Name: Yaji chicken wings
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Nigerian
Ingredients: 1kg chicken wings; 2 heaped tablespoons T&H All Purpose Yaji Spice, plus extra to serve; 1 tablespoon vegetable or sunflower oil

Serves 4
Prep 10 mins
Cook 25 to 45 mins
No added peanuts

If you only make one thing with Yaji, make these. Wings take the spice brilliantly: the skin crisps up, the Yaji toasts, and you end up with sticky, smoky wings that disappear fast. We use All Purpose Yaji here, but Suya Marinade works too if you want a nuttier, richer crust.

Ingredients

1kg chicken wings, split into flats and drumettes
2 heaped tablespoons T&H All Purpose Yaji Spice, plus extra to serve
1 tablespoon vegetable or sunflower oil

Method

Dry the wings. Pat them dry with kitchen paper. Dry skin crisps; wet skin steams.
Season. Toss the wings with the oil, then the Yaji, until every piece is coated. No extra seasoning needed.
Rest if you have time. Ten minutes is fine. Overnight in the fridge is even better.
Cook. Use one of the methods below until the wings are crisp and cooked through.
Serve. Dust with a little extra Yaji and serve hot.

Cooking times

Oven

Heat to 220°C (200°C fan). Spread the wings on a rack over a lined tray and roast for 40 to 45 minutes, turning halfway.

Air fryer

Cook at 180°C for 22 to 25 minutes, shaking the basket halfway. Don't overcrowd it: cook in two batches if needed.

BBQ

Cook over indirect heat with the lid down for about 25 minutes, then move over the coals for a few minutes each side to char.

Is it done? The wings should be piping hot with no pink meat, and the juices should run clear. If you have a thermometer, look for 75°C in the thickest part.

Whole roast chicken seasoned with Yaji — The same rub works on a whole chicken.

Make it your own

Sticky: toss the cooked wings in a spoonful of honey and a little extra Yaji.
Suya-style: swap in Suya Marinade (contains peanuts).
Whole chicken or thighs: use the same rub and roast until cooked through.

Allergens: All Purpose Yaji contains locust beans. Suya Marinade contains peanuts and locust beans, and may contain traces of nuts, sesame and gluten. Always check the label.