Honey BBQ Air Fryer Chicken Wings
These Honey BBQ Air Fryer Chicken Wings are crispy, juicy, and coated in a sweet, tangy homemade sauce. Perfect for game days or casual dinners, they’re easy to make, healthier than deep-fried, and packed with bold flavors that will leave everyone reaching for more.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honey BBQ Air Fryer Chicken Wings are a crowd-pleaser that combines convenience with irresistible taste. The air fryer delivers perfectly crispy wings without the mess or extra oil of deep frying, making them a healthier option. The homemade honey BBQ sauce strikes a balance between sweet, smoky, and tangy, clinging to every bite for maximum flavor. Whether you’re hosting a game-day party, craving a quick weeknight meal, or just want a finger-licking treat, these wings are easy to prepare and guaranteed to impress. Plus, the recipe is customizable, letting you adjust the heat or sweetness to suit your taste.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Pat Wings Dry: Remove excess moisture with paper towels for maximum crispiness.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Arrange wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
- Shake the Basket: Toss wings halfway through cooking for uniform crispiness.
- Sauce Timing: Toss wings in sauce after cooking to prevent sogginess.
- Check Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure wings reach 165°F internally.
- Double the Sauce: Make extra sauce for dipping or drizzling.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Start with a preheated air fryer for consistent results.
- Clean Immediately: Wipe down the air fryer basket after cooling to avoid stuck-on residue.
Honey BBQ Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Crispy air fryer chicken wings tossed in sweet, tangy honey BBQ sauce—perfect for game days or quick dinners.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken wings, split into flats and drumettes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- Optional: pinch of chili flakes
Instructions
- Prep the Wings: Pat chicken wings dry with paper towels to remove moisture. This ensures they get super crispy in the air fryer.
- Season Wings: In a large bowl, toss wings with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat for 3-5 minutes for optimal cooking.
- Arrange Wings: Place wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t overlap for even crispiness.
- Cook First Side: Air fry wings for 12 minutes at 400°F, then shake the basket or flip wings with tongs.
- Finish Cooking: Cook for another 10-13 minutes until golden and crispy, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Make Sauce: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter, then stir in honey, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, and optional chili flakes. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Toss Wings: Transfer cooked wings to a large bowl, pour warm honey BBQ sauce over them, and toss gently to coat.
- Serve Immediately: Plate wings with extra sauce on the side for dipping, and garnish with parsley if desired.
- Enjoy: Dig into these sticky, flavorful wings—perfect with celery sticks, ranch, or a cold drink!
Notes
- Check wings’ doneness with a meat thermometer to avoid undercooking.
- Adjust sauce sweetness or heat to taste before tossing.
- For extra crispy wings, air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Clean air fryer basket promptly to avoid stuck-on grease.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 976Total Fat 66gSaturated Fat 24gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 37gCholesterol 207mgSodium 1574mgCarbohydrates 56gFiber 2gSugar 30gProtein 40g
The recipes and nutritional information on Yum Tonight are for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare provider for personalized dietary advice.
Ingredients Notes
- Chicken Wings (2 lbs): Fresh or thawed wings work best. Split into flats and drumettes for even cooking.
- Olive Oil (1 tbsp): Helps crisp the skin; avocado oil is a good alternative.
- Paprika (1 tsp): Adds smoky depth; use smoked paprika for extra flavor.
- Garlic Powder (1 tsp): Enhances savory notes; fresh garlic is too moist for air frying.
- Salt and Pepper: Season generously to elevate the wings’ natural flavor.
- Honey (1/4 cup): Provides sweetness; use raw honey for a richer taste.
- BBQ Sauce (1/2 cup): Choose a high-quality, tangy sauce as the flavor base.
- Apple Cider Vinegar (1 tbsp): Balances sweetness with a slight tang.
- Butter (2 tbsp): Adds richness to the sauce; unsalted is preferred.
- Optional Chili Flakes: A pinch adds subtle heat for spice lovers.
Variations and Substitutions
- Spice Level: Add cayenne or hot sauce for fiery wings, or omit chili flakes for milder flavor.
- Sauce Swap: Try teriyaki, buffalo, or garlic parmesan sauce instead of BBQ.
- Sweetener: Maple syrup or agave can replace honey for a different sweetness profile.
- Oil Options: Use avocado or grapeseed oil if olive oil isn’t available.
- Gluten-Free: Ensure your BBQ sauce is gluten-free for dietary needs.
- Low-Sugar: Use sugar-free BBQ sauce and a natural sweetener like stevia.
- Vegan: Swap chicken for cauliflower florets and use vegan butter and BBQ sauce.
- Seasoning: Experiment with Cajun, ranch, or lemon pepper seasoning for variety.
Storage Options
- Refrigerator: Store cooked wings in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked, unsauced wings in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight, reheat, then toss in fresh sauce.
- Sauce Storage: Keep extra sauce in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 1 week; reheat gently before using.
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