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Hot honey wings are crispy baked chicken wings tossed in a sweet-and-spicy hot honey sauce that’s finger-licking good. They’re easy to make at home and taste like your favorite restaurant wings.
You'll also love my oven baked chicken wings recipe!
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Why you'll love hot honey wings
There's no debate that hot wings are essential Super Bowl food. But sometimes, you need a not-so-hot version that satisfies your mild and hot-wing crowd. These honey hot wings are your delicious solution!
This recipe accommodates crowds because the honey buffalo sauce doesn't taste hot. In fact, the butter and honey tone down the heat, resulting in the perfect flavor balance of savory, mildly hot, buttery, and sweet. Don't be surprised if you see plates getting licked!
What you'll need
- Chicken wings – Also called party wings, these are usually sold as wingettes and drumettes. I often buy them frozen, but sometimes you can find them fresh.
- Olive oil – A light coating helps the seasoning stick and gives the wings a crispy finish.
- Paprika – Use hot, smoked, or sweet paprika, depending on your flavor preference.
- Salt and pepper – Adjust to your taste; I usually start with the amounts listed in the recipe and add more if needed.
- Hot sauce – I use Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce. It gives the hot honey sauce its kick without being overpowering.
- Honey – This makes the sweet part of the hot honey wing sauce. It balances the heat and makes these wings truly irresistible!
- Butter – I prefer unsalted butter since the hot sauce already has plenty of sodium, but you can use salted if that’s what you have.
How to Make Hot Honey Wings
This recipe is my sweet and spicy take on classic hot wings, and it couldn’t be easier. The wings bake up crispy in the oven, then get tossed in a sticky, hot honey sauce that makes them truly irresistible.
First, pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Whisk together the olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss the wings in this mixture to coat.
Arrange the wings in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment, or use an oven-safe cooling rack if you have one. Bake at 400°F for about 45 minutes, or until the wings are crispy to your liking. (Air fryer option: 360°F for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway.)
While the wings bake, make the hot honey wing sauce. Combine hot sauce, honey, and butter in a bowl or small saucepan. Heat the butter on the stove or microwave until it melts, then whisk until smooth.
Next, you'll toss the crispy chicken wings in the hot honey sauce until coated. Serve them as they are, or return the sauce-coated wings to the oven for 5–10 minutes to create a sticky glaze that makes them extra finger-licking good.
Serve hot honey wings with extra hot honey wing sauce and a cool, creamy ranch dressing. The sweet-and-spicy wings paired with savory ranch make every bite completely irresistible.
Recipe tips for honey hot wings
- Selecting wings: Look for “party wings,” “wingettes,” or “drumettes.” They cook evenly and are easier to serve.
- Crispy results: Make sure wings are completely dry before seasoning for the best golden surface.
- Adjusting flavor: Add a pinch of cayenne for more heat or extra honey for more sweetness.
- Sticky glaze option: After saucing, return wings to the oven for 5–10 minutes to caramelize into a glossy glaze.
- Hot honey wing sauce: This sweet-and-spicy sauce works for wings but also makes a great dip, sandwich drizzle, or pizza topping.
- For classic hot wings: Omit the honey and enjoy the classic hot wing goodness!
More delicious appetizer recipes
- Pulled Pork Nachos Recipe
- Best Guacamole Recipe
- Baked Jalapeno Popper Dip
- Hot Crab Dip
- Totchos Tater Tot Nachos
- Instant Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip
- BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
📖 Recipe
Hot Honey Wings Recipe
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Note about scaling
When scaling, the light gray ingredient notes after the comma don’t change. Adjust as needed.
Ingredients
For the wings
- 1 pound Chicken Wings, party wings, about 12
- 2 teaspoons Olive Oil
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
For the hot honey wing sauce
- 2 tablespoons Hot Sauce, such as Frank’s Red Hot
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment or cooking spray and, if available, an oven-safe rack.
- Pat CHICKEN WINGS completely dry with paper towels. Toss with OLIVE OIL, PAPRIKA, SALT, and PEPPER.
- Arrange WINGS in a single layer and bake for about 45 minutes, or until crispy to your liking. No need to fip if using the rack.Note: For air fryer: 360°F for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway.
- To make the hot honey sauce: Combine HOT SAUCE, HONEY, and BUTTER in a bowl or small saucepan. Heat until BUTTER melts, stirring until smooth.
- Toss cooked WINGS in the HOT HONEY SAUCE until coated. Serve warm with your favorite dip.
Recipe Notes
Equipment
- baking sheet (optional) with oven-safe cooling rack
Nutrition
Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on brands, ingredients, and portions.
Dale says
Loved the recipe. I did cut the butter in half, the second time I cooked it. Super good. Thanks for sharing.
Traci says
Yay! You're so welcome! Great idea to cut the butter and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for taking the time to leave this feedback - and for bringing my recipe into your kitchen!
Jsprague says
I made this recipe in my AF for a meal before work. I told everyone at work how delicious they were and then made them again after my shift on the SAME DAY! 10/10
Traci says
Hiya! I'm so glad you enjoyed - twice! We love these too. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Pamela says
These are amazing and so easy. I’ve shared the recipe and everyone likes them.
Traci says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed and thanks for sharing! They're honestly my favorite sauce for hot wings 🙂
Jeff says
These are restaurant quality wings! Your honey hot wing sauce is so simple and just so good! And I like how you have dialed in the temperature so they're always juicy and never dry. These are going on the Super Bowl food menu, forever LOL. Thanks for a great recipe!
Traci says
Yes!! These are my fav game day food too! So glad you're enjoying the recipe. Thanks for the feedback!!
R Tomas says
You are right, this honey hot sauce is drinkable and these wings are perfectly cooked. I may never eat plain hot wings again LOL. Thanks for this great recipe!
Traci says
Haha yes and you are so welcome!! So glad you love them as much as we do. Thanks for the feedback!