Get ready to discover your new favorite appetizer. These Hot Honey Chicken Wings deliver an unforgettable crunch, a fiery kick, and a luscious sweet finish that will have everyone reaching for more. We’ve cracked the code for achieving perfectly crispy skin without a deep fryer, paired with a simple yet incredibly addictive hot honey sauce. Whether you’re prepping for game day, a party, or just a delicious weeknight dinner, this recipe is a guaranteed winner.
Forget soggy, disappointing wings. This guide will walk you through two foolproof methods—baking and air frying—to get that shatteringly crisp texture you crave. Plus, the homemade hot honey sauce is so easy, you’ll never go back to the store-bought stuff.
Why You’ll Love These Hot Honey Chicken Wings
This isn’t just another wing recipe; it’s an upgrade to your entire appetizer game. Here’s why this will become your go-to method for wings.
Unbelievably Crispy: We use a secret ingredient—baking powder—to draw out moisture and create an irresistibly crunchy exterior. No frying oil required!
Perfectly Balanced Flavor: The sauce is the star. It’s a simple combination of sweet honey, fiery hot sauce, and rich butter that creates a complex, addictive glaze.
Two Ways to Cook: Whether you prefer the oven or the air fryer, we provide clear, step-by-step instructions to ensure perfect results every time.
The Ultimate Crowd-Pleaser: These wings are perfect for any occasion. Serve them as a star appetizer at your next party or alongside some sweet potato fries for a fantastic meal.
The final, most satisfying step: tossing the crispy wings in that glorious hot honey sauce.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Wings
We’re using simple, high-quality ingredients to build incredible layers of flavor. The focus is on a super-crispy wing and a perfectly balanced sauce.
For the Crispy Chicken Wings
Chicken Wings: You’ll need about 3 pounds of chicken wings, split into drumettes and flats. Patting them completely dry is the most crucial first step for crispy skin.
Baking Powder: This is our secret weapon! It raises the pH of the chicken skin, helping it to brown and crisp up beautifully. Make sure it’s aluminum-free to avoid any metallic taste.
Seasonings: A simple blend of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper is all you need to season the chicken perfectly before cooking.
For the Hot Honey Sauce
Honey: The sweet backbone of our sauce. Use a quality clover honey or your favorite variety.
Hot Sauce: Frank’s RedHot Original provides the classic “buffalo” flavor and a perfect level of heat. Feel free to use your favorite brand.
Butter: Unsalted butter adds richness and helps create a smooth, glossy sauce that clings to every wing.
Apple Cider Vinegar: A splash of vinegar cuts through the richness and balances the sweetness of the honey.
How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Wings (Step-by-Step)
Follow these simple steps for the crispiest, juiciest wings of your life. The process is straightforward and yields spectacular results.
Step 1: Dry and Season the Wings
First, pat your chicken wings completely dry with paper towels. This step is non-negotiable for crispy skin! In a large bowl, combine the baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the dry wings to the bowl and toss thoroughly until each wing is evenly coated in the seasoning mixture.
Step 2: Cook the Wings (Oven vs. Air Fryer)
You have two excellent options for cooking these wings to crispy perfection. Choose the method that works best for you.
For Crispy Oven-Baked Wings
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange the seasoned wings in a single layer on a wire rack set inside a foil-lined baking sheet. The wire rack is essential for allowing air to circulate, crisping the entire wing. Bake for 35-45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the wings are golden brown and crispy.
For Crispy Air Fryer Wings
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd it (work in batches if necessary). Air fry for 18-22 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the wings halfway through, until they are deeply golden and crisp.
Look at that perfect, sticky glaze! The combination of sweet and spicy is irresistible.
Step 3: Prepare the Hot Honey Sauce
While the wings are cooking, prepare the sauce. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the honey, hot sauce, melted butter, and apple cider vinegar. Whisk everything together and bring it to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes for the flavors to meld. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Step 4: Toss and Serve
Once the wings are cooked, transfer them to a large, clean bowl. Pour the warm hot honey sauce over the top. Toss gently until every wing is coated in the glossy, delicious sauce. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley or sliced green onions if desired.
Pro Tips for the Crispiest, Most Flavorful Wings
Dry is Key: We can’t say it enough. The drier the wing, the crispier the skin. You can even let the wings air-dry, uncovered, on a wire rack in the refrigerator for a few hours for maximum crispiness.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Whether you’re baking or air frying, give the wings space. Overcrowding will steam the wings, making them soggy.
Sauce at the End: Always toss the wings in the sauce right after they come out of the oven or air fryer. This ensures they stay crispy.
Adjust the Heat: Love it extra spicy? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few more dashes of hot sauce to the glaze.
Serving Suggestions
These Hot Honey Chicken Wings are a star on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with classic sides. Serve them with celery and carrot sticks with a side of blue cheese or ranch dressing. They also make a great main course alongside other game day favorites like our Buffalo Chicken Sliders or some delicious Pepperoni Pizza Bombs.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat and bring back some of their crispiness, place them in an air fryer or oven preheated to 375°F (190°C) for 5-8 minutes, until heated through and crisp.
Yes! You can cook the wings ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat them in a 375°F oven or air fryer until hot and crispy, then toss them with the freshly warmed sauce just before serving.
The secret is two-fold: patting the wings completely dry with paper towels, and tossing them with baking powder before cooking. The baking powder helps draw out moisture and raises the skin’s pH, resulting in superior browning and crispiness.
It is highly recommended to use thawed chicken wings for this recipe. Frozen wings release a lot of water, which will prevent them from getting crispy. If you only have frozen wings, make sure they are fully thawed and patted very dry before seasoning.
While Frank’s RedHot provides a classic flavor profile, you can substitute it with another cayenne-based hot sauce like Crystal or Texas Pete. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious.
These wings have a medium heat level that is well-balanced by the sweetness of the honey. For a milder version, reduce the amount of hot sauce by a tablespoon or two. For a spicier wing, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
More Delicious Appetizers
If you loved these wings, you’re sure to enjoy some of our other crowd-pleasing recipes. Try these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites for another amazing chicken appetizer that is always a huge hit at parties!
We hope you love this recipe for Hot Honey Chicken Wings! It’s a true favorite for a reason. If you make it, please let us know what you think in the comments below. We’d also love for you to share your creations with us on Pinterest!
You won't believe how easy it is to make these incredibly crispy Hot Honey Chicken Wings at home!
Hot Honey Chicken Wings Recipe
FL Recipes
Hot Honey Chicken Wings (Crispy, Sweet & Spicy)
Achieve perfectly crispy, juicy, and flavor-packed Hot Honey Chicken Wings at home with this foolproof recipe. Learn how to make them in the oven or air fryer for the ultimate sweet and spicy appetizer.
3lbschicken wingssplit into drumettes and flats, patted completely dry
1tbspbaking powderaluminum-free recommended
1tspgarlic powder
1tsponion powder
1tspsmoked paprika
1tspkosher salt
1/2tspblack pepper
1/2cuphoney
1/3cupFrank's RedHot Original sauceor your favorite hot sauce
4tbspunsalted buttermelted
1tspapple cider vinegar
Equipment
1 Large Mixing Bowl
1 Baking Sheet with Wire Rack
1 Air Fryer Optional
1 Small Saucepan
Method
Pat the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, whisk together the baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Add the dry wings to the seasoning mixture and toss until every wing is thoroughly and evenly coated.
Oven Method: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange wings in a single layer on a wire rack set on a baking sheet. Bake for 35-45 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
Air Fryer Method: Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place wings in a single layer in the basket (work in batches if needed). Air fry for 18-22 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until crisp.
While the wings cook, combine honey, hot sauce, melted butter, and apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.
Once cooked, transfer the hot, crispy wings to a large bowl. Pour the warm sauce over the wings and toss gently to coat completely. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 410kcalProtein: 18gFat: 25g
Notes
For extra crispy wings, let the seasoned wings rest uncovered on a wire rack in the refrigerator for at least an hour before cooking. Adjust the amount of hot sauce to your preferred level of spiciness. Serve with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
