Baked Chicken Wings

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Baked chicken wings are incredibly simple to make and don’t require deep frying, but they still turn out perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. You can customize the flavors by using different seasonings and sauces, and they’re much less messy to prepare than frying. Plus, they’re much healthier while still delivering that crave-worthy crunch!

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Wings:

• 2 lbs chicken wings (drummettes and flats)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)

For the Optional Glaze (Buffalo, BBQ, or Honey Garlic):

• 1/4 cup hot sauce (for buffalo wings)
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce (for BBQ wings)
• 1/4 cup honey (for honey garlic)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (for honey garlic)
• 1 tablespoon butter (melted, for all sauces)

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. For extra crispiness, you can place a cooling rack on top of the baking sheet to allow air circulation around the wings while they cook.

2. Prepare the Wings:

• Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. This is a crucial step to ensure that they become crispy in the oven.
• Place the wings in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Toss them to coat evenly.
• Add the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using). Toss again until the wings are evenly seasoned.

3. Arrange the Wings:

• Arrange the seasoned wings in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet (or cooling rack if using). Make sure there is some space between each wing to ensure they cook evenly and get crispy.

4. Bake the Wings:

• Bake the wings for 40-45 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. They should be golden brown and crispy on the outside when they’re done. If you want extra crispy wings, you can broil them for the last 2-3 minutes of baking—just keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.

5. Prepare the Glaze (Optional):

• While the wings are baking, you can prepare your glaze if desired. In a small saucepan, combine the sauce ingredients for your chosen glaze (Buffalo, BBQ, or Honey Garlic) and heat over medium heat until warm and well combined.
• If you’re making Buffalo wings, combine the hot sauce and melted butter. For BBQ wings, use BBQ sauce and melted butter. For honey garlic wings, mix honey, soy sauce, and melted butter.

6. Toss the Wings in the Glaze (Optional):

• Once the wings are baked and crispy, remove them from the oven and drizzle your desired glaze over them. Toss the wings in the sauce to coat evenly.
• Alternatively, serve the glaze on the side for dipping.

7. Serve:

• Serve your baked chicken wings with your favorite dipping sauces such as ranch, blue cheese, or extra hot sauce.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 4 servings (for 2 lbs of wings).
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 40-45 minutes
Total time: 50-55 minutes

Variations

• Spicy Garlic Wings: Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the olive oil mixture for an extra burst of flavor and heat.
• Lemon Pepper Wings: Use lemon zest and freshly ground black pepper as the main seasoning, then add a little lemon juice after baking for a fresh citrusy kick.
• Teriyaki Wings: Toss the wings in a homemade or store-bought teriyaki sauce after baking for a sweet and savory Asian-inspired flavor.
• Crispy Korean Wings: Coat the wings in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a little sugar before baking, then drizzle with gochujang (Korean chili paste) for a spicy-sweet finish.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating: To reheat, bake the wings at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes to crisp them up again. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but they won’t be as crispy.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken wings?

Yes, you can use frozen wings. Just make sure to thaw them before seasoning and baking. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

How can I make the wings extra crispy?

Pat the wings dry before seasoning, and make sure they’re spaced out evenly on the baking sheet. Using a cooling rack allows air to circulate around the wings, making them crispier. You can also broil them at the end to get an extra crispy texture.

Can I make these wings ahead of time?

You can prep the wings and season them ahead of time, then store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Alternatively, you can bake them ahead of time, let them cool, and reheat them in the oven to crisp them back up.

What dipping sauces pair well with baked wings?

Classic dips like ranch, blue cheese, or sour cream work well with chicken wings. You can also serve them with extra hot sauce, honey mustard, or garlic aioli.

Can I bake the wings at a lower temperature?

Baking at a lower temperature will work, but it may take longer to achieve crispy wings. Try 375°F (190°C) for 50-55 minutes if you want a slightly slower bake.

Conclusion

These Baked Chicken Wings are crispy, flavorful, and way easier to make than you might think. With simple ingredients and just a few steps, you can enjoy a delicious batch of wings right at home without the mess of deep frying. Customize them with your favorite sauces and enjoy them for any occasion!

Baked Chicken Wings

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Baked Chicken Wings are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with flavor—all without the mess of deep frying. Seasoned and baked to perfection, these wings are a healthier option and perfect for parties, game days, or easy dinners.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
• Total Time: 50-55 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken wings (drummettes and flats)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• Optional Glaze:
• 1/4 cup hot sauce (Buffalo option)
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce (BBQ option)
• 1/4 cup honey + 2 tbsp soy sauce (Honey Garlic option)
• 1 tbsp butter (melted, for all glaze options)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil. For crispier wings, place a wire rack over the baking sheet.
2. Pat wings dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss wings with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using).
3. Arrange wings in a single layer on the baking sheet (or rack), leaving space between each.
4. Bake for 40–45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. Optional: broil for 2–3 minutes at the end for extra crispiness.
5. While wings bake, prepare glaze (if using): heat chosen sauce ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat until warm and combined.
6. Remove wings from oven and toss in glaze, or serve sauce on the side for dipping.
7. Serve hot with dipping sauces like ranch, blue cheese, or extra hot sauce.

Notes

• For crispier wings, use a wire rack and space wings evenly on the baking sheet.
• Pat wings dry thoroughly before seasoning.
• Broil at the end for a crispier finish—watch closely to avoid burning.
• Wings can be prepped ahead and stored in the fridge before baking.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 1g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 110mg