Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

Crispy, oven-baked (or air-fried) chicken wings tossed in a glossy honey-garlic sauce for a sweet and savory flavor explosion that’s perfect for snacking or entertaining.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Irresistibly sticky: A sweet and garlicky glaze that clings beautifully to every wing.

• Crispy without deep-frying: Achieve delicious texture in the oven or air fryer—no excessive oil needed.

• Crowd-pleaser for any occasion: Great for game day, gatherings, or casual weeknight dinners.

ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 2 lbs chicken wings, split into flats and drumettes

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for baking/air frying)

• ¼ cup honey

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar

• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• Sesame seeds and chopped scallions (for garnish)

directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 °F (200 °C) or prepare an air fryer at 380 °F.

2. Pat wings dry and season with salt and pepper.

3. Toss wings with oil and arrange skin-side up on a baking sheet lined with foil and a wire rack (or single layer in air fryer).

4. Bake for 35–40 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp (or air-fry for 20–25 minutes).

5. While wings cook, whisk honey, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan.

6. Simmer gently over medium heat until slightly thickened, 2–3 minutes.

7. Remove wings from oven/air fryer and immediately toss in the warm sauce until evenly coated.

8. Return to rack and bake/broil 2–3 minutes to caramelize the glaze—watch carefully to prevent burning.

9. Garnish with sesame seeds and scallions. Serve hot.

Servings and timing

• Servings: 4–6 (about 8–10 wings per person)

• Prep time: 10 minutes

• Cook time: 35–40 minutes (oven) or 20–25 minutes (air fryer)

• Total time: approx. 45–50 minutes

Variations

• Spicy honey: Add an extra ½ tsp of red pepper flakes or drizzle with sriracha.

• Citrus zing: Stir in a teaspoon of grated orange zest or a squeeze of lime juice into the sauce.

• Garlic overload: Add extra minced garlic or a dash of garlic powder for bold garlic flavor.

• Keto-friendly: Swap honey for a sugar-free syrup like monk fruit or allulose.

• Grill version: Prepare wings on the grill, then toss in sauce and briefly broil for charred finish.

storage/reheating

• Storage: Refrigerate cooled wings in airtight containers for up to 3 days.

• Reheating:

  • Oven: Warm at 375 °F for 8–10 minutes to re-crisp.

  • Air fryer: Reheat at 350 °F for 4–6 minutes for best texture.

  • Microwave: Heat covered for 1–2 minutes, though crispiness may soften.

FAQs

1. Can I prep wings ahead?

Yes—season and sauce wings, then refrigerate in airtight container for up to 24 hours; bake from cold and adjust cooking time slightly.

2. How do I get the skin extra crispy?

Pat wings fully dry and bake on a rack; using baking powder in seasoning also helps.

3. Can I use bone-in chicken thighs?

Yes—adjust cooking time to about 45–50 minutes to ensure doneness.

4. What honey works best?

Pure honey (clover, wildflower) works great. For deeper flavor, use dark variety like buckwheat.

5. Is soy sauce necessary?

It adds umami and salt. Substitute with tamari or coconut aminos for gluten-free version.

6. Can I reduce carbs?

Use sugar-free syrup instead of honey and low-carb sweetener.

7. Can I make these in the air fryer?

Absolutely—air fry at 380 °F for 20–25 minutes, shaking halfway.

8. How sticky will they be?

They’re glossy but not overly wet—just enough glaze to coat and caramelize.

9. Can I double the recipe?

Yes—use larger baking surface or cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.

10. What garnish works best?

Sesame seeds and scallions add texture and fresh flavor—cilantro also works well.

Conclusion

Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Wings offer the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and garlicky goodness with a satisfyingly crisp finish. Whether baked or air-fried, they’re easy to whip up and guaranteed to delight at any meal or gathering.

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