These baked barbecue chicken wings are a welcome change of pace from typical hot wings. Instead of deep-frying, we bake the chicken wings with a light coating of baking powder (the secret behind the crispy texture of our baked chicken wings). Then, we glaze the crispy wings with barbecue sauce to give them a saucy finish.
Spiced and tangy with a sticky-sweet texture, these baked barbecue chicken wings make us understand what it means for something to be finger-lickin’ good!
Ingredients for Barbecue Chicken Wings
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- Chicken wings: We usually start our chicken wing recipes with whole wings to create a perfect mix of drumettes and wingettes (aka “flats”). If you don’t want to separate them at home, pick up a package of already-separated party wings from the store.
- Wing seasoning: Baking powder helps oven-baked wings become crispy. We also add seasonings, including salt, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper and cayenne pepper, to the baking powder.
- Butter and vegetable oil: Cooking oil helps the wings crisp up in the oven, and butter adds richness.
- Barbecue sauce: The best barbecue sauce for chicken wings is the one you like the most! Use a store-bought bottle or make a homemade version of your favorite regional barbecue sauce.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the chicken wings
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Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with foil or parchment. Pour the butter and oil over the foil, and brush to coat evenly.
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Using a sharp knife, cut through the two wing joints to separate the drumettes from the wingettes, and discard the wing tips.
Editor’s Tip: If you have room in the freezer, save the wing tips. Add them to your next batch of homemade chicken broth to give the broth a collagen-rich boost.
Step 2: Season the chicken wings
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In a large bowl, combine the baking powder, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper and cayenne. Add the wing pieces, a few at a time, and toss to coat. Shake off any excess seasoning.
Step 3: Bake the chicken wings
Place the wings on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes.
Step 4: Baste the wings with barbecue sauce
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Brush both sides of the wings with half the barbecue sauce. Bake until the wings are browned and the juices run clear, 8 to 10 minutes longer. Brush with the remaining 1/4 cup sauce.
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Barbecue Chicken Wing Variations
- Air-fry the wings: For air-fryer chicken wings, coat the chicken wings in the wing seasoning as directed. Air-fry the chicken in a 300° air fryer for 15 minutes. Then increase the heat to 400° and continue cooking until the wings are golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes,