Fiery Sweet Hot Honey Chicken Wings Recipe for Air Fryer Magic

Wings have a special place in my hot honey culinary adventure, promising bold flavors that dance between sweet and spicy.

Zesty marinades create magic in kitchens everywhere.

Crispy exterior meets tender meat in this crowd-pleasing dish.

Chefs and home cooks alike appreciate simple techniques that deliver maximum satisfaction.

Air fryer enthusiasts will especially love this straightforward approach to creating delectable wings.

Spice levels can be adjusted to match personal preferences, making these wings a versatile dinner option.

What Makes These Hot Honey Wings Shine

• Customize Your Cooking Adventure: Explore three different cooking methods for these delicious hot honey chicken wings, giving you flexibility based on your kitchen tools and preferences.
• Tackle Any Kitchen Challenge: Beginner or pro, this recipe adapts to your skill level with straightforward instructions that guarantee crispy, flavorful wings every single time.
• Speed Meets Satisfaction: Quick preparation and minimal ingredients mean you can transform ordinary chicken wings into a mouthwatering meal in under an hour, perfect for sudden cravings or last-minute gatherings.
• Crowd-Pleasing Party Starter: These wings pack a punch of sweet and spicy flavors that will wow friends during game nights, potlucks, or casual weekend hangouts, making you the ultimate host.

What You’ll Need for Hot Honey Wings

• Chicken Wings: Meaty and flavorful protein that forms the base of this delicious dish.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance the natural flavor of the chicken.
• Garlic Powder, Paprika: Aromatic spices that add depth and warmth to the wing seasoning.

• Butter: Provides richness and helps create a smooth, luxurious sauce.
• Franks Red Hot Sauce: Brings classic hot sauce flavor and spicy kick to the wings.
• Hot Honey: Adds a sweet and spicy element that balances the heat of the sauce.

• Olive Oil: Helps seasonings stick to the wings and promotes crispy exterior.
• Cooking Spray: Prevents wings from sticking in air fryer or on grill.

Cooking Hot Honey Chicken Wings Like a Pro

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Wings

Pat the chicken wings completely dry using paper towels. This helps achieve super crispy skin when cooking.

Select a large mixing bowl for seasoning the wings.

Step 2: Season Chicken Wings

• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder

Massage the seasonings thoroughly into the wings, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.

Step 3: Cook Wings in Oven

Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

Arrange wings in a single layer without overcrowding. Bake for 45 minutes, then flip wings and broil for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

Step 4: Create Spicy Honey Sauce

• Frank's Red Hot Sauce
• Hot honey
• Optional red pepper flakes

Simmer sauce for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until ingredients blend smoothly.

Step 5: Coat Wings with Sauce

Remove wings from oven. Drain excess fat.

Transfer wings to a large mixing bowl. Pour hot sauce over wings, tossing gently to ensure complete coverage.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Transfer sauced wings to a serving platter. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley or green onions for added color and flavor.

Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Alternative Cooking Methods:

Air Fryer: Cook at 375F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Grill: Cook at medium-high heat for 15-20 minutes, turning frequently until internal temperature reaches 165F.

Tips for Better Hot Honey Chicken Wings

• Pat chicken wings completely dry before cooking to ensure maximum crunchiness and golden-brown exterior.
• Adjust hot honey and hot sauce ratio to personalize spice level, creating a perfect sweet-heat combination that suits your taste buds.
• Use a meat thermometer to confirm wings reach 165F internal temperature, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked chicken every time.
• Store leftover wings in an airtight container for up to 3 days, reheating in air fryer to maintain original crispiness and flavor.
• Replace traditional hot sauce with gluten-free alternatives like Tabasco or homemade chili sauce for celiac-friendly wing experience.

Air Fryer or Not, Try These Versions

• Spicy Garlic Wings: Replace hot honey with garlic-infused honey and add red pepper flakes for extra kick.
• Caribbean Jerk Wings: Mix hot honey with jerk seasoning, rum, and lime juice for a tropical flavor profile.
• Korean Gochujang Wings: Blend hot honey with gochujang paste, soy sauce, and sesame oil for a Korean-inspired coating.
• Mediterranean Herb Wings: Combine hot honey with dried oregano, thyme, and lemon zest for a Mediterranean touch.

Satisfying Pairings for Hot Honey Wings

Pair Spicy-Sweet Wings with Cooling Companions

• Refreshing Beer Pairing: Choose a crisp, light lager or wheat beer to balance the hot honey's spicy kick and cut through the wing's richness.
• Creamy Dipping Delight: Whip up a blue cheese or ranch dressing as a cooling counterpoint to the wings' fiery sauce, providing a smooth texture contrast.
• Citrus Salad Sidekick: Create a zesty orange and fennel salad with a light vinaigrette to brighten the meal and cleanse the palate between spicy bites.
• Tropical Cocktail Complement: Mix a pineapple mojito or mango margarita to echo the sweet-heat profile of the hot honey chicken wings.

Store Hot Honey Wings Without Losing Texture

Store leftover wings in a sealed container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Keep sauce separate to maintain crispiness.

Wrap wings individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Avoid freezing with sauce to prevent sogginess.

Preheat oven to 350F. Spread wings on baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Crisp up under broiler for 2-3 minutes.

Place wings in air fryer basket, cook at 375F for 3-5 minutes. Shake basket halfway through to ensure even heating and restore crispiness.

FAQs

• What makes hot honey sauce unique?

Hot honey combines sweet honey with spicy elements, creating a bold flavor that balances heat and sweetness perfectly.

• Can I make this recipe spicier?

Add extra hot sauce or red pepper flakes to increase the heat level to your preference. Start with small amounts and adjust gradually.

• Do I need special equipment to make these wings?

No, you can use an oven, air fryer, or grill. Each method works well and produces crispy, delicious wings.

• How do I know the wings are fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165F, ensuring the chicken is safe to eat and properly cooked.

Easy Hot Honey Chicken Wings (Air Fryer Option) Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 30 1x

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Description

Sizzling easy hot honey chicken wings bring fiery sweetness to your plate, promising finger-licking flavor that dances between spicy and sweet. Crispy, glazed perfection awaits you with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 pounds (1.8 kilograms) chicken wings

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne

Cooking and Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup Mike’s hot honey
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/4 cup Frank’s Red Hot sauce

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly dry chicken wings with paper towels to ensure maximum crispiness. Coat wings evenly with olive oil and selected seasonings, ensuring complete coverage.
2. For oven method, arrange wings on a spacious baking sheet without overcrowding, allowing each piece room for even heat circulation. Roast at 400F for 45 minutes.
3. Midway through cooking, rotate wings to promote uniform browning and crisp exterior. Switch oven to broil setting for final 5-6 minutes to achieve golden, crunchy texture.
4. While wings cook, prepare sauce by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Incorporate Franks Red Hot and hot honey, whisking continuously until ingredients blend smoothly.
5. Allow sauce to simmer for 2-3 minutes, developing rich flavor complexity. Remove from heat and let cool slightly to thicken consistency.
6. After wings finish cooking, carefully drain accumulated fat from baking sheet to prevent sogginess. Generously coat wings in prepared sauce, ensuring complete and even coverage.
7. For air fryer method, lightly oil basket and cook wings at 375F for 20 minutes. Flip midway to guarantee consistent crispness and thorough cooking.
8. Grilling option requires preheating to medium-high heat. Cook wings 15-20 minutes, rotating frequently to prevent burning and achieve 165F internal temperature.
9. Serve immediately while wings remain hot and sauce glistens, presenting a delectable combination of crispy exterior and tangy, sweet coating.

Notes

• Ensure wings are patted completely dry to achieve maximum crispiness and help seasonings stick better.
• Experiment with different hot honey brands or make homemade hot honey by infusing regular honey with chili peppers for personalized heat levels.
• For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free hot sauce and verify all seasoning ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Consider marinating wings overnight in the seasoning mixture to enhance flavor penetration and create deeper taste profiles.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes (oven), or 20 minutes (air fryer), or 15 minutes (grilling)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 30
• Calories: 172
• Sugar: 3.2 g
• Sodium: 352 mg
• Fat: 10.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7.0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 4.5 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 14.8 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg