Memphis Firecracker Wings
These Memphis Firecracker Wings, inspired by Pat Neely's soulful Southern cooking, are perfect for your next gathering or game night. Juicy chicken wings are marinated in a robust blend of spices, then fried to perfection, resulting in a delightful crunch and a fiery kick. The homemade dipping sauce, featuring a tangy horseradish and sour cream base, complements the wings beautifully, making every bite an explosion of flavors. Enjoy this mouthwatering recipe that pays homage to the vibrant culinary traditions of Memphis!
N/A
Servings
200
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken wings
6 (whole, cut into joints (tips discarded or saved for other use))
Vegetable oil
to taste (for deep-frying)
Seasoning salt
1 tablespoon
Crushed red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons
Black pepper
3 teaspoons
Cayenne pepper
5 teaspoons
Poultry seasoning
2 teaspoons
Lemon pepper
1 teaspoon
Eggs
2
Hot sauce
2 tablespoons
All-purpose flour
2 cups
Sour cream
1 cup
Horseradish
2 tablespoons
Chili sauce
1/2 tablespoon
Salt
to taste
Fresh ground black pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
Begin by making the dipping sauce: In a bowl, combine sour cream, horseradish, chili sauce, cayenne pepper, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix until smooth and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
2
Prepare the spice blend: In a small bowl, whisk together seasoning salt, crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, cayenne pepper, poultry seasoning, and lemon pepper. Reserve 2 tablespoons of this mixture for later use.
3
Rinse the chicken wings in cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Place the wings in a shallow baking dish and sprinkle them with the spice blend. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
4
In another bowl, whisk together eggs, hot sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Set aside. Pour all-purpose flour onto a shallow plate.
5
Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or a heavy pot to 350°F (175°C).
6
Once the oil is hot, dredge each chicken wing first in the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off, then coat it in the flour. Repeat this for all the wings.
7
Carefully place the wings into the hot oil in small batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown and cooked through.
8
Once fried, drain the wings on paper towels or brown paper bags. While still hot, sprinkle with the reserved spice mix for an extra kick.
9
Continue frying the remaining wings, ensuring the oil comes back to temperature between batches.
10
Serve the sizzling wings hot with the chilled spicy dipping sauce on the side.
Nutrition Information
13.3g
Fat
12.5g
Carbs
12.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Memphis Firecracker Wings?
Memphis Firecracker Wings are a Southern-style dish featuring juicy chicken wings marinated in a robust spice blend, fried to a crunch, and served with a tangy horseradish dipping sauce.
Who inspired the Memphis Firecracker Wings recipe?
This recipe is inspired by the soulful Southern cooking traditions of Pat Neely.
How do I make the dipping sauce for these wings?
The dipping sauce is made by combining sour cream, horseradish, chili sauce, cayenne pepper, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth.
How long should the dipping sauce be refrigerated?
The sauce should be refrigerated for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld properly.
What ingredients are in the dry spice blend?
The spice blend consists of seasoning salt, crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, cayenne pepper, poultry seasoning, and lemon pepper.
How much of the spice blend should be reserved for later?
You should reserve 2 tablespoons of the spice mixture to sprinkle over the wings after they have been fried.
How should the chicken wings be prepared before marinating?
The wings should be rinsed in cold water, patted dry with paper towels, and cut into joints with the tips discarded or saved for other uses.
How long do the wings need to marinate?
The wings should be covered and marinated in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
What is in the wet egg mixture for dredging?
The egg mixture is a whisked combination of eggs, hot sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
What is the correct oil temperature for frying the wings?
The vegetable oil should be heated to 350°F (175°C) in a deep fryer or heavy pot.
What is the dredging process for the wings?
Each wing is first dredged in the egg mixture and then coated in all-purpose flour before being placed in the hot oil.
How long do the wings need to fry in the oil?
The wings should be fried for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally until they are golden brown and cooked through.
Should the wings be fried all at once?
No, you should fry the wings in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pot and to ensure the oil stays at the correct temperature.
What should I do with the wings immediately after frying?
Drain the wings on paper towels or brown paper bags and sprinkle them with the reserved spice mix while they are still hot.
How are these wings served?
The wings should be served hot with the chilled spicy dipping sauce on the side.
What is the calorie count for Memphis Firecracker Wings?
Each serving of these wings contains approximately 200 calories.
How much protein is in one serving of this recipe?
There are 12.5g of protein per serving.
What is the fat content of this dish?
The fat content is 13.3g per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in these wings?
Each serving contains 12.5g of carbohydrates.
How many total ingredients are needed for this recipe?
There are 16 ingredients required to make the wings and the dipping sauce.
What kind of oil is best for this recipe?
Vegetable oil is recommended for deep-frying these wings.
Are these wings suitable for a party?
Yes, they are described as perfect for gatherings, game nights, and as party food snacks.
What gives the wings their 'firecracker' heat?
The heat comes from a combination of crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, and hot sauce in both the marinade and the coating.
Can I use the wing tips in this recipe?
The recipe suggests discarding the tips or saving them for other uses, such as making chicken stock.
What kind of flour is used for the coating?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of all-purpose flour for the dredging process.
Does the recipe use lemon pepper?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of lemon pepper is included in the spice blend for the wings.
What makes the dipping sauce tangy?
The tanginess comes from the combination of sour cream, horseradish, and chili sauce.
How much poultry seasoning is used?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of poultry seasoning in the spice blend.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include wings, fried, spicy, chicken, appetizer, Memphis, Southern cuisine, party food, and game day snacks.
Is there any salt in the dipping sauce?
Yes, salt and freshly ground black pepper are added to the dipping sauce to taste.