Spicy Peanut Chicken Wings with Mushroom Jollof Fonio Pilaf

West African-inspired spicy chicken wings, a wet rub made with peanut butter, onion, bell peppers, lemon, ginger, tomatoes, hot peppers, and thyme and served with a Fonio Pilaf using Yolélé’s Flavored Jollof Fonio Pilaf tossed in sauteed mushrooms, garlic, tomatoes, red bell pepper, thyme, and parsley.

Table of Contents

Jump to:

• Spicy Peanut Haven
• Why This Recipe Works?
• Food Across Cultures
• Ingredients with Steps
• Culinary Glossary
• Equipment
• Kitchen Must-Haves Reviews
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Storage
• 5 Cooking Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• African Recipes
• Air Fryer Recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• Subscribe to My YouTube Channel
• Have a Comment or Question?

Spicy Peanut Haven

Ready for a memorable weeknight dinner meal? These Spicy Peanut Chicken Wings with Mushroom Jollof Fonio Pilaf unite bold West African and contemporary flavors into one unforgettable, protein-packed meal.

Vibrant Peanut-Spicy Rub

Our air‑fried wings are coated in a vibrant peanut‑spicy rub, ginger, lemon, smoked paprika, and scotch bonnet, bringing zing and warmth. The rich peanut butter helps form a glossy, caramelized crust when air‑fried at 375°F.

In Celebration of Jollof

On the side, we’ve created a delicious Jollof‑style fonio pilaf that's light and naturally gluten‑free. Fonio is stirred with Jollof‑seasoned grains, garlic, tomatoes, and sautéed mushrooms for an earthy texture.

Why This Recipe Works?

• Air fryer crispiness – No deep frying needed. The wings come out crispy in about 20 minutes with less oil and mess.
• Peanut and scotch bonnet fusion – A nod to West African suya and Indonesian satay. This combo brings balanced heat, umami, and depth of flavor.
• Fonio meets Jollof – Fonio cooks fast and soaks up the classic tomato-based Jollof spices, offering a bold, earthy grain alternative that’s naturally gluten-free.
• Meal prep friendly – The peanut marinade works best overnight, and both components can be made in under 45 minutes for an easy weeknight win or entertaining spread.

Food Across Cultures

Now, fonio has been around for ages. But in my bubble on the other side of the hemisphere, I never knew it existed. There was always an attachment between West Africa and my Haitian culture, but I was never able to see it until I was older.

From fufu, grains, and porridges to eating stewed meats with rice and plantain, to so much fish! Meanwhile, I'd watch videos, see pictures of Nigerian food, and say, "Hey! This looks very familiar!".

The Right Connection

The great thing about food is that it can touch so many lives in different ways, leaving memories and connections. I think this is why I'm so connected to it. It is my way of reaching out to others. I'm a shy person. And when I don't speak, I can feed.

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• Best Peach Piri Piri Chicken with Fonio Kale Salad
• Spicy Shrimp Farro Risotto with Mushrooms and Peas
• Crispy Air Fryer Honey Jerk Rubbed Chicken Wings
• Quick Air Fryer Lime Chicken Wings with Spicy Green Sauce
• Easy Air Fryer Sticky Date Teriyaki Chicken Wings

Ingredients with Steps

Start by tossing your chicken wings with a bold blend of peanut butter, smoked paprika, ground ginger, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and a splash of lemon juice.

For heat, finely chop a scotch bonnet pepper and mix it right in. Let everything marinate for a few hours or even better, overnight, so those flavors really soak in. When you're ready, air fry the wings until the skin is crispy and the inside is juicy and tender.

While the wings cook, heat a bit of olive oil in a saucepan and sauté diced onion, minced garlic, and chopped mushrooms until softened and golden. Stir in your crushed tomatoes, sprinkle in some smoked paprika and dried thyme, and season with salt and black pepper.

Add the rinsed fonio, pour in the chicken broth, cover, and let it steam until light and fluffy. Fluff with a fork, taste for seasoning, and serve alongside the wings.

Culinary Glossary

This section provides concise definitions of key ingredients and techniques to enhance understanding and improve cooking skills related to this recipe.

• Fonio – A tiny, ancient grain from West Africa that cooks quickly and has a light, nutty flavor. It’s naturally gluten-free and often used like couscous or quinoa.
• Jollof – A popular West African rice dish cooked in a tomato-based sauce with onions, bell peppers, spices, and broth. The term here is used for a "Jollof-style" seasoning method applied to fonio.
• Scotch Bonnet Pepper – A small, fiery chili pepper common in Caribbean and West African cooking. It adds serious heat and a fruity undertone.
• Smoked Paprika – A spice made from dried, smoked red peppers. It brings a deep, smoky flavor and rich color to dishes.
• Suya – A West African spice mix usually made with ground peanuts, ginger, chili, and other spices. It’s traditionally used to coat grilled meats.
• Marinate – To soak food (usually protein) in a flavorful liquid or paste for a period of time before cooking. This enhances both flavor and tenderness.
• Fluff (Fonio) – A technique where you gently stir cooked grains with a fork to separate them and make them light and airy rather than sticky or clumpy.
• Sauté – To cook food quickly in a small amount of oil over medium-high heat, usually to soften vegetables or build flavor.

Equipment

• Mixing Bowls - Used to combine and marinate the chicken wings with spices and peanut butter. Or use any large food-safe container or even a gallon-size zip-top bag for marinating.
• Food Processor - Helps finely chop or blend spicy ingredients like scotch bonnet pepper into the marinade, making sure the heat and flavor are distributed evenly. Or use a mini chopper, blender, or carefully hand-chopping with gloves and a sharp knife.
• Air Fryer - Crisps the wings without needing to deep fry, circulates hot air to get golden brown skin with minimal oil. Use a convection oven or bake at 425°F on a wire rack-lined baking sheet as an alternative.
• Tongs - Helpful for turning the wings in the air fryer or transferring them without piercing the meat. Or use a slotted spoon or clean hands (if cooled), work in a pinch.
• Medium Saucepan with Lid - Used to sauté the mushrooms, aromatics, and cook the fonio in broth. A small pot with a tight-fitting lid or a deep skillet with a lid can also work.
• Fine Mesh Strainer - Rinses fonio before cooking to remove excess starch or dust from the grains. Not all Fonio needs to be rinsed; make sure to read the product's instructions. You can also use a cheesecloth over a colander or a nut milk bag (fonio grains are very small and can slip through larger holes).
• Fork - Simply used to fluff the fonio after cooking for a light texture. Alternatively, a rice paddle or spatula can also do the job, just avoid smashing the grains.

Kitchen Must-Haves Reviews

Find a collection of my reviews of kitchen equipment that I have purchased or recommend. Kitchen Must-Haves - Find other tools I use here.

Substitutions

Dairy Free

• Yay! This recipe is already dairy-free.

Gluten-Free

• Bonus! This recipe is also gluten-free.

Vegetarian

• Chicken Wings - All of the above can be cooked in the air fryer or oven, and are perfect for soaking up the spicy peanut sauce. Try the suggestions below.
  • Cauliflower Florets – Toss in the same spicy peanut marinade and roast or air fry until crispy and golden.
  • Extra-Firm Tofu – Press, cube, and marinate just like the wings. Air fry or pan-sear until browned.
  • Tempeh – Slice and coat in the marinade, then bake or air fry for a nutty, protein-rich option.
  • Seitan Strips – Great for a “meaty” bite that holds up well to bold flavors.

Convenience

• Fresh Ginger - one tablespoon of ginger paste for every one-and-a-half-inch ginger piece
• Dried Thyme - Two stems of thyme with leaves picked, or add whole to cooking and remove before serving, for every quarter teaspoon of dried thyme
• Yolele Fonio - You can use regular fonio. Or you can use couscous, rice, or quinoa cooked as instructed on its package, then tossed with the rest of the ingredients. However, you will need to add more seasoning; try adding paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder.
• Cremini Mushrooms - You can use fresh shiitake, white button, or small diced portobello mushrooms.

Change Heat Level - Modify the recipe's heat level to your liking and learn more about the Scoville Scale and Chili Pairings.

Variations

Grilled Chicken

This marinade would make a great outdoor grilled chicken and even an air fryer grilled chicken recipe. You could also probably use the marinade to make chicken skewers in the oven or on the grill. For example, it would definitely be a great chicken skewer BBQ recipe.

The onion marinade will tenderize your meat well, creating a delicious wet rub coat. It's like the perfect summer chicken recipe! You can also probably serve this chicken with Nigerian jollof rice. Jollof rice and chicken? You can't go wrong.

Oven Baked

If using the oven, place the oven rack in the center and preheat to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, pour the chicken and its marinade into a 9x13 deep baking dish. Set the cooking timer for 45 minutes. After 20 minutes, flip each piece and spread it evenly to continue frying.

Finally, check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer on the thickest chicken piece. It should be at or over 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Storage

Storage

Let everything cool completely before storing. Keep the spicy peanut chicken wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store the mushroom jollof fonio pilaf separately in its own container to preserve texture and prevent it from absorbing too much sauce or moisture.

Reheating

• Wings: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5–7 minutes or in a 350°F oven for 10–12 minutes. Skip the microwave unless you’re okay with softer skin.
• Fonio Pilaf: Warm in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water to rehydrate. Stir occasionally until hot and fluffy.

Freezer Option

Both components freeze well! Store in separate freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

African Recipes

Looking for other African-inspired recipes like this? Try these:

Air Fryer Recipes

Looking for other air fryer recipes like this? Try these:

📖 Recipe

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