Hot Honey Wings Recipe

5 from 4 votes

These hot honey wings are the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, tossed in homemade hot honey sauce, perfect for parties or for yourself!

Prep Time10

Cook Time40

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chicken wings, hot honey

Servings:

Calories: 406kcal

Author: Mike Hultquist

Ingredients

FOR THE CHICKEN WINGS

2 pounds chicken wings separated and wing tips removed
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne optional, for extra spicy – or use ghost pepper powder!
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Extra seasonings as desired
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

FOR THE HOT HONEY SAUCE

2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon hot chili flakes or use crushed dried chilies, or 1 fresh hot chili, sliced
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon hot sauce optional – use your favorite!
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar optional

Instructions

PREP THE CHICKEN WINGS

Pat the wings as dry as you can get them. This will help with the crispiness.
Set the wings into a large bowl and season with baking powder, paprika, cayenne, garlic, salt and pepper. Toss to get them nice and coated. The baking powder helps with the crispiness.

FOR BAKED CHICKEN WINGS

Heat oven to 250 degrees F. Set the wings onto a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.
Increase oven heat to 425 degrees F. Flip the chicken wings and bake another 30 minutes, or until the wings are cooked through and the skins are nice and crispy.

FOR AIR FRYER CHICKEN WINGS

Pat the chicken wings as dry as you can with paper towels.
Set the chicken wings into a large bowl and toss them with the baking powder, paprika, cayenne, garlic, salt and pepper, to evenly coat the skin.
Oil the air fryer basket with vegetable oil and set the seasoned chicken wings into the air fryer basket in an even layer. Air fry at 250 degrees F for 15 minutes.
Flip the chicken wings, then set the air fryer temperature to 400 degrees F. Air fry for another 15-20 minutes, or to your desired crispiness. Internal temperature of chicken wings should reach 165 degrees F internally when measured with a meat thermometer.

FOR THE HOT HONEY SAUCE

Add the butter to a small pot over medium heat. When melted, add the chili flakes, honey, and optional hot sauce. Simmer for 1-2 minutes to infuse the honey with the pepper flavor and heat. Do not allow the honey to boil.
Remove from heat and stir in the vinegar (if using). If using fresh peppers, strain the honey into a jar. If using dried peppers, strain only if desired.

TO SERVE

Toss the finished chicken wings in the hot honey sauce and serve!

Notes

For GRILLED WINGS: Grill the seasoned wings for 20 minutes over medium-high heat, flipping once half way through, or until cooked through. Toss with hot honey.

Nutrition