I guess it’s fair to say that I have an obsession with chicken wings as like someone would over fried chicken. There’s this hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Vancouver that has been serving up some serious crack chicken wings for the past couple decades. Phnom Penh 金邊小館 is located in Chinatown and there is never a shortage of people lining up – a casual rainy weeknight will set you back at least 40 minutes. Yet we all happily comply! I think it’s partly because of their garlic butter sauce; and partly because of their crack dipping sauce that makes their wings so addictive!
To make these super delicious chicken wings at home a little healthier, I don’t use any powdered MSG. I substituted the umami flavour with a little fish sauce (I like using this one most) and sugar. I also replaced deep frying the chicken wings in hot oil with an air fryer (similar here).
These chicken wings are dead easy to make. They are light and crispy! A little tangy and sweet! The skin has a nice sugary crunch! It’s almost magic! All you need is some five minutes of prep time and 25 minutes of cooking time in the Actifry (you barely even have to lift a finger! You can go and enjoy that glass of wine and Netflix).
For the marinade, you will need a splash of fish sauce, sugar, corn starch, salt and pepper. For the dipping sauce you will need lime, white pepper powder and black pepper salt (I use Wu Hsing brand but you can find similar ones at any Asian supermarket). You can also use regular ground black pepper if you can’t find it. You can also add some BBQ spices for extra flavour!
I highly encourage you to make extra dipping sauce… you’ll want to double dip!

Phnom Penh Cambodian Fried Chicken Wings Recipe | Actifry Air Fryer
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 25
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 2 lbs 1x
- Category: Chicken Wings
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Cambodian
Description
Phnom Penh Cambodian style fried chicken wings recipe – light and crispy. Easy to make in 30 minutes. Actifry Air Fryer recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken wings
- 1 cup corn starch
Chicken Wing Marinade
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 4–6 garlic (minced)
- dash of salt and pepper
Dipping Sauce
- 3–4 tbsp white pepper powder
- 1 tbsp black pepper salt
- 1 lime juice
Optional
- 1 tbsp butter (for air fryer)
- 1 stalk fine chopped green onions and cilantro for garnish
Instructions
Chicken Wings
- In a large mixing bowl, mix fish sauce, sugar, salt and pepper, and minced garlic.
- Add chicken wings, toss and let marinade in fridge for 20 minutes. (Longer is ok too)
- In a large bowl, place corn starch and coat the chicken wings. Shake off excess flour.
- Add 1 tbsp of butter if you want that extra garlic butter flavour. For a healthier version, you do not need to add any oil. The chicken wings will give off enough oil for cooking.
- Using a pair of tongs, add the chicken wings to the air fryer pan.
- Turn on Actifry and set timer to 25 minutes.
- Enjoy that glass of wine and come back with the timer beeps.
- On a rack or paper towels, let the chicken wings rest for a few minutes. Be careful – the chicken wings are VERY HOT straight out of the air fryer! You do not want to burn your tongue!
Dipping Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, white pepper powder and black pepper salt. You will want enough pepper so that the lime juice turn into a grey-ish colour.
Dip your wings in that peppery lime sauce and enjoy!
Notes
If you do not have an air fryer you can bake the chicken wings for 45 minutes at 420F. Flipping every 20 to 30 mins.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
Keywords: chicken wings, air fryer, actifry, phnom phen, cambodian style, 金邊, 炸雞翅, 金邊炸雞翅
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I would like to try recipe! What temp do I set for the air fryer?
The cooking temperature of the Actifry is approximately 180°C (160°C at the heart of the food) at the end of the cooking.
If you have the option to set your air fryer temperatue I would set it to 180C.
We visit Vancouver often, and love to visit Chinatown to eat . I’m excited to visit Phnom Penh! Thanks for sharing this, Nancy. And I can’t wait to make these delicious wings!
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yay!!!
Wish I lived close enough to try those crack wings- yum! But fortunately I have this recipe now – can’t wait to try it!
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Next time when you’re in the area! But I suggest doubling batching this bad boy!
I love wings! I will have to try the oven method or use my mini deep fryer. That garlic butter sauce sounds lovely. Do let me know when you have cracked the recipe for it!
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Hahaa I’m sure the secret spice is a family heirloom!
Wow, the way you described the wings with the garlic butter sauce at that little restaurant sounds AMAZING. I don’t have an air fryer but I’ve thought about buying one for a long time! Pinning this recipe to make!
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maybe this recipe will persuade you to get an air fryer? haha but don’t worry, you can make this in the oven toO!!
These have now moved to the top of my list. The TOP! I haven’t been to this location and I live in Vancouver! lol I don’t really eat out much and I love this version as it can be relatively healthy. I’m going to try baking these!
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Hi Sharon i’m so surprised you haven’t been to PP!! You definitely need to and make sure you call ahead if doing take out. Hope these will help at home to satisfy the craving!
This seems easy! I wish I have an air-fryer to make this. Love me some fried chicken wings at home from time to time.
YUP! just marinade it, loaded it up and come back to yummy wings!
I don’t have an AirFryer so thank you for including the oven method! I love crispy wings and these sound so good!
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Yes, I’ve made both method and it works out just perfectly!
I love the flavours you used in this recipe! Making extra dipping sauce sounds like a good idea.
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extra dipping sauce is necessary. You will probably want more half way thru! 😛 very addictive!
I have heard about this place….but we didn’t have enough time to visit all of the places on our list the last time we were in Vancouver. I need to get an air fryer just so I can make wings at home!!
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Oh Bernice! it’s a must when you visit Vancouver. Just make sure you order what everyone is ordering at the restaurant and you can’t go wrong!