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:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) if baking.
- Pat the wings dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- In a large bowl, toss the wings with baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until evenly coated.
- 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.
- 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:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine hot sauce, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, butter, apple cider vinegar, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for another minute until the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Coating the Wings:
- Transfer the cooked wings to a large bowl.
- Pour the sauce over the wings and toss to coat evenly.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
- 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