Honey BBQ Wings

These Honey BBQ Wings are sweet, sticky, and easy to make in the air fryer, with crisp edges and a glossy honey barbecue sauce in every bite.

Flavor: Sweet, smoky, and sticky with tangy barbecue sauce and a glossy honey glaze.
Why Make It: A short ingredient list and the air fryer make these wings easy to prep, easier to clean up, and full of sticky caramelized flavor without deep frying.
Recommended Tools: Air fryer, large bowl, tongs, and a small bowl for mixing the sauce.
Serving Suggestions: Serve with ranch or blue cheese for dipping and a side of crunchy celery or slaw to balance the sweet, sticky sauce.

ingredients to make Honey BBQ Wings with labels

Ingredient Notes

Wings: For best results, use split chicken wings, or cut whole wings at the joints so they cook more evenly.
Sauce: Honey gives the sauce its sticky, glossy finish, while the barbecue sauce adds most of the smoky, sweet, or tangy flavor. Use a barbecue sauce you already love, since each one changes the final taste a little.
Variations:
- Use a smoky barbecue sauce for a deeper, grill-style flavor.
- Add sriracha or swap the honey with hot honey for spicy Honey BBQ Wings.
- For larger batches, try this oven version to feed a crowd.

adding bbq sauce and honey together to make sauce for Honey BBQ Wings

adding honey bbq sauce to wings to make Honey BBQ Wings

How to Make Honey BBQ Wings

Preheat the air fryer. Season the wings and cook in a single layer until crisp.
Mix the honey and barbecue sauce (full recipe below).
Toss the wings in the sauce, return them to the air fryer, and cook until sticky and caramelized.

Let them rest for a few minutes before serving since the sauce will be very hot.

For Crispy Wings: Pat the wings very dry before seasoning so they crisp instead of steam.
Perfect Sauce: Sauce the wings near the end so the honey does not scorch too early.
Crispier Oven Wings: Use the baking powder and chill them uncovered before baking.
To Re-Crisp: Add all finished batches together for 2 to 3 minutes before serving so they hit the table hot at the same time.
Use Parchment: Line the baking pan or air fryer with parchment paper after saucing for easy cleanup.
- Never preheat the air fryer with loose parchment inside since it can blow around and burn (the wings will hold it in place).

crispy Honey BBQ Wings cooked in the air fryer

Save Every Sticky Bite

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, and in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Thaw in the refrigerator. Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F to 400°F for a few minutes to warm the skin and make it sticky again. The oven also works well on a parchment-lined pan.

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image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
Toss the chicken wings with olive oil, salt, and pepper. And place in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 15 minutes.
While the wings are cooking, mix the honey and the bbq sauce in a small bowl.
After 15 minutes, remove the wings from the air fryer and toss them with the sauce.
I recommend lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper when adding the sauced wings. Place the wings back in the air fryer basket and cook for an additional 5 to 7 minutes.
Let rest a few minutes before serving (the sauce will be very hot right after cooking).

For Oven Baked Wings

Toss the wings with 1 tablespoon flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder and seasonings. Refrigerate 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours) uncovered.
Toss the wings with olive oil and place on rack that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Cook in a 425°F oven for 20 minutes, flip and bake an additional 15 minutes.
Toss with sauce and broil for a few minutes to crisp.

Optional additions to the BBQ sauce: garlic, sriracha, fresh ginger, or hot pepper flakes
If using an air fryer, cook in a single layer and do not overcrowd the air fryer.
Cook in batches if needed. All batches can be reheated in the air fryer at 400°F for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and in the freezer for 2 months.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Air Fryer, Appetizer, Chicken

Cuisine American

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