Hot Honey Chicken Wings Recipe

Sizzling Hot Honey Chicken Wings Recipe for Game Day Bliss

Blazing wings take center stage with this hot honey chicken wings recipe that promises to electrify your taste buds.

Sticky, sweet, and wildly spicy, these wings deliver a flavor explosion that’ll make your dinner guests swoon.

The perfect balance of heat and sweetness creates an irresistible coating that clings to every crispy inch.

Tender chicken emerges from the oven with a glorious golden-brown exterior that crackles with each bite.

Bold spices mingle with rich honey, creating a glaze that transforms ordinary wings into a culinary masterpiece.

Summer barbecues or game night will never be the same once you master these wings.

Prepare to become the ultimate wing champion among your friends.

Hot Honey Chicken Wings Sweet Heat

  • Boost Kitchen Confidence: Perfect for home cooks wanting to impress with restaurant-quality wings that require minimal culinary skills and basic kitchen tools.
  • Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Incredibly fast preparation and cooking process makes these wings ideal for spontaneous gatherings, game nights, or unexpected guests.
  • Flavor Explosion: Combines sweet, spicy, and savory elements that appeal to multiple taste preferences, ensuring everyone at the table will enjoy these delicious wings.
  • Versatile Cooking Method: Air fryer technique delivers crispy exterior without excessive oil, providing a healthier alternative to traditional deep-frying while maintaining incredible texture.

Hot Honey Chicken Wings Ingredient List

Main Ingredients:
  • Chicken Wings: Fresh, meaty wings that provide the perfect base for this delicious hot honey recipe.
  • Hot Sauce: Adds a spicy kick and vibrant flavor to the wing coating.
  • Honey: Brings a sweet and sticky element that balances the heat of the sauce.
Seasoning Group:
  • Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder: Classic seasonings that enhance the natural flavor of the chicken wings.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • Butter: Creates a rich and smooth base for the hot honey sauce, adding depth and richness.

Easy Steps for Hot Honey Chicken Wings

Step 1: Prepare Wing Pieces

If whole wings are purchased, separate them into drumsticks and wingettes using kitchen shears or a sharp knife.

Use paper towels to thoroughly pat each wing piece until completely dry, which helps achieve crispy skin during cooking.

Step 2: Create Seasoning Blend

Combine the following dry seasonings in a large mixing bowl:
  • Kosher salt
  • Black pepper
  • Garlic powder
  • Paprika
  • Onion powder

Toss wing pieces thoroughly in the seasoning mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.

Step 3: Air Fry Wings

Arrange seasoned wings in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, making certain they are not touching each other.

Cook at 400°F for approximately 20 minutes, carefully turning wings halfway through cooking time to ensure even browning and crispy texture.

Step 4: Craft Spicy Honey Glaze

In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter until completely liquid.

Slowly incorporate hot sauce and pure honey, stirring continuously.

Allow mixture to simmer gently for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.

Step 5: Coat Wings with Glaze

Transfer freshly cooked wings directly from air fryer into the prepared honey sauce.

Gently toss wings until each piece is completely and generously covered with the spicy sweet glaze.

Tips for Crispy Hot Honey Wings

  • Use paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring crispy skin and better seasoning adhesion.
  • Spread dry spices uniformly to guarantee consistent flavor in every bite.
  • Leave space between wings for proper air circulation, achieving maximum crispiness.
  • Use meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
  • Modify hot sauce quantity to personalize spice level, making wings milder or more intense based on preference.

Hot Honey Chicken Wing Variations

  • Gluten-Free Wing Feast: Replace regular flour-based seasonings with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or cornstarch for coating, perfect for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Spicy Caribbean Style: Swap hot sauce with scotch bonnet pepper sauce and add fresh thyme and allspice to create a vibrant Caribbean-inspired wing experience.
  • Low-Carb Keto Wings: Use sugar-free honey substitute or monk fruit sweetener, replace traditional hot sauce with sugar-free hot sauce to maintain keto-friendly macros.
  • Vegetarian Cauliflower Version: Substitute chicken wings with cauliflower florets, keeping the same hot honey sauce and air frying technique for a plant-based alternative.

Serving Hot Honey Chicken Wings Party-Style

  • Flavor Fusion Platter: Serve wings alongside blue cheese or ranch dressing for a cool, creamy contrast to the spicy-sweet glaze.
  • Crispy Sidekick Selection: Pair with crunchy coleslaw, crisp cucumber salad, or corn on the cob to balance the wing's rich, sticky texture.
  • Party Presentation Style: Arrange wings on a large wooden board with small dipping bowls, garnish with fresh chopped parsley or green onions for a restaurant-quality look that impresses guests.
  • Game Day Gathering Tip: Prepare wings just before serving to maintain maximum crispiness and keep them warm in a low-temperature oven if needed.

Hot Honey Chicken Wings Storage Solutions

  • – Refrigerate Leftover wings stay fresh in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Seal them tightly to maintain crispiness and prevent moisture buildup.
  • – Freeze Store wings in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-lock bags for up to 3 months. Wrap individually to prevent freezer burn and preserve flavor.
  • – Reheat Warm refrigerated wings in air fryer at 375F for 4-5 minutes to restore crispy texture. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy skin and maintain original crunchiness.
  • – Sauce Separation Keep remaining hot honey sauce in sealed glass jar in refrigerator for up to 1 week. Stir before reusing to blend ingredients evenly.

FAQs

  • Can I use a different cooking method instead of air frying?

Yes, you can bake the wings in a preheated oven at 425F for 35-40 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking.

  • What type of hot sauce works best for this recipe?

Sriracha or Frank’s RedHot are excellent choices that provide great flavor and heat for the hot honey sauce.

  • How can I make the wings extra crispy?

Ensure wings are completely dry before seasoning, and avoid overcrowding the air fryer or baking sheet to allow proper air circulation.

  • Is this recipe spicy?

The heat level can be adjusted by using less hot sauce or choosing a milder variety, making it customizable for different spice preferences.

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Hot Honey Chicken Wings Recipe

Hot Honey Chicken Wings Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Spicy Hot Honey Chicken Wings elevate game day snacking with bold Korean-inspired flavors. Crispy wings glazed in sweet-heat honey offer a perfect balance of comfort and excitement you won’t be able to resist.


Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Ingredients:

  • 1.5 pounds (680 grams) chicken wings

Dry Seasoning Blend:

  • 1/2 tablespoon aluminum-free baking powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon potato starch (or cornstarch)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Sauce Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons hot sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt (if needed)

Instructions

  1. Carefully separate chicken wings into drumettes and wingettes, ensuring even sizes for consistent cooking. Use paper towels to thoroughly eliminate excess moisture, promoting crispy skin.
  2. Create a robust seasoning blend, thoroughly massaging the mixture into every crevice of the wings to guarantee maximum flavor penetration.
  3. Arrange wings in a single layer within the air fryer basket, maintaining adequate spacing to allow hot air circulation. Roast at 400°F for approximately 20 minutes, rotating midway to ensure uniform browning and crispiness.
  4. Construct the signature glaze by gently melting butter in a skillet over moderate heat. Incorporate hot sauce and honey, allowing the mixture to gently simmer and reduce for 2 minutes until achieving a glossy, slightly thickened consistency.
  5. Transfer freshly cooked wings directly into the prepared sauce, vigorously tossing to ensure each piece is generously and evenly coated with the sweet and spicy glaze.

Notes

  • Ensure wings are patted completely dry to achieve crispy, golden exterior when air frying.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
  • Customize heat level by adjusting hot sauce quantity or selecting milder/spicier varieties.
  • For gluten-free option, verify hot sauce ingredients and use alternative seasonings without gluten-containing components.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks, Appetizer
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 360
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Lena Martinez

Lena Martinez

Contributing Writer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southwestern and Latin American cuisines, Vegetarian and plant-based recipe development, Culinary education and community outreach ​

Education

Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Emphasized Southwestern cuisine and sustainable cooking practices


Lena grew up surrounded by the colors, spices, and traditions of the Southwest – flavors that sparked her love for bold, honest cooking. After earning her Culinary Arts certificate at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to teach home cooks how to create flavorful, plant-powered meals without the fuss.
Her recipes are packed with vibrant ingredients, simple steps, and the kind of heart that turns a regular meal into something you’ll want to share. Outside the kitchen, Lena spends her time wandering farmers’ markets, trading family recipes, and helping young chefs find their voice through food.

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