Smoked Wings with Yuzu Miso Glaze: A Flavorful Journey
Hello, culinary adventurers! Get ready to transform your backyard grilling experience and tantalize your taste buds with a recipe that is truly a symphony of flavors: Smoked Wings with Yuzu Miso Glaze. This isn’t just another chicken wing recipe; it’s a meticulously crafted culinary escapade where the rich, aromatic essence of Smokin’ Pecan Pellets meets a vibrant, umami-packed Yuzu Miso Glaze, expertly developed by Dad himself.
Prepare to unlock new levels of flavor using your Ninja Woodfire Grill, a versatile piece of equipment that brings the authentic taste of smoke right to your patio. Join us as we dive into the art of perfectly smoked wings, achieving that coveted crispy skin and tender interior, all while bathing them in an irresistible glaze that perfectly complements the deep pecan infusion. This dish is destined to become a staple at your gatherings, impressing friends and family alike with its unique blend of smoky depth, citrusy brightness, and savory notes. Let’s fire up that grill and embark on a flavor adventure like no other!
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Table of Contents
- A Taste Sensation: Smoked Wings with Yuzu Miso Glaze
- Why These Smoked Wings Will Become Your New Favorite
- Top Tip for Crispy Wings: The Magic of Cornstarch
- Key Ingredients for Unforgettable Flavor
- Crafting the Irresistible Yuzu Miso Glaze
- Smoking Wings to Perfection on Your Ninja Woodfire Grill
- The Full Recipe
- Recommended Equipment & Ingredients
- Looking for Something Different?
- Join Dad on YouTube!
A Taste Sensation: Smoked Wings with Yuzu Miso Glaze
Chicken wings are a universal crowd-pleaser, but our Smoked Wings with Yuzu Miso Glaze elevate this beloved snack to gourmet status. The journey begins with high-quality chicken wings, prepared for maximum crispiness. We then introduce them to the deep, nutty embrace of pecan wood smoke, a flavor profile known for its mild yet distinctive character that perfectly complements poultry. This initial smoking phase, expertly managed by the Ninja Woodfire Grill, infuses the wings with an incredible depth that sets the stage for the star of the show: the Yuzu Miso Glaze.
Yuzu, a fragrant East Asian citrus, brings a bright, complex tanginess, while miso paste delivers a rich, savory umami bomb. Together with brown sugar, minced garlic, and mirin, this glaze creates an incredible balance of sweet, salty, and acidic notes. It’s a flavor combination that dances on your palate, offering a delightful counterpoint to the smoky chicken. These wings are not just food; they’re an experience, perfect for game days, summer barbecues, or any occasion that calls for something truly special.
Why These Smoked Wings Will Become Your New Favorite
There are countless wing recipes out there, but what makes these Yuzu Miso Glazed Smoked Wings stand out? It’s the thoughtful combination of techniques and ingredients that deliver an unparalleled result:
- Unmatched Flavor Depth: The Smokin’ Pecan Pellets impart a gentle, aromatic smoke that enhances the natural richness of the chicken without overpowering it. This forms the perfect canvas for the vibrant glaze.
- Perfectly Crispy Skin: Thanks to a secret ingredient and precise cooking methods, these wings achieve an enviable crispiness that is often hard to get with smoking alone. Forget soggy wings; prepare for satisfying crunch!
- Balanced Sweet & Savory Glaze: Dad’s Yuzu Miso Glaze strikes an exquisite balance. The citrusy yuzu cuts through the richness, while the miso provides a profound umami, rounded out by the sweetness of brown sugar. It’s an addictively delicious coating.
- Effortless with the Ninja Woodfire Grill: This recipe leverages the unique capabilities of the Ninja Woodfire Grill, making the smoking and crisping process surprisingly straightforward and enjoyable for home cooks of all skill levels.
- A Unique Culinary Experience: Move beyond traditional BBQ or buffalo wings. This recipe offers an exciting fusion of American smoking traditions with sophisticated Japanese flavors, creating something truly memorable.
Top Tip for Crispy Wings: The Magic of Cornstarch
Achieving truly crispy skin on smoked or grilled chicken wings can be a challenge. Often, the moisture released during cooking can prevent the skin from rendering properly and crisping up. However, there’s a simple yet incredibly effective trick: cornstarch.
Before applying any other seasonings, a light, even dusting of cornstarch acts as a dehydrating agent on the surface of the chicken wings. As the wings cook, particularly during the high-heat “Aircrisp” phase in the Ninja Woodfire Grill, this cornstarch layer works wonders. It absorbs surface moisture, helping the skin to become remarkably crisp and golden brown, much like a good deep-fried wing, but without the need for excessive oil. The result is a delightfully crunchy exterior that locks in the juicy tenderness of the chicken, providing a textural contrast that elevates the entire dish. Don’t skip this crucial step for the ultimate crispy smoked wings!
Key Ingredients for Unforgettable Flavor
Every great recipe starts with exceptional ingredients. For these Smoked Wings with Yuzu Miso Glaze, each component plays a vital role in building the layered flavors:
For the Wings:
- Chicken Wings: Opt for whole wings or pre-cut flats and drumettes. Aim for quality, fresh chicken for the best results. About 4 lbs will yield a good batch for serving 16 individual wing pieces.
- Smokin’ Pecan Pellets: These wood pellets are specifically chosen for their mild, nutty, and subtly sweet smoke profile. Pecan smoke is less intense than hickory or mesquite, allowing the chicken’s natural flavor and the glaze to shine through beautifully. They provide that authentic smoky depth without being overpowering.
- Avocado Oil: A high smoke point oil like avocado oil is perfect for coating the wings. It helps seasonings adhere and contributes to a beautiful, even crisping without imparting any strong flavors of its own.
- Cornstarch: As our top tip highlights, cornstarch is essential for achieving that desirable crispy skin. It creates a thin, dry layer that promotes browning and crunch.
- Seasonings (Sea Salt, Ground Black Pepper, Granulated Onion, Granulated Garlic): This classic blend forms the savory base for the wings. Granulated forms are preferred over powders for a more even coating and less clumping, ensuring every bite is perfectly seasoned.
For the Yuzu Miso Glaze:
- Yuzu Extract: The star citrus. Yuzu offers a unique aromatic profile, a delightful cross between lemon, mandarin orange, and grapefruit. Its bright acidity is crucial for balancing the richness of the miso and the smokiness of the chicken. Using an extract provides concentrated flavor.
- Japanese Miso Paste: A fermented soybean paste, miso is a powerhouse of umami. Depending on the type (white, yellow, or red), it can range from mildly sweet to deeply savory. A good quality white or yellow miso is recommended for this glaze for its balanced flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and a molasses-like depth that caramelizes beautifully, contributing to the glaze’s luscious texture and appealing color. It helps to temper the saltiness of the miso and the tartness of the yuzu.
- Minced Garlic: Fresh garlic provides an aromatic foundation, enhancing the savory notes of the glaze.
- Mirin: A type of Japanese rice wine, mirin adds a subtle sweetness and a beautiful sheen to the glaze. It also contributes to the overall umami and helps to thicken the sauce as it reduces.
Each ingredient is chosen for its specific contribution, working in harmony to create a truly exceptional dish that is both familiar and excitingly new.
Crafting the Irresistible Yuzu Miso Glaze
While the smoked wings are undoubtedly delicious on their own, the Yuzu Miso Glaze is what truly elevates this dish into a culinary masterpiece. This glaze is a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and tangy, designed to cling perfectly to the crispy smoked chicken. Here’s a deeper look into preparing this flavorful sauce:
The Secret to a Balanced Glaze:
The key to Dad’s Yuzu Miso Glaze lies in achieving a perfect balance of its core components. Yuzu extract provides a unique citrusy brightness that is more complex and less acidic than lemon, with floral notes reminiscent of mandarin orange and grapefruit. This sharp, aromatic quality cuts through the richness of the chicken and the deep umami of the miso. Japanese miso paste, specifically a white or yellow variety, contributes a profound savory depth, adding layers of flavor that only fermented ingredients can offer. Its inherent saltiness is perfectly complemented by the brown sugar, which brings a mellow sweetness and helps the glaze achieve a beautiful caramelization and shine.
Building the Flavor Profile:
Minced garlic provides an essential aromatic base, marrying the diverse flavors and adding a pungent warmth. Mirin, a sweet Japanese rice wine, is crucial not just for its subtle sweetness but also for its ability to add a glossy sheen to the glaze and help it reduce to the perfect consistency. As the mixture simmers, the mirin’s alcohol evaporates, leaving behind its concentrated flavor and contributing to the glaze’s body.
Achieving the Perfect Consistency:
The instructions call for bringing the mixture to a boil and then simmering until it reduces by a quarter and thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. This reduction process is vital. It concentrates the flavors, making the glaze intensely aromatic and ensuring it adheres beautifully to the wings. Constant stirring is important during this stage to prevent the miso from sticking to the bottom of the pot and to ensure even heating and reduction. The final glaze should be thick enough to form a noticeable coating on the wings, providing that sticky, irresistible finish without being overly syrupy or thin.
This Yuzu Miso Glaze is more than just a topping; it’s an integral part of the overall flavor experience, offering a burst of bright, savory, and sweet notes that perfectly contrast and enhance the smoky pecan-infused chicken.
Smoking Wings to Perfection on Your Ninja Woodfire Grill
The Ninja Woodfire Grill is an exceptional tool for this recipe, allowing you to achieve authentic smoky flavor and crispy skin with remarkable ease. Here’s how to master the smoking and crisping process:
Initial Setup for Smoke and Crisp:
The process begins by loading your Ninja Woodfire Grill with Smokin’ Pecan Pellets. Pecan wood is ideal here; its subtle, slightly sweet smoke complements chicken beautifully without overwhelming the delicate Yuzu Miso Glaze. Set the grill to the “Aircrisp” setting, which combines the benefits of an air fryer with the grilling function, and adjust the temperature to 390°F (199°C). Crucially, activate the “Woodfire Button” to ensure that genuine wood smoke is generated and infused into your wings from the start. This dual functionality is what makes the Ninja Woodfire Grill perfect for achieving both smoky depth and crispy texture in one appliance.
Prepping the Wings:
While the grill preheats, prepare your chicken wings. Coating them in avocado oil ensures that your meticulous seasoning blend of cornstarch, salt, pepper, granulated garlic, and granulated onion adheres properly. The cornstarch, as discussed, is your secret weapon for an incredibly crispy skin. Ensure an even application on all surfaces of the wings for uniform crisping and seasoning.
The First Cook: Smoking and Partial Crisping:
Once the Ninja Woodfire Grill signals “Add Food,” it means it’s preheated and ready to smoke. Place the seasoned wings in the grill, ensuring they are arranged in a single layer to allow for even cooking and smoke penetration. Cook for an initial 20 minutes, remembering to flip them halfway through. This phase is critical: the wings absorb the wonderful pecan smoke while the Aircrisp function begins to render the fat and crisp the skin.
The Second Cook: Maximizing Crispiness and Glaze Adherence:
After the initial smoking, remove the wings and adjust the Woodfire setting to “Aircrisp” at a higher temperature of 450°F (232°C) for an additional 5 minutes. This higher heat blast is specifically designed to achieve maximum crispiness. During this brief, intense phase, the cornstarch works its magic, ensuring the skin becomes golden and shatteringly crisp. This short burst of high heat also prepares the wings for the glaze, creating a perfect surface for it to cling to.
Glazing and Finishing:
Once the wings have achieved their desired crispiness, it’s time to generously apply the Yuzu Miso Glaze. Toss the hot wings with the glaze until each piece is beautifully coated. Return the glazed wings to the grill for another 5 minutes on the “Aircrisp” setting at 450°F (232°C). This final step allows the glaze to caramelize slightly and adhere perfectly to the wings, creating a sticky, glossy, and incredibly flavorful exterior. There’s no need to flip them during this final stage. Serve promptly and enjoy the culmination of smoke, crisp, and vibrant glaze!
By following these steps, you’ll produce smoked wings that are not only infused with rich pecan flavor but also boast a satisfyingly crispy skin and an unforgettable Yuzu Miso Glaze.
The Full Recipe
Yuzu Miso Glazed Smokin Pecan Pellet Smoked Wings
Embark on a flavor adventure with Dad’s creation – Smoked Wings with Yuzu Miso Glaze. This specially developed Yuzu Miso Glaze perfectly complements the rich essence of Smokin’ Pecan Pellets in our Ninja Woodfire Grill, creating a culinary masterpiece that’s set to become a household favorite.
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Course: Appetizer | Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 16 wings | Calories: 199 kcal
Author: Dad
Equipment
- Ninja Woodfire Grill
- Smokin’ Pecan Pellets
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Saute Pan
- Whisk
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Tongs
Ingredients
For the Wings:
- 4 lbs Chicken wings
- 100 g Smokin’ Pecan Pellets
- 3 tbsp Avocado Oil
- ¼ cup Cornstarch
- 2 tbsp Sea salt
- 2 tbsp Ground black pepper
- 4 tbsp Granulated onion
- 4 tbsp Granulated garlic
For the Yuzu Miso Glaze:
- ¼ cup Yuzu extract
- ¼ cup Japanese miso paste
- 2 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Minced garlic
- ½ cup Mirin
Instructions
- Begin by loading the Ninja Woodfire Grill with Smokin’ Pecan Pellets. Set it to the “Aircrisp” setting, adjust the temperature to 390°F (199°C), and ensure the “Woodfire Button” is activated for smoke infusion.
- While the grill preheats, prepare the chicken wings. Coat them thoroughly in a fine layer of avocado oil. Follow this with an even application of cornstarch, sea salt, ground black pepper, granulated garlic, and granulated onion, ensuring each wing is meticulously seasoned.
- During the grill’s preheating phase, start preparing the Yuzu Miso Glaze. In a small pot, combine the yuzu extract, Japanese miso paste, brown sugar, minced garlic, and mirin. Bring this mixture to a boil, stirring continuously to prevent sticking. Reduce the heat and continue to stir and simmer until the glaze reduces by approximately ¼ of its volume and thickens enough to generously coat the back of a spoon.
- Once the Woodfire Grill indicates “Add Food,” carefully place the seasoned wings inside. Grill for a duration of 20 minutes, making sure to flip them midway through the cooking process to ensure even smoking and crisping.
- After the initial smoking and air frying, remove the wings from the grill. Increase the Woodfire Grill’s setting to “Aircrisp” at a higher temperature of 450°F (232°C) for an additional 5 minutes. This high-heat blast will finalize the crisping of the wing skin.
- Once the wings are perfectly crispy, return them to a large bowl and generously apply the meticulously prepared Yuzu Miso Glaze, tossing to coat every wing thoroughly. As the Woodfire Grill prompts “Add Food” again, position the glazed wings back onto the grill for another 5 minutes (without flipping this time) to allow the glaze to caramelize and set.
- Serve the prepared dish promptly and relish the culinary excellence. Your Smoked Wings with Yuzu Miso Glaze are ready to be enjoyed at their flavorful best.
Nutrition
Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 976mg | Potassium: 151mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 94IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Mention @DadGotThis or tag #DadGotThis!
Recommended Equipment & Ingredients: Take Your Grilling to the Next Level
To truly master these Smoked Wings with Yuzu Miso Glaze, having the right tools and ingredients makes all the difference. The Ninja Woodfire Grill is central to achieving that perfect smoky flavor and crispy texture, while quality pellets and unique ingredients like yuzu extract are key to the recipe’s distinctive taste.
The Ninja Woodfire Grill: Your Gateway to Backyard Smoking
If you’re looking to effortlessly infuse authentic woodfire flavor into your grilled dishes, the Ninja Woodfire Grill is an outstanding investment. Its ability to grill, smoke, and air crisp all in one compact unit makes it incredibly versatile for everything from these chicken wings to briskets and vegetables. The integrated smoke box and efficient heating elements ensure consistent results every time.
Would you like to get a Ninja Woodfire Grill of your own? Experience the convenience and incredible flavor it brings to your outdoor cooking.
Click here to check out Ninja Woodfire Grills!
Smokin’ Pecan Pellets: The Secret to Subtly Sweet Smoke
The choice of wood pellets significantly impacts the final flavor of your smoked goods. For this recipe, Smokin’ Pecan Pellets are specifically recommended. Pecan wood provides a milder, sweeter, and nuttier smoke compared to stronger woods like hickory or mesquite. This gentle smoke profile enhances the chicken’s natural flavor and creates a beautiful foundation for the complex Yuzu Miso Glaze, ensuring the smoke complements rather than overpowers the citrus and umami notes.
Don’t forget to grab some high-quality Smokin’ Pecan Pellets to achieve the perfect smoky infusion for these wings and all your pellet smoking needs!
Pecan Shell Pellets for Ninja Woodfire and all Pellet Smokers!
Investing in these quality products will not only make preparing these wings a breeze but will also open up a world of possibilities for your culinary adventures, allowing you to explore new flavors and techniques with confidence.
Looking for Something Different? Explore Dad’s Other Creations
While these Smoked Wings with Yuzu Miso Glaze are sure to be a hit, sometimes you might crave a different kind of comfort food or an equally impressive main course. DadGotThis.com is packed with a variety of delicious recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and flavorful.
If you’re in the mood for a hearty, comforting meal that’s perfect for family dinners or feeding a crowd, we highly recommend trying a classic Italian-American favorite:
Give Dad’s Instant Pot Sunday Sauce a try! This recipe brings the rich, slow-cooked flavors of a traditional Sunday gravy to your table in a fraction of the time, thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot. It’s packed with savory meatballs and tender sausage, making it a truly satisfying dish that will transport you straight to Nonna’s kitchen.
Exploring other recipes from DadGotThis.com means discovering new flavors and reliable techniques that consistently deliver delicious results for every occasion.
Join Dad on YouTube! Get More Cooking Tips and Inspiration
Want to see Dad in action and get even more cooking inspiration? Beyond the blog, Dad shares his passion for food and grilling through engaging video content. Watching a recipe being prepared can often clarify steps, offer visual tips, and inspire confidence in trying new dishes.
Go check out Dad’s YouTube channel for all kinds of great cooking videos, food-related content, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into how Dad perfects his recipes. You’ll find detailed guides, helpful hacks, and plenty of entertainment to fuel your culinary journey. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just starting your cooking adventure, Dad’s videos offer something for everyone.