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best spicy chicken wings

best spicy chicken wings

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A family-favorite recipe for oven-baked spicy chicken wings that achieve a restaurant-quality crunch using a special baking powder technique. These wings are tossed in a savory and sweet buffalo-style glaze made with hot sauce, melted butter, and honey.

Ingredients

Scale

3 lbs Chicken Wings
1.5 tbsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Kosher Salt
1 tsp Garlic Powder
0.5 tsp Cayenne Pepper
4 tbsp Unsalted Butter
0.5 cup Hot Sauce
1 tbsp Honey

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and place a wire rack over a large rimmed baking sheet
  2. Use paper towels to pat the chicken wings very dry to ensure maximum crispiness
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the baking powder, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper
  4. Toss the wings in the spice mixture until they have an even coating
  5. Arrange the wings on the prepared wire rack in a single layer, ensuring there is space between each piece
  6. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, turning the wings halfway through the cooking time until golden brown and crispy
  7. While wings are baking, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat and whisk in the hot sauce and honey
  8. Transfer the finished wings to a clean bowl, pour the warm sauce over them, and toss vigorously to coat

Notes

Always use aluminum-free baking powder to avoid a metallic aftertaste.

Do not crowd the pan; air circulation is essential for the skin to crisp up rather than steam.

Let the wings rest for two minutes after baking before tossing them in the sauce to help the skin firm up.

For an air fryer version, cook at 400°F for about 20 minutes.

Swap cayenne pepper for smoked paprika if you prefer a smokier, less spicy flavor profile.