Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) for oven baking, or your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for air frying. Thoroughly pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels and place them in a large bowl or a sturdy plastic bag.
Step 2: Add the all-purpose flour, brown sugar (or brown sweetener), smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the bowl/bag with the wings. Toss or shake well until all the wings are fully and evenly coated with the dry rub mixture.
Step 3 (Oven Method): Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the coated wings on the prepared sheet in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching. Lightly spritz them with cooking oil spray (olive oil recommended).
Step 4 (Oven Method): Bake for 20 minutes. Flip the wings, spritz them again with cooking oil, and continue baking for another 10 minutes, or until the wings are golden brown, crispy, and cooked through. An internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) should be reached.
Step 3 (Air Fryer Method): For air frying, place the coated wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd it. Lightly spritz them with cooking oil. You may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Step 4 (Air Fryer Method): Cook for 15 minutes. Flip the wings, spritz again with cooking oil, and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until they are super crispy and cooked through. An internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) should be reached.