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This hot honey chicken wing recipe transforms humble chicken wings into a show-stopping appetizer with the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. The crispy oven-baked wings get tossed in a homemade hot honey glaze that caramelizes beautifully for that irresistible sticky finish your guests will love.
I first made these wings for a Super Bowl party and they disappeared faster than any other dish on the table. Now my friends specifically request these wings whenever we gather to watch sports or even just for casual get togethers.
Ingredients
- Chicken wings: The star of the show look for meatier pieces when possible
- Paprika: Adds a subtle smokiness and beautiful color
- Garlic powder and onion powder: Create depth of flavor without the extra prep
- Cornstarch: The secret to achieving crispy skin without frying
- Honey: Forms the base of our glaze use local if you can for the best flavor
- Frank's RedHot Original sauce: Provides the perfect tangy heat level
- Red pepper flakes: Allow you to customize the spice level
- Fresh garlic: In the sauce adds complexity that powder simply cannot match
- Butter: Creates richness and helps the sauce cling to the wings
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep and Season:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place a wire rack on top. This setup allows air to circulate around the entire wing resulting in even crispiness. In a large bowl combine paprika garlic powder onion powder salt pepper and cornstarch until well mixed. Add the chicken wings and toss until every piece is evenly coated. The cornstarch creates a microscopically thin layer that will crisp up beautifully.
- Arrange and Bake:
- Place the seasoned wings on the prepared rack skin side up making sure they do not touch. This spacing ensures hot air can flow between each piece ensuring maximum crispness. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes flipping once halfway through cooking. You will know they are ready when the skin is golden brown and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Prepare the Glaze:
- While the wings bake melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once melted add honey hot sauce red pepper flakes minced garlic and salt. Whisk continuously as the mixture comes to a gentle simmer. Allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon but still remain pourable. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Glaze and Caramelize:
- When the wings are done brush or toss them with about half of the hot honey mixture making sure to get into all the crevices. Return them to the oven for another 5 to 10 minutes until the glaze begins to caramelize and bubble. Watch closely during this stage as the honey can burn quickly. For extra crispiness switch to broil for the final 3 minutes but do not walk away from the oven.
- Serve and Garnish:
- Transfer the glazed wings to a serving platter and drizzle with the remaining sauce. The contrast between the caramelized coating and the fresh glaze creates incredible depth of flavor. Sprinkle with sliced green onions additional red pepper flakes and sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately while still hot and crispy.
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The cornstarch in this recipe was my game changing discovery after years of disappointing homemade wings. It creates that restaurant quality crispiness that I thought was impossible without deep frying. My husband who claimed to only like deep fried wings actually prefers these now.
Spice Level Customization
The beauty of making your own hot honey sauce is complete control over the heat level. For mild wings that even spice sensitive guests will enjoy use just 1 tablespoon of hot sauce and omit the red pepper flakes completely. For medium heat follow the recipe as written. For those who truly love spicy food double the red pepper flakes and add a dash of cayenne pepper to the sauce. You can also serve extra hot sauce on the side allowing everyone to adjust to their preference.
Make Ahead Options
These wings can be prepped in stages to make entertaining easier. Season the wings up to 24 hours in advance and store covered in the refrigerator. The dry ingredients in the seasoning actually work better when they have time to penetrate the meat. The hot honey sauce can be made up to three days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Gently reheat before using. On the day of serving all you need to do is bake and glaze.
Serving Suggestions
While these wings are delicious on their own consider creating a wing bar experience with multiple sauces. Serve the hot honey wings alongside classic buffalo ranch and barbecue varieties. For sides offer cooling elements like celery and carrot sticks with blue cheese or ranch dipping sauce. The fresh vegetables provide a nice texture contrast and help balance the heat. For a complete game day spread add some loaded potato skins nachos and a batch of cold beverages.
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These hot honey chicken wings are a guaranteed crowd pleaser packed with bold flavors and a crispy finish your guests will rave about.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How do you make the wings crispy?
Coating the wings with cornstarch and baking them on a wire rack allows heat to circulate evenly, ensuring crispiness. Turning them mid-cooking and a final broiling step enhance their crunch further.
- → Can the hot honey sauce be adjusted for spiciness?
Absolutely! Reduce the chili flakes or omit them for a milder version, or add extra for more heat. Experiment with the Frank's RedHot sauce quantity as preferred.
- → Can these wings be prepared in advance?
Yes, you can season the wings and store them in the fridge before baking. Reheat cooked wings in an oven at 180°C (350°F) to maintain crispiness.
- → What are some serving suggestions for these wings?
Serve them with garnishes like green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Pair with sides such as ranch dressing, blue cheese dip, or vegetable sticks for a complete platter.
- → How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in an oven at 180°C (350°F) for 10 minutes to restore their crisp texture.