Description
Crispy baked chicken wings tossed in a sticky, sweet, and savory honey garlic sauce. This budget-friendly recipe uses simple pantry staples and is perfect for feeding a crowd at tailgates or busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 pounds chicken wings (frozen or fresh, thawed)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2–3 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top if available.
- Pat chicken wings completely dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss wings with salt, pepper, and cornstarch until evenly coated with a light dusting.
- Arrange wings in a single layer on the baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Flip wings over and bake for another 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crispy. For extra crispiness, broil for the last 2 minutes, watching closely.
- While wings bake, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add honey, soy sauce, and vinegar to the skillet. Whisk to combine and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Remove sauce from heat and stir in red pepper flakes if using.
- Transfer hot, crispy wings to a large bowl. Pour the warm sauce over the wings and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Serve immediately, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
Pat wings dry thoroughly to ensure crispiness. Do not crowd the pan during baking. Toss wings in sauce while both are warm to prevent sogginess. For air fryer method, cook at 380°F for 20-25 minutes, shaking basket halfway. Reheat leftovers in oven or air fryer, not microwave.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 6 wing
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 16
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Protein: 22
Keywords: chicken wings, honey garlic wings, tailgate food, budget recipes, easy appetizer, crispy wings, game day snacks, crowd pleaser