Crispy oven-baked chicken wings—healthier than fried, perfect for game day or dinner, and great plain or tossed in your favorite sauce.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Crispy texture without deep frying
Lower in fat than traditional fried wings

Quick and easy prep and cook time
Uses simple pantry ingredients
Perfect for game day, parties, or dinner

Versatile—serve plain, sauced, or dipped
No special equipment needed
Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing

Can be made ahead and reheated
Great base for a variety of sauces

Ingredients

3 pounds chicken wings or drumettes, thawed or fresh

1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons baking powder

Nonstick cooking spray
Optional: ½ cup hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s Red Hot) and 4 tablespoons butter for buffalo sauce

Directions

Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).

Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Spray the rack with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Pat wings dry thoroughly with paper towels to help them crisp.

Toss wings in the flour mixture until evenly coated. Shake off excess.
Arrange wings on the rack, leaving space between each one.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through, until golden and crispy.

For buffalo sauce, melt butter and stir in hot sauce until smooth.
Toss wings in sauce or serve it on the side for dipping.

Servings and Timing

Yield: 6 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories per serving: Approximately 218 kcal

Variations

Buffalo-style: Toss in hot sauce and butter mixture
Garlic parmesan: Add grated parmesan and garlic butter after baking

Lemon pepper: Sprinkle with lemon pepper seasoning right after baking
Asian-inspired: Toss in a soy sauce, honey, and garlic glaze
Spicy BBQ: Mix BBQ sauce with a touch of hot sauce for heat

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days
Freezing: Freeze cooked wings for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container
Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 375°F for 10–15 minutes until crisp again. Avoid microwaving to preserve crispiness

FAQs

Can I use frozen wings?

Yes, just thaw completely and pat dry before coating to ensure crispness.

What does baking powder do?

It helps create a crispy skin by drawing moisture away during baking.

Do I need a wire rack?

A rack helps air circulate for even crisping, but you can bake directly on foil if needed.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, bake and store them in the fridge. Reheat in the oven before serving.

Are these gluten-free?

Not as written. Use a gluten-free flour blend to make them gluten-free.

Can I air-fry these wings instead?

Yes, air fry at 400°F for 20–25 minutes, shaking halfway through.

How do I make them extra spicy?

Add cayenne to the flour mix or use a hotter sauce like habanero or sriracha.

Do I need to flip the wings during baking?

Rotating the baking sheet is usually enough, but flipping can help for extra even browning.

Can I use drumsticks instead of wings?

Yes, but increase the cooking time to ensure they cook through.

What can I serve with these wings?

Celery sticks, carrot sticks, and ranch or blue cheese dressing are classic pairings.

Conclusion

These Crispy Baked Chicken Wings are a go-to recipe for flavor-packed, healthier comfort food. Whether you enjoy them plain, sauced, or with a side of dip, they’re sure to satisfy any craving without the mess of frying. Keep this recipe on hand for your next party, game night, or quick weeknight meal—you won’t be disappointed.

More Crispy, Savory Bites You’ll Love

For fans of golden, flavor-packed bites, these recipes are perfect additions to your game-day or weeknight menus:

Spicy Chili Crisp Honey Glazed Wings – A bold and spicy variation of wings with a sticky-sweet finish.
Pan-Fried Honey Butter Chicken – Sweet, savory, and pan-crisped to perfection.
Fried Chicken Tacos – Crispy chicken meets taco Tuesday in the best way possible.

Creamy Cheesy Baked Crab Dip – A hot, creamy side dish perfect alongside wings at any party.
Texas Toast Sloppy Joes – A hearty, hand-held option that’s just as satisfying and crowd-pleasing.

Crispy Baked Chicken Wings

Author: Chef Clara
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Description

These oven-baked chicken wings are a healthier alternative to traditional fried wings, offering a crispy texture without the mess of deep frying. Perfect for game day or any gathering, they can be enjoyed plain or tossed in your favorite sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

3 pounds chicken wings or drumettes, thawed or fresh
1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon black pepper

¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons baking powder
Nonstick cooking spray

Optional: ½ cup hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s Red Hot) and 4 tablespoons butter for buffalo sauce

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
Line a large baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Spray the rack with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Add the wings to the bowl and toss to coat evenly with the flour mixture. Shake off any excess coating.

Arrange the coated wings on the prepared rack, ensuring they are not touching.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through. The wings should be golden brown and crispy.
If making buffalo sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then stir in the hot sauce until combined.

Toss the baked wings in the sauce or serve it on the side for dipping.

Notes

Ensure wings are thoroughly dried before coating to maximize crispiness.
Use a wire rack to allow air circulation and even cooking.

Customize with your favorite dry rub or sauce for different flavor profiles.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes

Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Calories: 218 kcal
Sugar: 0 g

Sodium: 420 mg
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g

Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 3 g

Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 22 g
Cholesterol: 80 mg