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The Best Sweet and Spicy Wings for Game Day


  • Total Time: 50-55 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 servings 1x

Description

These Sweet and Spicy Wings are the perfect game day snack, featuring a crispy texture and a bold balance of heat and sweetness. Whether baked, fried, or air-fried, these wings are easy to prepare and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs chicken wings, separated into drumettes and flats
  • 1 tbsp baking powder (for crispy baked wings)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot or Sriracha)
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (for thickening sauce)
  • Chopped green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

Preparing the Wings:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) if baking.
  2. Pat the wings dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  3. In a large bowl, toss the wings with baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until evenly coated.
  4. If baking: Arrange the wings on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
  5. If frying: Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 375°F (190°C). Fry wings in batches for 8-10 minutes until crispy and fully cooked. Drain on paper towels.

Making the Sauce:

  1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine hot sauce, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, butter, apple cider vinegar, and cayenne pepper (if using).
  2. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for another minute until the sauce thickens.
  4. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Coating the Wings:

  1. Transfer the cooked wings to a large bowl.
  2. Pour the sauce over the wings and toss to coat evenly.
  3. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
  4. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • Air-Fried Option: Cook wings in an air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, shaking halfway.
  • Extra Spicy: Add more cayenne pepper or a splash of ghost pepper sauce.
  • Mild Version: Reduce the hot sauce and increase the honey.
  • Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Reheating: Warm in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 10-15 minutes or in an air fryer for 5-7 minutes.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40-45 minutes (baking) or 10 minutes (frying)
  • Category: Appetizer, Game Day, Main Dish
  • Method: Baking, Frying, Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: sweet and spicy wings, crispy chicken wings, game day snacks, spicy honey wings, baked wings recipe