Honey Hot Wings

Now, you know I love hot wings. So when I tell you this is one of my favorite hot wings recipes, that’s saying something. The sticky sweetness balanced with the kick of heat from my favorite hot sauce and a good shake of pepper flakes make out-of-this-world goodness. 💫 Plus, they’re so easy to make! They bake up in less than an hour, with no frying necessary! It’s the perfect dish for a family get-together, sports party, or even a stress-free weeknight meal. Then, the secret ingredient: baking powder. Here’s where cooking gets all scientific, but I’ll spare you the details. Basically, baking powder makes the skin less chewy and creates bubbles in the skin that crisp up beautifully in the oven. Finally, bake them on a wire rack set atop a baking sheet. The extra airflow crisps them up nicely, too.

Recipe Ingredients

How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Wings

Make the Wings

Prep – Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Then line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top. Make Marinade – In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper until well combined. Set aside. (Photo 1) Oil Wings – Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. Place them in a bowl or ziplock bag. Add oil to coat the chicken wings. Marinate – Add the spice mix to the chicken wings and mix until well-coated. Let it marinate for about an hour in the refrigerator (if you have time). (Photos 2-3) Baking Powder – Just before baking, add baking powder and toss to coat the chicken wings. (Photo 4) Bake -Place the wings in a single layer on your wire rack and bake them in a 400°F (200°C) oven for 25-30 minutes or until crispy and cooked through. Flip them after 10-15 minutes to ensure even browning. (Photo 5)

Make the Honey Hot Sauce

Melt Butter – While the wings are baking, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Season – Once melted, add the hot sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, and pepper flakes. Stir well and simmer for five minutes so the flavors meld. (Photo 6) Glaze – Once the wings are cooked, remove them from the oven and transfer them into a large bowl. Then pour the hot honey sauce glaze over the wings and toss to coat evenly. (Photo 7) Caramelize – Return the glazed wings to the wire rack and place them back in the oven for five more minutes. That helps the glaze stick to the wings for a sticky, caramelized finish. (Photo 8) Serve – Take the wings out of the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Recipe Variations

Tips and Tricks

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can make these wings a day or two ahead. You can also freeze them for up to three months. Thaw them in the fridge the night before and reheat them on a baking sheet in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes or until hot and crispy. After seasoning your chicken, arrange them on a baking sheet so they’re not touching. Freeze them for a couple of hours until solid, then store them in a freezer ziplock bag. I prefer thawing them first, but baking them from frozen is excellent in a pinch. Arrange the frozen wings on a baking sheet and put them in a cold oven. Heat to 400℉ (205℃) and bake for 45-50 minutes. Toss them in the hot honey sauce, put them back in the oven for five minutes, and enjoy.

Serving and Storage Instructions

Serve chicken wings with celery sticks and dipping sauce, such as ranch or blue cheese dressing. If you have leftovers, allow them to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Store and reheat as noted above.

What Goes With Honey Hot Wings

Serve these delicious wings with fun sides like a grilled Caesar salad, baked crispy potato wedges, and some grilled coconut corn. Don’t forget to offer your guests Southern sweet tea to take the edge off when the spiciness hits. 😆