Hot Honey Chicken Wings Recipe – Sweet Heat in Every Bite
The first time I made these hot honey chicken wings, I couldn’t believe how quickly they became the star of the meal. The combination of crispy, juicy wings coated in a sweet and spicy sauce blew me away. It’s the kind of dish you crave after just one bite.
What’s even better is how easy they are to prepare, whether you’re using an air fryer, oven, or deep frying. Believe me, once you try this recipe, it’s going to be your go-to for game nights, parties, or just when you want a satisfying treat.
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Ingredients for Hot Honey Chicken Wings Recipe
Here are some ingredients for hot honey chicken wings:
For the Chicken Wings
- 1.5 lbs chicken wings (approximately 12 wings)
- ½ tablespoon aluminum-free baking powder (omit if deep frying)
- ½ tablespoon potato starch (or substitute with corn starch)
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
For the Hot Honey Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2-4 tablespoons hot sauce (use your favorite, like Habanero or Frank’s Red Hot)
- 2 tablespoons honey (any type works, spicy honey adds an extra kick)
- ⅛ teaspoon salt (optional, based on the hot sauce used)
Note: This recipe serves 2-3 people.
Best Variations to Try
This recipe is very flexible, so you can customize it to suit your taste or dietary needs. Try these ideas:
- Vegan option: Replace the chicken wings with cauliflower florets and use plant-based butter in the hot honey sauce.
- Different sauces: Swap the hot honey sauce for barbecue, teriyaki, or garlic parmesan for a different flavor profile.
- Lower sodium: Reduce the amount of seasoned and garlic salt, or opt for low-sodium hot sauce.
- Extra kick: Add red chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the sauce for an extra-spicy version.
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Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Equipment You Need
- Air fryer: For quick, crispy wings without deep frying.
- Mixing bowls: To season the wings and prepare the sauce.
- Tongs: For flipping wings during cooking.
- Baking rack: Ideal if baking in an oven to keep wings crispy.
- Skillet: For making hot honey sauce.
How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Wings?
These delectable wings come together quickly and easily. Follow these steps for flawless results every time.
Prepare the Wings
Start by patting the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for achieving that perfect crispy texture. If the wings aren’t pre-trimmed, you can cut them into drumettes and flats for even cooking.
Toss the wings with baking powder, potato starch, garlic salt, seasoned salt, black pepper, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Ensure every wing is well-coated with the seasoning mix.
Air Fry the Wings
If using an air fryer, preheat it to 400°F. Place the wings in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding so air can circulate. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip the wings and continue cooking for another 10 minutes.
Depending on your fryer, the wings may need an additional 5 minutes until they’re golden and crispy.
Oven Bake Instructions
If baking, preheat the oven to 400°F and arrange the wings on a baking rack set over a tray. Bake for 45 minutes, flipping halfway through. This method also creates wonderfully crispy wings without frying.
Prepare the Hot Honey Sauce
While the wings cook, melt butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Stir in your choice of hot sauce and honey, blending until the mixture thickens slightly. Taste the sauce and adjust with a pinch of salt if needed.
This luscious combination of sweet and spicy transforms ordinary wings into something unforgettable.
Toss and Serve
Once the wings are fully cooked, transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Pour the hot honey butter sauce over the wings, tossing until evenly coated. Serve immediately to enjoy the wings while they’re nice and hot.
How Much Sugar Is in Hot Honey?
Hot honey usually contains around 17 grams of sugar per tablespoon, primarily due to the natural sugars in honey and any additional sugars in the hot sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
Here’s why these wings are a winning option:
- Quick and easy: Perfect for last-minute meals or snacks.
- Customizable: Adjust the spice and flavor to your liking.
- Health-conscious: Air frying or oven baking keeps them lighter.
- Crowd-pleaser: A hit at parties or family dinners.
How to Serve Hot Honey Chicken Wings?
These wings shine on their own but pair beautifully with sides like crisp celery sticks and blue cheese or ranch dressing. For presentation, arrange the wings on a platter with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or sesame seeds.
Serve alongside a bowl of the remaining hot honey sauce for extra dipping. Also, pair it with the Smoked Paprika Chicken for a hearty meal option.
Nutritional Information
For a quick snapshot, here’s what you’re getting per serving:
- Calories: 90
- Protein: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fat: 5g
Make Ahead and Storage
If you’d like to prepare these wings ahead of time, you can season them and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking. Keep the hot honey sauce separate until you’re ready to serve.
Leftover cooked wings can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in an air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes to regain their crispness.
Tips for Making the Recipe
From my experience, a few tricks can make your wings perfect:
- Always dry the wings well before seasoning; it ensures crispy skin.
- Use aluminum-free baking powder to avoid any bitter aftertaste.
- Don’t overcrowd the wings in the air fryer or on the baking tray.
- Taste the sauce before tossing to adjust the balance of sweetness and heat.
Is Hot Honey Healthy?
While hot honey is calorie-dense due to its sugar content, it offers some benefits in moderation. The capsaicin in hot sauce may boost metabolism, and honey can provide antioxidants. However, it’s best enjoyed as an occasional treat for balanced eating.
Hot Honey Chicken Wings Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Start by patting the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for achieving that perfect crispy texture. If the wings aren’t pre-trimmed, you can cut them into drumettes and flats for even cooking. Toss the wings with baking powder, potato starch, garlic salt, seasoned salt, black pepper, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Ensure every wing is well-coated with the seasoning mix.
- If using an air fryer, preheat it to 400°F. Place the wings in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding so air can circulate. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip the wings and continue cooking for another 10 minutes. Depending on your fryer, the wings may need an additional 5 minutes until they’re golden and crispy.
- If baking, preheat the oven to 400°F and arrange the wings on a baking rack set over a tray. Bake for 45 minutes, flipping halfway through. This method also creates wonderfully crispy wings without frying.
- While the wings cook, melt butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Stir in your choice of hot sauce and honey, blending until the mixture thickens slightly. Taste the sauce and adjust with a pinch of salt if needed. This luscious combination of sweet and spicy transforms ordinary wings into something unforgettable.
- Once the wings are fully cooked, transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Pour the hot honey butter sauce over the wings, tossing until evenly coated. Serve immediately to enjoy the wings while they’re nice and hot.