Name: Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Ingredients: 2 pounds chicken wings (drummettes/split wings); 1/3 – 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; Salt and pepper to taste; Cooking oil spray (olive oil recommended); 1/2 cup honey; 2 tablespoons soy sauce or liquid aminos; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger); 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Jump to Recipe

If you’re looking for the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack that’s sticky, savory, sweet, and absolutely irresistible, you have to make these Honey Garlic Chicken Wings. They come out beautifully crispy, coated in a glossy homemade sauce that balances the deep warmth of garlic, a kiss of honey, and a bold pop of smoked paprika. Whether you bake them in the oven or crisp them up in the air fryer, these wings are reliably simple to pull off – yet they taste like something you’d order from your favorite restaurant. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be dreaming up excuses to make them again and again!

Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This list is refreshingly short, but every item plays a key role in building layers of rich flavor and achieving that signature sticky, golden exterior. Here’s what you need, plus some handy tips for knockout results every time.

Chicken wings: Use drummettes or split wings so every bite is juicy and satisfying—just be sure to pat them dry for maximum crispness.
All-purpose flour: Just enough to lightly coat your wings; this helps them brown up beautifully and grab onto that lovely sauce.
Garlic powder: Delivers a background punch of garlicky goodness—don’t skip it!
Salt and pepper: Season to taste to bring forward every flavor.
Cooking oil spray: A light spritz helps the wings develop that irresistible browned crust—olive oil spray works well.
Honey: The star ingredient for that sticky, glossy finish and beautiful sweetness.
Soy sauce or liquid aminos: Adds the perfect amount of umami depth (either works—use what you have!)
Fresh garlic: Minced for bold, aromatic flavor that infuses every drop of sauce.
Fresh ginger: Minced for zing—you can substitute ground ginger if that’s what’s on hand.
Smoked paprika: This gives your sauce a gorgeous color and subtle smoky undertone.

How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

Step 1: Prep and Dry the Chicken

Pat your chicken wings completely dry with paper towels. This is essential for creating a crispy coating—damp wings just won’t brown as nicely! Pile them into a big bowl or zip-top bag so you have plenty of room to toss and coat them evenly.

Step 2: Coat the Wings

Add the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, plus a generous pinch of salt and pepper right to your bowl of wings. Toss everything together until every piece is dusted with a thin, even layer—don’t be shy! The flour is what helps the outside get perfectly crisp and ready to soak up every last drop of your Honey Garlic Chicken Wings sauce.

Step 3: Arrange and Spritz

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup, then spread your coated wings out in a single layer so the heat can reach every side. Give them a good spritz all over with your cooking oil spray—this will help them get that crave-worthy golden crunch.

Step 4: Bake or Air Fry

For oven-baked wings, preheat to 375 degrees. Bake for 20 minutes, then flip the wings and give them another quick oil spritz before baking for an additional 10 minutes, until they’re cooked through and nicely crisped up. If you’re using an air fryer, set it to 400 degrees and cook the wings for 15 minutes, then flip and spritz them before finishing with another 5 minutes. Either way, you’ll end up with perfectly crispy wings ready for saucing!

Step 5: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce

While the wings cook, make your sauce by combining honey, minced garlic, smoked paprika, ginger, and soy sauce in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir constantly and let everything simmer for 3–5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and turns glossy. Taste and adjust—if you’re a garlic lover, feel free to amp it up!

Step 6: Sauce and Toss

Once your wings are hot and crispy, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the warm sauce all over, then toss until every piece is glistening and coated. Serve them up right away for maximum sticky, finger-licking deliciousness—this is the Honey Garlic Chicken Wings magic moment!

How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

Garnishes

Garnishing your Honey Garlic Chicken Wings takes them from “awesome” to “absolutely unforgettable.” Try a shower of thinly sliced green onions for color and a burst of freshness, or sprinkle on toasted sesame seeds for a hint of crunch and visual pop. If you’re a heat lover, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a few slices of fresh chili adds a spicy kick that plays perfectly with the sweet sauce.

Side Dishes

These wings are bold enough to hold their own, but they’re fantastic on a platter alongside something cooling and fresh. A crunchy Asian-inspired slaw, simple steamed rice, or buttery corn on the cob all work beautifully. You can also serve them with crisp celery and carrot sticks for a classic touch, especially if you’re planning a party spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, arrange your Honey Garlic Chicken Wings on a big platter with plenty of napkins and little dipping bowls of extra sauce. Want something a little different? Try serving each wing on a small bamboo skewer, or set them atop a bed of fluffy lettuce leaves for appetizer-sized lettuce wraps. They also shine in a rice bowl with sliced cucumber, pickled carrots, and extra drizzles of sauce for a playful spin on dinner.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with extra Honey Garlic Chicken Wings (rare, but it happens!), just pop them into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure the sauce is clinging to the wings to keep them moist and flavorful.

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze these wings! Lay the cooled Honey Garlic Chicken Wings out on a baking sheet to freeze individually; once solid, transfer to a freezer bag. This helps them stay separated and easy to reheat later. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating

For the crispiest results, reheat your wings in the oven or air fryer at 375 degrees until heated through and sizzling—usually about 8–10 minutes. If you’re short on time, the microwave works in a pinch, but you’ll lose a bit of that lovely crunch.

FAQs

Can I use frozen wings?

Absolutely! Just be sure to fully thaw and dry your wings before coating; frozen wings will let off a lot of moisture that can keep them from getting crisp.

How do I make the wings spicier?

Add a teaspoon of chili garlic sauce or a few dashes of cayenne pepper to the honey garlic sauce, or simply toss in sliced chili for a fiery finish.

Do I have to use fresh garlic and ginger?

While fresh garlic and ginger really enliven the sauce, you absolutely can substitute with powder if needed—just use about a third as much, since dried spices are more concentrated.

What if I don’t have smoked paprika?

Regular paprika or even a pinch of chipotle powder will work! Smoked paprika adds a great depth, but the wings are still delicious without it.

Can I make the Honey Garlic Chicken Wings gluten-free?

Yes! Swap the flour for a gluten-free all-purpose blend and use tamari instead of soy sauce, and you’re all set for crispy, saucy gluten-free wings.

Final Thoughts

I can’t wait for you to try these Honey Garlic Chicken Wings in your own kitchen—they’re an absolute favorite in my house, and perfect for game day, weeknight dinners, or anytime you want to wow a crowd. Bring some napkins and plenty of appetite, because one bite and you’ll see why everyone falls in love with these wings!

Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 11 reviews

Author: anna
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

These Honey Garlic Chicken Wings are the perfect combination of sweet and savory, with a crispy exterior and tender, juicy meat. Whether baked in the oven or air-fried, they are sure to be a hit at any gathering or as a delicious weeknight meal.

Instructions

Oven and Baking Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 2. Pat the chicken dry and coat with flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. 3. Place on a lined sheet pan, spritz with cooking oil, and bake for 20 minutes. 4. Flip the wings, spritz with oil, and bake for an additional 10 minutes until crispy.
Honey Garlic Sauce
1. Heat a saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and smoked paprika. 2. Cook until thickened, adjusting taste as needed. 3. Drizzle over baked wings.
Air Fryer Instructions
1. Coat chicken with flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. 2. Air fry at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, flip, and cook for 5 more minutes until crispy. 3. Prepare honey garlic sauce as for oven method and drizzle over the cooked wings.

Notes

You can adjust the sweetness or garlic levels in the sauce to suit your taste preferences.
For spicier wings, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and a side of celery and carrot sticks.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Appetizer, Main Course
Method: Baking, Air Frying
Cuisine: Asian Fusion