If you’re craving a finger-licking, crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfectly balanced with sweetness and a hint of spice, this Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe is a must-try. These wings deliver crispy, golden skin with a luscious honey garlic glaze that’s bursting with flavor. Whether you’re prepping for game day, a casual dinner, or a party appetizer, this recipe brings together simple, wholesome ingredients to create something truly irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple ingredients often make the best dishes, and this Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe is no exception. Each component plays a crucial role: from the seasoning that adds depth to the wings’ crisp texture, to the sauce that glazes everything with sweet and savory notes.
- 2 1/2 lb party chicken wing dings: The star of the show, cut and prepped for easy cooking and ultimate crispness.
- Salt and pepper: Classic seasonings to enhance the natural flavor of the chicken.
- 8 tsp jerk seasoning: Adds a smoky, spicy kick to the wings; feel free to adjust to taste.
- 2 tsp baking powder: A secret weapon for extra crispy skin by drawing out moisture without drying out the meat.
- Cooking spray: Helps prevent sticking and promotes even browning in the air fryer or oven.
- 2 tbsp salted butter: Creates a rich, velvety base for the honey garlic sauce.
- 5 garlic cloves, minced: Pungent and aromatic, garlic is the backbone of the sauce’s flavor.
- 1/4 cup honey: Brings sweetness and a lovely sticky glaze to the wings.
- 1 1/2 tsp tamari: This gluten-free soy sauce alternative adds umami depth and balances the sweetness.
- 1/4 tsp gluten free hot sauce: Just a touch to add mild heat and complexity.
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger (or fresh grated ginger): Adds subtle warmth and a hint of zing.
- 1/8 tsp smoked paprika: Provides a mild smoky aroma that complements the jerk seasoning.
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Season the Wings
Start by patting your chicken wings dry with a paper towel—this step is key for achieving that crispy texture later. Then, season them evenly with salt, pepper, jerk seasoning, and baking powder. Toss everything together to make sure every piece is coated beautifully, ensuring flavorful wings from inside out.
Step 2: Arrange for Even Cooking
Set your air fryer or oven to 400 degrees. If you’re using an air fryer, lightly spray your rack with cooking oil spray and arrange the wings so they have space to breathe—overcrowding will lead to uneven cooking. For oven baking, placing the wings on a wire rack over a parchment-lined pan allows heat to circulate and helps keep them crisp all around.
Step 3: Cook Until Crisp
Air fryers usually take about 15 to 17 minutes at 400 degrees, flipping the wings halfway through to promote even cooking. Ovens require a bit more patience—expect 27 to 35 minutes—with the same flip halfway mark. The wings should come out golden, crisp, and nearly cooked through by this stage.
Step 4: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
While your wings are cooking, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and allow it to gently cook until fragrant, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma. This quick step is where the magic begins to build!
Step 5: Add the Sweet and Savory Ingredients
To the garlic butter, stir in honey, tamari, hot sauce, ginger, and smoked paprika. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly. This glaze is what gives these wings their signature delicious coating.
Step 6: Coat the Wings and Finish Cooking
Once your wings are crisp and cooked, toss them in the honey garlic sauce, making sure every wing is well coated. For an extra sticky finish, you can brush them with the sauce and pop them back in the air fryer for another 8 minutes—this extra step caramelizes the glaze perfectly. Then, serve hot and watch them disappear!
How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe, sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley or green onions on top. The fresh herbs add a pop of color and a burst of fresh flavor that cuts through the sweetness. For an extra touch, you can even add sesame seeds for a subtle crunch.
Side Dishes
These wings pair wonderfully with cooling sides like crunchy celery sticks and creamy ranch or blue cheese dip. For a more substantial meal, serve alongside crispy fries, a refreshing coleslaw, or even a simple cucumber salad that keeps the flavors bright and balanced.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress your guests? Serve these wings on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of extra honey garlic sauce for dipping. You could also layer them over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice or even in lettuce wraps to add a fresh, crunchy contrast. Presentation really amps up the fun factor!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe, place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate. They’ll stay delicious for up to 3 days without losing too much crispiness. A quick re-crisp in the oven helps bring them back to life.
Freezing
If you want to save leftovers for longer, freezing is a great option. Place cooked wings in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. Frozen wings keep well for up to 3 months.
Reheating
For best results, reheat wings in the oven or air fryer to restore that crispy skin. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the texture intact, as it tends to make the skin soggy. A quick 5 to 7 minutes at 375 degrees does the trick beautifully.
FAQs
Can I bake these wings instead of air frying?
Absolutely! Baking your wings on a wire rack at 400 degrees for about 27 to 35 minutes will yield crispy, flavorful results. Just remember to flip halfway through for even cooking.
What if I don’t have tamari? Can I use soy sauce?
You can substitute tamari with regular soy sauce, but be mindful of the saltiness as soy sauce can be saltier. Also, tamari is gluten-free, so if you’re avoiding gluten, it’s best to stick with tamari or another gluten-free alternative.
Is the baking powder safe to use? Will it affect the taste?
Yes, baking powder is safe and actually helps make the wing skin super crispy by drawing out moisture. Use the amount specified to avoid any off flavors—when used correctly, it won’t affect the taste but enhances texture wonderfully.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
You can prepare the honey garlic sauce ahead and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before tossing with your wings for a perfect glaze without losing flavor or texture.
How spicy is this Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe?
This recipe has a mild heat level thanks to the jerk seasoning and just a touch of hot sauce. You can adjust the heat by adding more or less hot sauce or jerk seasoning according to your preference.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a dish that’s bursting with flavor, crispy to perfection, and loved by all ages, this Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe is your new go-to. It’s straightforward enough for any home cook but delivers that restaurant-quality wow factor. Give it a try—you might just find yourself making it over and over again!
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Description
This Honey Garlic Chicken Wings recipe delivers crispy, flavorful wings coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory honey garlic sauce. Perfect for parties or game day, these wings are seasoned with jerk spices and a touch of heat, then air-fried or baked to golden perfection before being tossed in a luscious homemade sauce.
Ingredients
Chicken Wings
- 2 1/2 lb party chicken wing dings (disjointed with tips removed)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 tsp jerk seasoning (adjust up to 9 tsp to taste)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- Cooking spray
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 2 tbsp salted butter
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 1/2 tsp tamari
- 1/4 tsp gluten free hot sauce
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger (or fresh grated ginger)
- 1/8 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Prepare the Wings: In a large bowl, pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel. Season them evenly with salt and pepper, then sprinkle the jerk seasoning and baking powder over the wings. Toss everything together until the wings are well coated.
- Preheat and Arrange Wings: Preheat your air fryer or oven to 400°F. If using an air fryer, lightly spray the cooking rack with cooking oil spray and arrange the wings in a single layer without overcrowding to ensure even cooking. For oven baking, place the wings on a wire rack set over a parchment paper-lined baking pan to elevate them for crispiness.
- Cook the Wings: Air fry the wings for 15-17 minutes, turning halfway through to brown evenly. If baking, cook the wings for approximately 27-35 minutes until they are cooked through and crispy.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: While the wings cook, melt the butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in honey, tamari, gluten free hot sauce, ground ginger, and smoked paprika. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Toss Wings in Sauce: Once wings are fully cooked and crispy, either toss them directly in the honey garlic sauce to coat evenly or brush the sauce onto the wings. Then return the sauced wings to the air fryer for an additional 8 minutes to set the glaze and intensify flavors.
- Serve: Remove the wings from the air fryer and serve immediately while hot and sticky with the delicious honey garlic coating.
Notes
- Using baking powder helps achieve extra crispy skin when cooking wings.
- Adjust the jerk seasoning and hot sauce quantities to tune the spice level to your liking.
- If air frying, avoid overcrowding wings so they cook evenly and crisp up properly.
- This recipe works well baked in the oven if you do not have an air fryer.
- For extra zing, you can add fresh grated ginger instead of ground ginger.
