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Nothing beats a batch of crispy, flavorful Honey BBQ Chicken Wings when you’re in the mood for something savory and sweet. These chicken wings are easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
In this recipe, I’ll be making the BBQ sauce from scratch. It’s homemade, and a perfect flavor balance of sweetness, all with a satisfying crunch. And the best part? No deep frying here—your air fryer does all the work, making this a mess-free, healthier option but it still tastes as good as deep-frying.
So, let’s get cooking!
What you’ll need
Prepare the Chicken:
- 10 chicken wings
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tsp chicken seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Flour, for coating
BBQ Honey Sauce:
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 ½ tbsp mustard
- Spices of your choice (paprika, ground turmeric, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp water
Garnish/Side:
- Chopped cilantro
- Ranch dressing, for dipping
How to make honey BBQ chicken wings
- Prep the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, clean the chicken wings in a mixture of baking powder and vinegar for about 10 minutes.
- Rinse the wings and pat dry with a paper towel.
- In a separate bowl, toss the wings with olive oil, chicken seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, salt, and white pepper until evenly coated.
- Let the wings marinate overnight (or at least for 1 hour).
- Coat and Rest:
- After marinating, coat the wings in flour, making sure each piece is evenly covered.
- Rest the wings for 15 minutes—this makes the wings crispier when you air-fry them.
- Air Fry the Wings:
- Preheat your air fryer to 450°F. Don’t skip this step!
- Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 450°F for 15 minutes, flipping the wings after 10 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Make the Honey BBQ Sauce:
- While the wings are cooking, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, mustard, spices, honey, and water in a small saucepan.
- Simmer the sauce on low heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens. The water will help thin the sauce enough to drizzle easily over the wings.
- Coat the Wings:
- Once the wings are done, toss them in the honey BBQ sauce, making sure each wing is well coated.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Garnish with chopped cilantro
- Serve with a side of ranch for dipping. Pair with your favorite sides, or just enjoy as-is!
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Here are the tips to get perfectly crispy chicken wings in the air fryer:
- Dry the Wings: After soaking the wings in baking powder and vinegar, make sure to pat them completely dry with paper towels. The moisture will prevent them from crisping up.
- Use Baking Powder: Tossing the wings in a little baking powder before cooking helps break down the proteins in the skin, leading to that crispy finish, try not to add too much or it might have a funky taste.
- Coat in Flour and Rest: After seasoning and coating the wings in flour, let them rest for 15 minutes. This helps the flour adhere to the wings better and crisps up nicely when air-frying.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheating is key! A hot air fryer helps to immediately crisp up the outside of the wings, so don’t skip this step.
- Cook in a Single Layer: Make sure the wings are spread out in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding will make soggy spots since the air can’t circulate properly.
- Cook at High Heat: Air fry the wings at 450°F. The high heat helps render the fat and crisp up the skin without drying out the meat.
- Let the Wings Rest After Cooking: If you want them crispy, you can let them sit in the air fryer for an extra 2-3 minutes after turning it off. This will allow the residual heat to remove any last bits of moisture.
- Avoid using parchment paper or foil and air-frying. The key to crispy wings in an air fryer is proper air circulation. Parchment paper or foil can block the airflow, making uneven cooking and less crispy wings.
These Honey BBQ Chicken Wings are perfect for when you’re craving something flavorful but don’t want to deal with deep frying. Using the air fryer means less oil and mess, but you still get that crispy, tender bite with every wing. Whether you’re making them for game day, a casual get-together, or just because you need some wings in your life, this recipe is a go-to, at least for me!
Don’t forget to let the wings rest after coating in flour—it’s a simple trick that’ll take your wings from good to so good. Enjoy!
Honey BBQ Chicken Wings
Nothing beats a batch of crispy, flavorful Honey BBQ Chicken Wings when you're in the mood for something savory and sweet. These chicken wings are easy to make and perfect for any occasion. In this recipe, I’ll be making the BBQ sauce from scratch. It’s homemade, and a perfect flavor balance of sweetness, all with a satisfying crunch. And the best part? No deep frying here—your air fryer does all the work, making this a mess-free, healthier option but it still tastes as good as deep-frying.
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
Prepare the Chicken:
- 10 chicken wings
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tsp chicken seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Flour for coating
BBQ Honey Sauce:
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 ½ tbsp mustard
- Spices of your choice paprika, ground turmeric, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp water
Garnish/Side:
- Chopped cilantro
- Ranch dressing for dipping
Instructions
Prep the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, clean the chicken wings in a mixture of baking powder and vinegar for about 10 minutes.
- Rinse the wings and pat dry with a paper towel.
- In a separate bowl, toss the wings with olive oil, chicken seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, salt, and white pepper until evenly coated.
- Let the wings marinate overnight (or at least for 1 hour).
Coat and Rest:
- After marinating, coat the wings in flour, making sure each piece is evenly covered.
- Rest the wings for 15 minutes—this makes the wings crispier when you air-fry them.
Air Fry the Wings:
- Preheat your air fryer to 450°F. Don’t skip this step!
- Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 450°F for 15 minutes, flipping the wings after 10 minutes to ensure even cooking.
Make the Honey BBQ Sauce:
- While the wings are cooking, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, mustard, spices, honey, and water in a small saucepan.
- Simmer the sauce on low heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens. The water will help thin the sauce enough to drizzle easily over the wings.
Coat the Wings:
- Once the wings are done, toss them in the honey BBQ sauce, making sure each wing is well coated.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Garnish with chopped cilantro
- Serve with a side of ranch for dipping. Pair with your favorite sides, or just enjoy as-is!
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