meal, homemade KFC-style wings are always going to be a hit.

Experiment with seasonings and dipping sauces to make this recipe your own, and enjoy the crunchiness and flavor of a fast-food favorite from your very own kitchen!