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These homemade hot honey chicken wings are cooked to crispy perfection and are coated in a delicious hot honey sauce. They are perfect for game day gatherings or an easy weeknight dinner! Bake, grill, air fry or deep fry these wings.
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Pin ItHomemade chicken wings are one of my go-to easy dinners. The prep is minimal and they bake in the oven or air fryer while you prepare an easy side dish. Personally, I love baked wings since they come out perfectly tender with crispy edges without deep frying in oil. But you can grill or fry these wings too.
Hot honey is the perfect balance of savory and sweet. The wings have a bit of a kick but are not so spicy that you can barely taste other food. The sticky sauce is a homemade hot honey sauce recipe made with just 3 ingredients.
Enjoy crispy, juicy wings any day of the week! If you love wings, try our other chicken wing recipes like Baked Mango Habanero Wings or Crispy Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings.
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe is the Best
- Packed with flavor: Simple seasonings and a delicious hot honey sauce elevate the flavor these wings.
- Comes together easily: For this easy recipe, you just need to toss the wings with the seasoning and bake in the oven or your preferred method before coating with the sauce.
- Versatile: Enjoy crispy baked wings as an appetizer, game day snack or easy weeknight meal when served with a simple side. You can also cook them with any method of your choice.
- Easy to adapt: Make them more or less sweet or spicy, to your desired taste.
How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Wings
You have a variety of options for making this hot honey chicken wings recipe. The standard recipe includes baking the wings, but instructions for other methods of cooking are below.
- In a large bowl, toss the chicken wings with the seasonings – baking powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and black pepper.
- Use your preferred method of cooking. No matter which method you use, you will have tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken wings.
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce by heating the hot sauce, butter, and honey in a small saucepan.
- Coat the wings in the sauce and cook for an additional 2 to 5 minutes, depending on cooking method.
Full measurements and methods for cooking are below.
Baking Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. I also like to place a wire rack in the rimmed sheet pan so the sauce drips down during the last step. Arrange the wings on the pan in a single layer. Bake for 20 minutes, then flip the wings, and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes. Coat the wings in the sauce and return to the oven for 5 minutes.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The chicken wings are done when the juices run clear and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 165°.
Grilling Instructions
Preheat the grill to medium heat (375-400°F). Add the wings and grill for 18 to 25 minutes, turning once halfway through. The wings are done when the internal temperature register 165°F on a meat thermometer. Toss the wings in the hot honey sauce before serving. You can also grill for an additional 2-3 minutes with the sauce to set the flavors.
Grilling is perfect for when you want crispy charred wings with grilled flavor!
Air Fryer Instructions
Add the wings to an air fryer basket and air fry at 380°F for 20 to 25 minutes, tossing once halfway through, or until the internal temp reaches 165°F. Toss in the sauce before serving.
Frying Instructions
Add 1/2 cup vegetable oil to a deep fryer or deep pot set over medium-high. The oil should be enough to fill at least 1 inch. Once the oil reaches 350°F on an instant read thermometer, carefully fry the wings for 8 – 10 minutes, or until crispy on all sides. Place the wings on a wired rack to drain the excess oil, then toss in the sauce. Serve immediately or you can finish in the oven at 375°F for 5 minutes.
Recipe Tips
- Pat the wings dry with a paper towel to remove any moisture – This helps ensure crispy wings.
- Flip the wings while cooking – This ensures everything is cooked evenly.
- Line the baking sheet with aluminum foil – This helps make clean up easy. Just toss the foil when you’re done.
- Make a double batch – If you’re looking to feed a larger crowd, you can double and even triple this recipe to feed a crowd.
- Do not overcook – Bake until the wings are cooked through and reach 165°F. Perfectly baked wings will be crispy and tender. You do not want to overcook the meat.
Variations
- Add garlic flavor: To make garlic hot honey wings, add 2-3 teaspoons of minced garlic to the sauce when heating on the stove. Start with 1 teaspoon and adjust to taste.
- Add more or less heat (spicy flavor): If you’re looking for more heat, add a pinch of cayenne or dried chili flakes to the sauce when heating on the stove. Also feel free to experiment with a different kind of hot sauce to turn up the heat!
- Alternative cooking methods: You can bake, grill, air fry or deep fry these wings. Instructions for each method are provided in the recipe card below.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken wings are a versatile dish that tastes great with a variety of dishes. They are a game day classic and are the perfect appetizer for parties. Or enjoy them as an easy dinner any day of the week. Here are a few of our favorite side dishes and appetizers to serve with these wings.
- Carrot Sticks and Ranch Dressing
- Sautéed Corn
- Sautéed Carrots
- Cheeseburger Egg Rolls
- Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can air fry hot honey wings at 380°F for 20 to 20 minutes, tossing once halfway, until the temperature reaches 165°F on a meat thermometer.
Baking powder helps the wings get crispy. Also, if you’re baking the wings, be sure to flip them once while baking to ensure all sides get crispy.
Yes, you can switch out the type of hot sauce to add more heat. Or add a pinch of cayenne to the sauce or more dried red pepper flakes.
Yes, you can use chicken thighs or breasts to make hot honey chicken, but the cook temperature and time will be different.
Hot Honey Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 4 pounds chicken wings, drums and flats
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, (optional)
Hot Honey Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Season the wings with baking powder, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste.
- Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and add the wings to the pan. Bake for 20 minutes, flip the wings, and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium, melt the butter. Add the honey and hot sauce, whisking until incorporated. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
- When the wings are done, remove them from the oven and carefully transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle half of the sauce over the wings and toss to coat.
- Return the wings to the pan and bake for 5 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
