Honey-Glazed Chicken Wings

These honey-glazed chicken wings are a true delight!

With the perfect balance of sweet and savory, these wings are coated in a luscious honey-soy glaze. It caramelizes beautifully in the oven, making them irresistible.

I love how they’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. 

Whether you’re hosting a gathering or just treating yourself, these wings will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Why You’ll Love These Honey Glazed Chicken Wings

Taste Sensation: They offer a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. There’s also a hint of heat from the cayenne pepper.

Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for parties, game nights, or family gatherings, these sticky, finger-licking wings will be a hit with guests of all ages.

Easy Prep: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this recipe is easy for cooks of all skill levels.

Versatile: These wings can be served as an appetizer, main course, or even as part of a buffet spread.

Ingredients

• Chicken Wings: The star of the show! They’re juicy, meaty, and ready to be glazed.

• Salt and Black Pepper: The dynamic duo brings out the natural flavor of the wings.

• Honey: The sweet nectar caramelizes into a sticky, irresistible glaze.

• Soy Sauce: It adds a savory depth and umami punch to balance the honey’s sweetness.

• Vegetable Oil: It helps the glaze adhere to the wings and keeps them moist during baking.

• Ketchup: The secret ingredient adds a tangy kick and beautiful color to the glaze.

• Garlic: It infuses the glaze with its pungent, aromatic essence that complements the honey and soy.

• Cayenne Pepper: It brings a subtle heat that keeps you coming back for more.

How to Make Honey Glazed Chicken Wings

Follow these easy steps to make these tempting wings.

1. Prep the baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Spray the rack with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Season the wings. Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. Season them with salt and pepper. Place the wings in a single layer on the prepared wire rack.

3. Make the glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, vegetable oil, ketchup, garlic, and cayenne pepper until well combined.

4. Bake. Brush the wings with about 1/3 of the honey glaze. Bake for 25 minutes.

5. Re-glaze the wings. Remove the wings from the oven and brush them with another 1/3 of the glaze. Flip them over and brush the other side with the remaining glaze.

6. Final bake. Return the wings to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until they’re cooked through and the glaze is sticky and caramelized.

7. Cool and serve. Let them cool for 5 minutes before serving. The glaze will thicken more as it cools. Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Honey Glazed Chicken Wings

Here are some of my best tips and tricks for amazing wings.

• Get ‘em good and dry. Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels before seasoning to ensure the skin crisps up nicely in the oven.

• Be generous! Generously season the wings with salt and pepper before cooking to enhance their flavor. You can also add other spices like garlic powder or cayenne for extra kick.

• Vary up the glaze. Experiment with adding different spices or sauces to the honey glaze, such as sriracha, ginger, or lime juice, to customize the flavor profile.

• Get ahead of the game. Prepare the honey glaze in advance to allow the flavors to meld. Store it in the fridge for a few days until ready to use.

• Get dipping. Serve the honey-glazed wings with ranch dressing, blue cheese dip, or a spicy mayo dip for extra flavor.
  
• Add fun garnishes. For a pop of texture and color, add sesame seeds and green onions to the wings.

• Take a shortcut. To make the wings in an air fryer, cook them at 380°F for 20-25 minutes. Flip and glaze halfway through until they’re crispy and cooked through.

How to Store

If you have leftover wings, keep them fresh with these tips.

To Store: Place the cooled wings in an air-tight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 3-4 days.

To Freeze: Arrange the cooled wings on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

To Reheat: Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the wings for 10-15 minutes, or air fry at 375°F for 5-7 minutes until crispy. You can also microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds to avoid overcooking.