Description
This crispy baked chicken wings recipe combines perfectly seasoned wings with a homemade hot sauce and butter coating for a deliciously spicy and savory appetizer or main course. The wings are baked to golden perfection for a healthier alternative to fried wings, with a crispy skin and tender inside, ideal for game day or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Wings
- 2 pounds chicken wings, split at joints and tips removed
- 1 tablespoon baking powder (aluminum-free)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Sauce
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/3 cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Wings: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels to ensure maximum crispiness during baking.
- Season Wings: In a large bowl, toss the dried wings with baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper if using. Make sure each wing is evenly coated for consistent flavor and texture.
- Arrange Wings for Baking: Place a wire rack on top of a baking sheet and arrange the wings in a single layer, skin side up. This setup promotes even heat circulation and crispiness.
- Bake Wings: Bake the wings in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time so both sides become golden brown and crispy.
- Prepare Sauce: While the wings bake, mix the melted butter and hot sauce in a bowl to create a spicy and tangy coating.
- Toss Wings in Sauce: Once baked, immediately toss the hot wings in the prepared sauce until fully coated, ensuring every bite is flavorful.
- Serve: Serve the wings piping hot with optional ranch or blue cheese dressing and celery sticks for a classic pairing.
Notes
- You can air fry the wings at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes if you prefer a faster cooking method.
- Adjust the spiciness by increasing or decreasing the cayenne pepper or hot sauce amount as desired.
- For different flavor variations, toss wings in BBQ, honey garlic, or teriyaki sauces instead of hot sauce.
