Spicy Honey Hot Wings
Spicy Honey Hot Wings
Spicy honey hot wings are crispy baked chicken wings tossed in a sweet-and-spicy sauce of cayenne hot sauce, raw honey, and butter. To make them, you bake the wings with a little baking powder so the skin crisps without frying, then toss them in a quick warm sauce that balances real chile heat against floral honey. What makes them special is that the heat and the sweetness both come from named, in-stock ingredients, a Texas-made cayenne hot sauce and raw Georgia wildflower honey, so the glaze tastes layered instead of one-note. The recipe serves 4 as a main or 6 to 8 as an appetizer and takes about 50 minutes.
The Madeline's products that make this work
Cindy's Cin-Fully Hot Cayenne Hot Sauce
This bold cayenne sauce from Cin Chili & Company delivers clean, fiery heat without excess vinegar or sweetness, which makes it a strong base for a wing glaze. Because it is not overly sour, the honey and butter round it into a sticky sauce rather than fighting it.
Georgia Wildflower Honey
This raw, unfiltered wildflower honey from Weeks Honey Farm is bold and floral, and Weeks lists glazes among its best uses. It brings the sweet side of the sauce and helps it cling to the wings in a glossy coat.
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs chicken wings, split into flats and drumettes
- 1 tablespoon baking powder (not baking soda)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup Cindy's Cin-Fully Hot Cayenne Hot Sauce
- 1/4 cup Georgia Wildflower Honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 425 degrees F and set a wire rack over a foil-lined sheet pan. Pat the wings very dry with paper towels.
- Toss the wings with the baking powder, salt, garlic powder, and pepper until evenly coated. The baking powder is what helps the skin crisp in the oven.
- Arrange the wings in a single layer on the rack, not touching. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, flipping once halfway, until deeply golden and crisp.
- While the wings bake, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the hot sauce, honey, and vinegar and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust, adding more honey to soften the heat or more hot sauce for more fire.
- Put the hot wings in a large bowl, pour over the warm sauce, and toss until every wing is coated.
- Serve right away with extra sauce on the side, and napkins.
Tips and variations
For a milder batch, swap in Cin Chili Serrano Hot Sauce, which has a cleaner medium heat, or add an extra tablespoon of honey. To make the wings stickier, return the sauced wings to the rack and broil for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely so the honey does not scorch. The same sauce works on baked or air-fried chicken tenders and on cauliflower for a meat-free version. Serve with celery, carrots, and a cooling blue cheese or ranch dip.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make spicy honey wings?
Bake chicken wings tossed with baking powder, salt, and spices at 425 degrees F until crisp, about 40 to 45 minutes. Meanwhile melt butter and whisk in cayenne hot sauce, raw honey, and a splash of vinegar, then simmer briefly until it thickens. Toss the hot wings in the warm sauce so the sweet-and-spicy glaze coats every piece.
Why add baking powder to the wings?
Baking powder raises the skin's pH and helps it dry out and crisp in the oven, giving you crunchy wings without deep frying. Use baking powder, not baking soda, and make sure the wings are patted dry first so the coating sticks.
How spicy are these wings?
They land at a medium to hot level that you can dial in. Cindy's Cin-Fully Hot Cayenne brings clean cayenne heat, and the honey balances it. For less heat, add more honey or use a milder sauce like Cin Chili Serrano; for more, add extra hot sauce or a final drizzle before serving.
Can I air-fry or grill the wings instead?
Yes. Air-fry the seasoned wings at 400 degrees F for about 18 to 22 minutes, shaking the basket, or grill them over medium heat until cooked through and crisp. Toss in the warm sauce the same way once they are done.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Refrigerate leftover wings in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat them in a 375 degree F oven or air fryer to bring back the crisp, then add a fresh spoonful of sauce, since the glaze softens in the fridge.
Related
Shop the collections: Condiments and Honey.
More guides: The Best Hot Sauces for Chicken Wings and Hot Honey Glazed Chicken.