I have this memory from childhood—backyard barbecues with my dad, him standing over the grill, basting chicken wings like they were a masterpiece in the making.
The smell of smoky barbecue sauce and sweet honey would fill the air, and I’d be sitting on the porch, counting down the minutes until I could grab a wing straight off the tray.
Fast forward to today, I still crave that flavor, but I like my wings a little less greasy and a little more wholesome.
So, I took that nostalgic taste and gave it a healthier twist—baking instead of frying, but still loaded with flavor.
These Baked Honey BBQ Chicken Wings are the kind of finger-lickin’ good that’ll have you licking your plate when nobody’s looking.
They’re crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and smothered in a sauce so good it should be illegal.
And the best part?
No deep frying. Just good ol’ oven magic.
Chef’s Tips
- Want even crispier wings? Let them sit uncovered in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking to dry out the skin even more.
- No wire rack? Just flip them a couple of extra times while baking.
- Spice it up: Add ½ teaspoon of cayenne to the sauce for extra kick.
- Want a healthier version? Swap honey for maple syrup or use a sugar-free BBQ sauce.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with celery sticks and ranch or blue cheese dip for the ultimate game-day snack.
- Make it a meal by serving with roasted sweet potatoes or a crisp coleslaw.
- Want extra sauce? Double the BBQ sauce recipe and keep some on the side for dipping.
These wings are crowd-pleasers, guaranteed to be the first thing gone at any party. Whether it’s game night, a family dinner, or just a treat-yourself meal, they deliver every time.
So, grab a napkin (or five), and dig in!
🔥 Pin this for later! These Baked Honey BBQ Chicken Wings are so good, they disappear fast—make extra! Let me know how they turn out in the comments. 😋
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Baked Honey BBQ Chicken Wings
Crispy oven-baked wings coated in a sticky honey BBQ sauce that’s sweet, smoky, and finger-lickin’ good.
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
For the Wings:
- 2 lbs chicken wings, split into drumettes and flats
- 1 tbsp baking powder (this is the secret to crispy wings)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Honey BBQ Sauce:
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (use your favorite, I love a smoky Kansas-style sauce)
- ¼ cup honey (local honey for max flavor)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp hot sauce (optional, for a little heat)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Wings
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and place a wire rack on top. This helps air circulate for extra crispy wings.
- Pat the wings dry with paper towels. The drier, the crispier.
- In a large bowl, toss the wings with baking powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, onion powder, and olive oil. The baking powder helps crisp up the skin—don’t skip it!
Step 2: Bake ‘Em
- Arrange wings on the wire rack in a single layer, leaving space between them.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crispy.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
- While the wings are baking, mix BBQ sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, butter, hot sauce (if using), and smoked paprika in a saucepan over low heat. Stir until smooth and slightly thickened.
Step 4: Coat and Serve
- When the wings are done, toss them in the warm honey BBQ sauce until they’re coated like a dream.
- Pop them back in the oven for 5 more minutes to let the sauce caramelize.
Notes
Let the wings air-dry in the fridge for extra crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Appetizers, Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 6 wings
- Calories: ~320
- Sugar: ~12g
- Sodium: ~540mg
- Fat: ~18g
- Saturated Fat: ~5g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: ~22g
- Fiber: ~1g
- Protein: ~25g
- Cholesterol: ~85mg
