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    Home » Recipes » All Recipes

    Smoky Dry Rub for Wings

    Published: May 23, 2021

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    Smoky Dry Rub for Wings

    Originally published August 28, 2020. Updated on 5/23/2021

    A small, square white bowl of a deep orange-red dry rub, on a larger plate of wings and tater tots. The wings are coated in the same red dry rub.

    Saucy wings & ribs are great... but sometimes you just want a really flavourful dry seasoning. Here's my Smoky Dry Rub for Wings recipe!

    Today I'm sharing another quick, simple, TASTY recipe for flavouring your food - my Smoky Dry Rub for Wings!

    Way back when I moved to the US in 2006, I'd never tried wings with a dry rub. IN my world, there were really two options for wings at the time - Hot Wings or Honey Garlic Wings.

    Sure, there were *technically* other options... but I generally stayed to those two, and picked which one I was in the mood for.

    Then I moved in with my husband, who had like 3 "spices" in his cabinet - Pepper, Mrs Dash, and a jar of some somewhat stale dry rub for chicken wings (and I think ribs?). Not even exaggerating, btw.

    There was a bit of culture shock when we moved in together - I'm someone who's never had fewer than 20 herbs and spices on hand, even when I was 16 and living on my own in a studio apartment! (Now I'm up over 78, last I checked. Oops).

    It may have been a bit stale, but it packed a ton of flavour! There was definitely a variety of different seasonings in there, and it tasted almost faintly licorice-y. Talking with him just now, we both think it was Famous Dave's Rib Rub.

    We didn't end up making wings often - neither one of us are into greasy foods, and baked wings just aren't as satisfying! - but I've thought about that rub over the years.

    When we bought an air fryer several months ago, I decided that it was time to revisit the dry wings idea, tinker around and make my own recipe.

    A small, square white bowl of a deep orange-red dry rub, on a larger plate of wings and tater tots. The wings are coated in the same red dry rub.

    Smoky Dry Rub for Wings

    So, I set about designing my own dry rub recipe.

    I wanted it pepper-forward, smoky, and complex, so that’s where I started.

    The pepper and smoke mainly come from two ingredients - smoked paprika and smoked serrano powder - more on that in a bit!

    I added some onion and garlic powder, because really... I used them like most people use salt and pepper!

    Mustard, cumin, oregano, and thyme work together to accent those base flavours, while brown sugar and smoked sea salt give everything a little boost.

    This makes a *fantastic* dry rub. It’s quick and easy to make, and tastes amazing on wings and ribs - as a really easy preparation for them.

    Also: The rub is also tasty sprinkled on the fries or tots that usually accompany our wings. Yum!

    A close up view of a small, square white bowl of a deep orange-red dry rub - Smoky Dry Rub for Wings.

    Smoked Serrano & Smoked Paprika

    Now, I'm a HUGE fan of Smoked Serrano Powder, so that was the flavour I started with, and where the heat comes from.

    If you haven't had Smoked Serrano Powder, you should definitely get some - it's life changing! I honestly haven't used chili powder in... I don't even know how long, now.

    The smoked Serrano powder is just so much better in every way - smokier, spicier, and just with a richer flavour. A little goes a long way, though!

    I use it in my Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Smoked Serrano Drizzle and my Homemade Seasoned Salt recipes, plus any time I make chili, so there are a few started ideas for you!

    A small, square white bowl of a deep orange-red dry rub, on a larger plate of wings and tater tots. The wings are coated in the same red dry rub.

    The same goes for paprika. I used to use regular paprika fairly often... until I discovered Smoked Paprika.

    World. Of. Difference!

    It isn't just a "smoky vs not" thing, the smoked paprika just tastes so much richer and complex to me. Absolutely love it, highly recommend it!

    Both of these seasonings are absolutely formative to this recipe. You CAN substitute regular paprika and chili powder if you need to, but it won't be anywhere near as great of a finished product, IMHO.

    A small, square white bowl of a deep orange-red dry rub, on a larger plate of wings and tater tots. The wings are coated in the same red dry rub.

    Air Frying Chicken Wings

    As I mentioned in my Honey Jeow Glazed Wings post, we are *completely* in love with our air fryer, the Instant Vortex 4-in-1 Air Fryer, 6 Quart by Instant Pot.

    We bought it at the beginning of the pandemic, as a way to possibly make some of the freezer foods we stocked up on more palatable. It's been SO much more than that - and honestly, we've had wings and fries more often in the past few months, than I'd ever have imagined.

    It's really become our easy, go-to "I don't feel like cooking" default meal.

    The only fat involved is the fat in this chicken skin, so it's actually really not that bad for convenience food.

    I was a bit worried that air frying wouldn't provide as good of a base for this Smoky Dry Rub for Wings, thinking that residual oil on deep fried wings were what encouraged the powder to stick.

    Nope! It worked just fine! Just like with traditional deep-fried wings, the dry rub sort of melded with the skin to a degree, not remaining as an obvious, powdery, external thing.

    So, if you have an air fryer, I absolutely recommend it for cooking your wings for this recipe. If you DON'T have an air fryer, I totally recommend getting one. They really do make fabulous wings!

    I'd do differently - if I had my time back - is buy this model instead, as it's a size bigger.

    A close up view of a small, square white bowl of a deep orange-red dry rub - Smoky Dry Rub for Wings.

    More Seasoning & Condiment Recipes

    Looking for some tasty ways to add a little something extra to your dish? Here are a few ideas:

    Basil Pesto
    Berbere Seasoning
    Canadian Popcorn Seasonings
    Candied Ginger, Ginger Syrup, Ginger Sugar
    Cilantro-Mint Chutney
    Diana Sauces (Replica Recipes)
    Homemade Hop Extracts
    Homemade Seasoned Salt
    Homemade Vanilla Extract
    Honey Dill Dipping Sauce
    Honey Garlic Cooking Sauce
    Hoppy Dill Pickle Relish
    How to Make Compound Butters
    Montreal Steak Spice & Marinade
    Olive Salad for Muffalettas
    Porter's Yogurt & Ice Cream Topping
    Roasted Beet Ketchup
    Sushi Sauce Recipes
    Tangerine Thyme Dry Rub
    Thai Cilantro Pesto
    Tzatziki Dip

    A small, square white bowl of a deep orange-red dry rub, on a larger plate of wings and tater tots. The wings are coated in the same red dry rub.

    Share the Love!

    Before you chow down, be sure to take some pics of your handiwork! If you Instagram it, be sure to tag me - @CelebrationGenerationCA - or post it to My Facebook Page - so I can cheer you on!

    Also, be sure to subscribe to my free monthly email newsletter, so you never miss out on any of my nonsense.

    Well, the published nonsense, anyway!

    On to the recipe!

    A close up view of a small, square white bowl of a deep orange-red dry rub - Smoky Dry Rub for Wings.

    A small, square white bowl of a deep orange-red dry rub, on a larger plate of wings and tater tots. The wings are coated in the same red dry rub.
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    5 from 1 vote

    Smoky Dry Rub for Wings & Ribs

    Messy, saucy wings & ribs are always great... but sometimes you just want a really flavourful dry seasoning. Here's my Smoky Dry Rub for Wings recipe!
    Prep Time5 mins
    Total Time5 mins
    Course: Condiment
    Cuisine: American, Gluten-free
    Servings: 6 - about ½ cup of dry rub
    Calories: 28kcal
    Author: Marie Porter

    Equipment

    Spice Grinder, optional

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon Smoked Paprika
    • 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
    • 1 tablespoon Onion Powder
    • 2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
    • 2 teaspoon Smoked Serrano Powder
    • 1 ½+ tsp Smoked Sea Salt
    • 1 teaspoon Mustard Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Cumin
    • 1 teaspoon Ground Pepper
    • ½ teaspoon Oregano
    • ½ teaspoon Thyme

    Instructions

    • Add all ingredients to a spice grinder or mini food processor (optional), blitz until blended
    • If making by hand, stir until well combined.
    • Store in an airtight container.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 28kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 597mg | Potassium: 96mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1347IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg

    More Wing Recipes!

    Love wings? Here are a few more ideas for you!

    Honey Garlic Sauce for Wings
    Honey Jeow Glazed Wings
    Hoppy Citrus IPA Glazed Wings
    Maple Dijon Wings
    Spicy Ginger Glazed Wings
    Tangerine Thyme Dry Rub Wings
    Whisky Honey Mustard Wings

    A small, square white bowl of a deep orange-red dry rub, on a larger plate of wings and tater tots. The wings are coated in the same red dry rub.

    Related posts:

    2 and a half curried shrimp spring rolls are arranged on a blue plate, with a small bowl of spicy peanut dip next to it. Curried Shrimp Spring Rolls A Sloppy Joes sandwich on a paper plate, with chips and a pickle spear. Homemade Sloppy Joes A white and cornflower blue bowl full of roasted corn chowder. Pieces of roasted corn garnish the surface of the soup. Roasted Corn Chowder Recipe A large piece of almond crusted halibut is on a white plate. A yellow cream sauce with flecks of green - lemon dill cream sauce - has been poured over the fish, and there are asparagus spears on the side. Almond Crusted Halibut
    « Honey Jeow Glazed Wings
    Tangerine Thyme Dry Rub »

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