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Crispy Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

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These Crispy Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings are perfectly crispy, sticky, sweet, and savory. Made with simple ingredients and a two-step cooking method, they come together in under 30 minutes and are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs chicken wings (about 10–12 whole wings, or 20–24 flats and drumettes)
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder (NOT baking soda)
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground preferred)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/3 cup honey (runny, good-quality)
  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional but recommended)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Sesame seeds (for garnish)
  • Sliced green onions (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep the chicken wings (5 minutes): If using whole wings, cut at the joints into drumettes, flats, and tips. Discard tips or save for stock. Pat each piece completely dry with paper towels. Lay them on a paper towel-lined tray and let air-dry for 10 minutes.
  2. Season the wings (5 minutes): In a large bowl, combine baking powder, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add dried wings and toss well with your hands until evenly coated.
  3. Preheat the air fryer (3 minutes): Set air fryer to 250°F (120°C) and preheat for 3 minutes.
  4. First cook (20 minutes): Place wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd. Cook at 250°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  5. Second cook (10-12 minutes): Increase air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C). Cook for another 10-12 minutes, flipping once at the 5-minute mark, until deep golden brown and crispy. Internal temperature should be 175-180°F.
  6. Make the honey garlic glaze (5 minutes): While wings cook, combine honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and rice vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Let bubble gently for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and whisk in butter and sesame oil until glossy. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  7. Toss and glaze (2 minutes): Transfer cooked wings to a large bowl. Pour about half the glaze over the wings and toss gently with tongs until coated. Reserve remaining glaze for serving.
  8. Garnish and serve (2 minutes): Transfer glazed wings to a serving platter. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Notes

Pat wings extremely dry for maximum crispiness. Do not skip the low-temperature first cook—it renders fat and ensures crispy skin. Glaze wings at the last possible second to maintain crunch. For best results, serve immediately. Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken wings, honey garlic wings, crispy wings, game day appetizer, easy chicken wings

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