RestaurantsThe Original Pancake HouseKookaburra Wings Recipe

Kookaburra Wings Recipe

Time1h 15m
Serves4

Your choice of chicken wings tossed in our secret spices. Served with our blue cheese dressing and celery.

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Ingredients

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Wings & Seasoning

Method

Wings & Seasoning

1

Prep the wings

Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. If whole wings were purchased, separate into drumettes and wingettes and discard wing tips or reserve for stock.

2

Coat with dry mix

Place wings in a large bowl or zip-top bag. In a small bowl combine baking powder, kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar and cayenne (if using). Sprinkle the dry mix over the wings, add the vegetable oil, and toss thoroughly until wings are evenly coated. The baking powder helps crisp the skin in the oven; the sugar and spices give the secret Kookaburra flavor.

3

Rest

Place coated wings on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate uncovered for 30–60 minutes if time allows. This dries the skin for extra crispness.

4

Cooking options

Choose one cooking method below. Ensure wings reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and have crisp, golden skin. Oven-baked (recommended): Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange wings skin-side up on the wire rack and bake 35–45 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until skin is deeply golden and crisp. Air-fryer: Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Cook wings in a single layer for 18–22 minutes, shaking the basket or turning halfway, until crisp. Pan-fry (faster, more oil): Heat 2–3 tbs vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry wings in batches, 6–8 minutes per side, until cooked through and crisp, then drain on paper towels.

5

Final toss

After cooking, while wings are hot, transfer them to a clean bowl and toss gently to redistribute any residual seasoning from the tray. Taste one and adjust with a light sprinkling of salt or a pinch of cayenne if desired.

Blue Cheese Dressing

6

Make the dressing while wings rest or bake. In a medium bowl combine mayonnaise, sour cream and buttermilk and whisk until smooth. Stir in crumbled blue cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, salt and pepper. For a chunkier dressing, leave some larger pieces of blue cheese; for smoother, mash some of the cheese with the back of a spoon or pulse briefly in a blender. Chill at least 10 minutes to meld flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

To Serve

7

Arrange hot Kookaburra Wings on a platter with celery sticks and a bowl of blue cheese dressing. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the wings if using. Serve immediately so wings remain crisp.