Easy Hot Honey Chicken Wings Recipe (Air Fryer Option)

5 from 2 votes

Easy Hot Honey Chicken Wings Recipe (Air Fryer Option)

These crispy Hot Honey Chicken Wings are a crowd favorite and come together quickly, making them perfect for busy weeknights or game day gatherings. Whether baked, air-fried, or grilled, this recipe delivers crispy, flavorful wings every time.

Prep Time10

Cook Time38

Total Time48

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings: servings

Author: Mary Smith

Equipment

sheet pan

Ingredients

4 lbs chicken wings about 30 wings, separated if still attached I get a 3-pack at Costco that has about 4.5 lbs.
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp paprika
1.5 tsp salt
½ tsp cayenne

Hot Honey Sauce

½ cup Mike's hot honey
¼ cup butter melted
¼ cup Frank's Red Hot

Instructions

Oven-Baked Method

Preheat oven to 400°F. Add the wings to a large bowl and dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Toss with the oil and seasonings. Spread out evenly on a large baking sheet so they have plenty of room.
Bake for 45 minutes, then flip and broil for 5-6 minutes until they are crispy enough for your liking.
Meanwhile, add the butter to a saucepan on the stove. Melt over medium heat. Add the hot sauce and hot honey and whisk until combined. Let it bubble over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Let it sit and cool/thicken.
When the wings are done, drain any fat and add them to a large bowl with the sauce. Toss to coat, and enjoy!

Air Fryer

For an air fryer, cook the wings in the air fryer basket (sprayed first with oil), at 375°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Grilling Instructions

If grilling, preheat the grill to medium-high and cook for 15-20 minutes, turning frequently, until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

Notes

Crispy Texture: For extra crispy wings, dry your wings thoroughly with paper towels before baking to ensure they crisp up.
Heat Level: Adjust the amount of hot sauce or cayenne to control the spiciness. Sprinkle some red pepper flakes on the wings for extra heat.
Dairy-Free Option: Use ghee or a plant-based butter alternative to make this recipe completely dairy-free.
Want to mix up your flavors? Swap cayenne pepper for chipotle powder or use a different hot sauce for a new twist!
Extra Sauce: You can make a double batch of the sauce and serve for dipping, or use in variety of other dishes.

Storage

Fridge: Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes to crisp them back up.
Freezer: Freeze the cooked wings in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll last up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in the oven at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until hot and crispy.
Reheating Tip: Avoid microwaving if you want to keep them crispy! Oven or air fryer reheating works best.

Nutrition