These homemade baked chicken wings are an easy recipe that skips the hassle and grease of frying for healthier, extra crispy chicken wings baked in the oven!
Homemade chicken wings are a classic party appetizer that everyone loves. Baking them in the oven means skipping the mess of pan frying like I do in my boneless wings!
We always make a plate of these crispy baked chicken wings with little smokies, jalapeno poppers and pigs in a blanket for any game day celebration, especially Super Bowl!
Why I Love These Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Wings
- Healthier. Not using a deep fryer for homemade chicken wings means less mess and less fat and calories.
- Easy. Only 5 minutes prep time are needed when making this easy baked recipe! They are a winner for game nights or serve as a Super Bowl appetizer.
- Crispy. Learn how to get crispy wings in the oven and apply the technique for baked buffalo wings, teriyaki chicken wings or lemon pepper wings!
The Secret to Extra Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
Since we are not using flour, baking powder is the secret ingredient to help this baked wings recipe not only brown but obtain a nice crisp. Some recipes use cornstarch or flour, but I find that baking powder works best.
- Baking powder helps draw moisture from the surface of the wings, the heat from the oven helps evaporate the moisture and your left with the crispiest chicken wings!
- Do not use baking soda instead of baking powder! It will not work.
- If you are worried about a metallic taste, use an aluminum free baking powder.
How to Make Homemade Chicken Wings
Make sure the wing tips are removed and then separated into wings and drums. Then use paper towels to pat the meat until completely dry.
Add baking powder, salt and black pepper in a zip top bag, shake to combine then place wings into the bag and shake until evenly coated. Place wings on wire cooling racks set over an aluminum foil lined rimmed baking sheet.
Bake wings in oven at 425ºF for about 30 to 40 minutes. The crispy skin should be golden brown. Flip halfway through so that both sides cook evenly.
Remove from oven and let wings rest on rack for a few minutes. Toss with your favorite sauces or serve plain with dipping sauces.
Tips for Crispy Wings
Follow these success tips for cooking homemade chicken wings in oven!
- Dry completely. For the crispiest chicken wings, there shouldn’t be ANY moisture on the skin before seasoning and baking. If the meat is wet, it won’t crisp.
- Bake on a rack. Instead of cooking wings directly on baking sheet, place a rack on top of the sheet then place the wings in a single layer on the rack to distribute heat evenly. Any grease will drip off and help skin achieve a crispy texture.
- Extra seasonings. For a dry rub, use onion powder, paprika (or smoked paprika), garlic powder, cayenne pepper, chili powder or a dry ranch mix.
- Flip halfway. Flip the simple baked chicken wings in oven halfway through to ensure that the exterior is crispy and delicious with juicy meat on the inside.
- Best oven temperature for crispy baked chicken wings: The ideal temperature is 425°F. At a higher temperature you are able to achieve crispy perfection without the need to fry them.
Sauce for Baked Chicken Wings Recipe
When it comes time to slather on your favorite sauce, these delicious options add the best taste and flavor!
- BBQ sauce: Buy your favorite BBQ sauce or make homemade BBQ sauce. Once wings are done baking, brush sauce on top liked I do in baked BBQ chicken.
- Buffalo sauce: For hot wings, purchase Frank’s version from the store or make your own buffalo sauce with hot sauce like I do in buffalo cauliflower wings.
- Teriyaki sauce: I like to buy Yoshida’s brand or make my own homemade teriyaki sauce. It adds the best sweet and salty flavor!
Serving Suggestions
While you could make a main meal out of these, homemade chicken wings are typically served as game day party food along with other appetizer dips. Here are a few favorites:
- Knorr Spinach Dip with fresh-cut veggies including carrots and celery sticks
- Dips like homemade ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing or honey mustard
Other popular finger foods I like to serve at game day parties include southwest egg rolls, BBQ meatballs and BBQ nachos with velveeta queso.
More Game Day Appetizer Recipes
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Crispy Baked Chicken Wings Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds chicken wings (about 20 fresh, not frozen)
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Optional Sauces
For serving: Celery sticks and ranch or blue cheese dressing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425ºF. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat with non-stick cooking spray. Place a wire rack on the pan if you'd like them less greasy.
- Pat wings dry. Make sure your wings tips are removed and separate into wings and drums if they are not already. Pat your wings dry with a paper towel. Make sure they are completely dry.
- Coat chicken wings. Place the baking powder, salt and pepper in a zip top bag. Shake until combined. Then place the chicken in a ziptop bag and shake until coated. Place on top of the rack.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes or until nice and crispy, flipping halfway. Let sit a few minutes and then brush on desired sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Appetizers, Low Carb, Mini appetizers, Super Bowl
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
With three teenage boys you’d think I would make wings all the time but this was my first! Easy to follow instructions and most of all- delicious!
Yum! These were amazing. My new go-to recipe for wings!
My new favorite recipe for wings! With three teenage boys, I make them a lot! Thank you.
These were so tasty and surprisingly crispy. Nobody could believe they were baked! A big hit with my family…thank you!
Thanks Sam! Glad the baked chicken wings were a hit!
My kids devoured this so fast! I am making them again for the Superbowl!
I’m so glad it was a hit! :)
My boys are obsessed with wings. It’s such an easy dinner to throw together that everyone happily eats.
Perfect for super bowl sunday! Can’t wait to try these out.
Fantastic wings. Just finished making them Teriyaki sauce version and used the brand of sauce you’d suggested. Will be serving it with Saffron rice adorned with diced green onions and a side of salad. Can’t count the years that I’d been looking for a tasty wing recipe that is yummy, easy and not with ton of fat. Thank you so much. Love Love your blog.
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for leaving a comment and review. :)
I made these wings last night for our superbowl party (I used the recipe in the bottom box vs. what was in the body of the post) and they were way too salty. I think you could get away without the salt since baking powder is inheritantly salty on its own.
Chicken wings are a must for a game day around here! I need to make these next!
I love all the wings! I could eat a new wing everyday! Have to try yours!
Hope you enjoy! :)
Have to be honest, never thought of putting baking powder on wings… have to try this soon, will update :D
Hope you enjoy! :)
Looks so addicting! Love how easy this recipe is and it’s insanely delicious, need to make this!
Mmmmmm….. these chicken wings are so mouthwatering! A must try recipe!
My husband prefers boneless “wings”. Do you think this would work with sections of breast meat tenders?
It will be a little different but it should work!
Great! My husband hates bake chicken, but I convinced him that these wouldn’t be the same and he loved them.
the recipe turned out exactly as promised. It was really delicious! A big hit with everyone!
This is the perfect way to make wings for the big game this weekend!! Love all the sauce ideas!