Baked Chicken Wings – When it comes to satisfying snacks for a game-day party, casual family dinner, or just a tasty snack, these baked chicken wings are a healthier and incredibly flavorful alternative.
Why Baked Chicken Wings?
Baking chicken wings in the oven gives you the crispy texture everyone loves without the mess and calories of deep-frying. By using a few clever techniques, you can achieve perfectly crispy skin while keeping the meat juicy and tender. Plus, baked wings are easier to cook in large batches, so you can feed a crowd with minimal effort.
The Perfect Baked Chicken Wings Recipe
Let’s start with the essentials. This is a go-to recipe for classic baked chicken wings that are seasoned to perfection, crispy on the outside, and juicy on the inside.
Tips and Tricks for Extra Crispy Wings
- Use Baking Powder: Make sure to use baking powder, not baking soda. Baking powder helps the skin get crispy without affecting the taste, while baking soda could give an unpleasant, bitter flavor.
- Dry the Wings Thoroughly: Moisture is the enemy of crispy wings! Patting the wings completely dry before adding the seasoning will make a noticeable difference.
- Space Out the Wings: Avoid overcrowding the baking rack. Wings need space for air to circulate and cook evenly. Crowded wings may steam rather than crisp up.
- Flip Halfway: Turning the wings halfway through cooking ensures even crispiness on both sides.
- Broil for Extra Crispiness: If you want even more crunch, broil the wings for 2-3 minutes at the end. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
Flavor Variations
Classic baked wings are versatile, and with a few tweaks, you can customize them to suit any flavor profile. Here are some delicious variations to try:
Buffalo Wings
Toss baked wings in a mixture of melted butter and hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot) right before serving. Serve with blue cheese dressing for the ultimate Buffalo experience!
Honey Garlic Wings
Mix honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and a pinch of chili flakes. Coat the baked wings in this sweet and savory sauce.
Lemon Pepper Wings
Toss wings in lemon juice and sprinkle with lemon pepper seasoning for a tangy twist. Perfect for citrus lovers!
BBQ Wings
Coat the baked wings in your favorite BBQ sauce and broil for a few minutes to caramelize the sauce. This adds a smoky sweetness that’s hard to resist.
Asian-Inspired Wings
Toss wings in a blend of soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and a dash of Sriracha. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped scallions for an authentic touch.
How to Serve Baked Chicken Wings
When serving wings, presentation and sides make a difference! Here are some ideas to elevate your wing experience:
- Dipping Sauces: Ranch, blue cheese, honey mustard, and spicy mayo are all popular choices. Place in small bowls for easy dipping.
- Veggie Sticks: Classic celery and carrot sticks pair perfectly with wings, balancing out the savory richness.
- Garnishes: Chopped parsley or green onions add a pop of color and freshness.
- Sides: Serve wings with coleslaw, potato wedges, or a simple green salad to make it a complete meal.
How to Store and Reheat Baked Chicken Wings
If you have leftover wings (lucky you!), here’s how to store and reheat them:
Storing
- In the Refrigerator: Store wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- In the Freezer: Place wings in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, and they’ll keep for up to 3 months.
Reheating
- In the Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), place the wings on a baking sheet, and bake for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
- In the Air Fryer: Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes to regain some crispiness.
Avoid microwaving wings as they can become rubbery and lose their crunch.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use frozen wings for this recipe?
Yes, but thaw them completely and pat them dry before seasoning to ensure they crisp up properly.
Why is my chicken not crispy?
Moisture is the main culprit. Make sure to dry the wings thoroughly and don’t skip the baking powder. Also, check that your oven is preheated to the right temperature.
Do I have to use a wire rack?
Using a wire rack is recommended for even cooking and crispiness. However, if you don’t have one, place the wings directly on a foil-lined baking sheet and flip them halfway through.
Can I make these wings gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just use a gluten-free baking powder, and ensure that any sauces you add are gluten-free as well.
How do I prevent sticking?
Use a non-stick rack, or lightly coat your rack with cooking spray or olive oil. This helps keep the wings from sticking as they bake.
Baked Chicken Wings
Baked Chicken Wings - When it comes to satisfying snacks for a game-day party, casual family dinner, or just a tasty snack, these baked chicken wings are a healthier and incredibly flavorful alternative.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds chicken wings (halved at joints, wingtips discarded)
- 2 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
Buffalo Sauce:
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup Frank's Wings Hot Sauce
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- Place your oven rack in the upper-middle position and preheat to 425°F.
- Line a baking sheet with foil and add a wire rack on top (a cooling rack works well!). Lightly spray the rack with non-stick spray.
- Pat the wings dry with paper towels—this step is crucial for that ultra-crispy skin!
- In a small bowl, mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and baking powder. Sprinkle this over the wings, tossing them in a large bowl to coat evenly.
- Lay the wings skin-side up in a single layer on the rack. Bake them, turning every 20 minutes for even crispiness. They’ll be beautifully browned and crispy after about an hour, depending on size.
Buffalo Sauce
- In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together the brown sugar, hot sauce, and water until the sugar dissolves. Let it cool to room temperature before tossing with the wings, or make it ahead and refrigerate!
- Let the wings rest for 5 minutes after baking, then toss in the sauce and dig in!
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 919Total Fat 59gSaturated Fat 21gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 33gCholesterol 194mgSodium 1578mgCarbohydrates 58gFiber 1gSugar 34gProtein 40g
All Chicken Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
Baked chicken wings are an easy, crowd-pleasing dish that can be tailored to any flavor preference. With these tips and techniques, you’re all set to create the crispiest, most delicious wings that your family and friends will love.
Still Hungry! Try these other chicken recipes: