These sticky chicken wings are absolutely delicious. In this recipe, chicken wings are baked until tender, then coated in a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. They make a fantastic appetizer for game day, parties, or any casual get-together.
Ingredients
Chicken wings - Use drums and flats with the wing tips removed. If needed, you can buy whole wings and separate them yourself.
Seasoning - Salt, garlic powder, and black pepper keep the seasoning simple.
Cooking spray - A light coating helps keep the wings from sticking.
For the barbecue sauce - Plain barbecue sauce, brown sugar, honey, ketchup, yellow mustard, and Worcestershire sauce make a sweet and tangy sauce.
You will also need
Two large baking sheets, one cooling rack, and a pastry brush.
📖 See the recipe card for quantities and preparation.
How to make sticky chicken wings
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Season the wings with the salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Spray a baking sheet lightly with cooking spray. Arrange the wings in a single layer and bake for 30 minutes.
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Remove them from the oven. Line a clean baking sheet with a cooling rack. The rack will elevate the wings and allow air to circulate around them.
Spray the cooling rack lightly with cooking spray. Arrange the wings in a single layer, skin side up, and bake for 15 minutes.
Make the sauce
While the wings continue to cook, make the barbecue sauce.
Add the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, honey, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce to a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently so it does not stick.
Simmer for a few minutes, until the sugar dissolves and the ingredients are well combined. Do not leave the pan unattended.
Lower the heat to low and keep the sauce warm until ready to use, stirring occasionally.
Add about ¾ of the sauce to a bowl and reserve the rest for serving.
Coat the wings
Remove them from the oven and turn each one so the paler side is up.
Use a pastry brush to coat them generously with the sauce and bake for 5 minutes.
Remove them from the oven again and turn each wing. Brush with another thick layer of sauce.
Return them to the oven and bake for 5 minutes.
Without turning them this time, brush them with sauce one final time and bake for 5 more minutes.
Arrange the wings on a platter and serve with the remaining sauce on the side. Be sure to have plenty of napkins handy.
Storing and reheating instructions
Let the wings cool, then store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
To freeze, place cooled leftovers in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2-3 months for the best quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat leftovers in a 375°F oven until hot throughout, or warm them in the microwave until heated through. If needed, brush or spoon on a little extra sauce before serving.
According to USDA recommendations, do not leave cooked food out for longer than 2 hours, or for more than 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F. Reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of at least 165°F. For more information on food storage and safety guidelines, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture and foodSafety.gov.
If you liked this recipe, try our cold buffalo chicken dip or layered taco dip for two easy party favorites. Mango habanero wings are also a great option if you want another wing recipe with a little sweet heat.
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📖 Recipe
Sticky Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 2-3 pounds Chicken Wings drums and flats separated and wing tips removed (about 24-30 wing pieces)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- Cooking Spray
For the sticky barbecue sauce
- 1½ cup Plain Barbecue Sauce use your favorite brand
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- ¼ cup Honey
- 2 tablespoons Ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Yellow Mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
Instructions
You will also need: 2 Large Baking Sheets, 1 Cooling Rack, 1 Pastry Brush
- Preheat the oven to 375°F
- Season the chicken wings with the salt, garlic powder and pepper.
- Spray a baking sheet lightly with cooking spray. Place the chicken wings, in a single layer, on the baking sheet. Bake them for 30 minutes.
- Remove the wings from the oven. Line a clean baking sheet with a cooling rack.
- Spray the cooling rack lightly with cooking spray. Arrange the chicken wings, in a single layer, on the cooling rack, skin side up. Bake them for 15 minutes.
While the wings continue to cook, make the sauce
- Add the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, honey, ketchup, mustard and Worcestershire sauce to a saucepan. Heat the barbecue sauce over medium heat, stirring frequently to avoid sticking.
- Simmer the sauce for a few minutes, until the sugar melts and the ingredients are incorporated. Give the sauce all of your attention while it's simmering! Do not leave the pan unattended.
- Lower the heat to low and keep the sauce warm until ready to use, stirring occasionally.
- Add about ¾ of the sauce to a bowl and reserve the rest for serving.
Coat the wings with the barbecue sauce
- Remove the wings from the oven and turn each one so the paler side is up. Brush them with a generous amount of the barbecue sauce and bake for another 5 minutes.
- Again, remove them from the oven and turn each wing. Brush them with a thick layer of the sauce.
- Return the wings to the oven and bake another 5 minutes.
- Without turning them this time, sauce them one final time and bake for another 5 minutes.
- Arrange the chicken wings on a platter serve them with the remaining barbecue sauce on the side.
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Nutrition
The nutritional information above is computer generated and is only an estimate. There is no guarantee that it is accurate. This data is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only.
Lisa
Wow!! I needed a good wing recipe, and this one hit the spot, easy and deeelish!!
Barb
I am getting ready to make this recipe this week, do you use frozen wings or fresh ones? Thank you in advance
Elizabeth
Hi Barb, I use wings that are defrosted. Whether they were previously frozen or not. Hope that helps.
Barbara Duffel
Thank you so much
Char
I made these wings on a snowy day. Delicious, sticky, sweet and all that! I put parchment on a sheet pan and put a cooling rack over parchment with the wings and baked at 375, turned them over baked another 15 min. Dipped wings in sauce return to oven 5 min more. Turned out great! Thanks for the recipe!
Rikki Drake
If traveling what’s the best way to keep them warm till eaten can you use a crockpot on warm will it ruin them
Elizabeth
Hi Rikki, I've never put them in a crockpot so I can't speak to the results. I would place them in a covered baking dish or large foil tray.
Layla
What do i do if i dont have a cooling rack 😳 do i just bake them again on a tray?
Elizabeth
Hi Layla, if you have more than one tray I would change it out so that they are not sitting in the rendered juices. Then you brush them prepared sauce and continue with the recipe. That should work ok. Good luck, I hope you enjoy them!
Deane Ford
Hi Elizabeth I'm just finishing up my sticky wings now an so far they look great can't wait to taste them . Thank You,
Elizabeth
Hi Deane,
I hope you enjoy them!
Barbara
10stars my family really enjoyed this sauce this is my family go to sauce when ever we need sauce thank you for sharing
Sharnel Govender
Thank you for the recipe, the wings came out amazing. Definitely would keep making these delicious wings again and again 😋❤️
Bonnie
The wings were absolutely amazing but with my oven I had to settle on 400
But my husband and I enjoyed them very much. Thank you for the recipe. God bless.
Elizabeth
Hi Bonnie,
I'm happy to hear that you both enjoyed them. It's my pleasure, thank you!
JOAN
The wings were delicious
Elizabeth
Happy to hear it!
Brenda
We Loved this recipe! I baked the wings in the oven as the recipe calls for. I did add 10-minutes bc the wings I used with Huge! I did add a bit more spices to the “rub.” We used the delicious bbq sauce recipe provided, but without Ketchup (bc I forgot to add it). Super YUMMY! Thanks so much for posting and sharing! 😋
Elizabeth
Hi Brenda,
Thank you for your kind comment. Good tip about cooking larger wings longer. So happy you enjoyed them!
Gloria
Hi Elizabeth.
Thank you for being kind enough to share your authentic recipe with us.
Have always flopped when it comes to making wings,but must admit this time around I nailed it. Feeling proud of myself and thankful for the simple,easy and tasty recipe. Even my picky husband asked for 2nds. Thank you.
Elizabeth
Hi Gloria,
Thank you, I'm so happy that you all enjoyed them!
Graham Gledhill
Do exactly as recipe says and these are absolutely delicious. I did a chicken wing roulette with three wings marinaded in cayenne pepper.
What a hoot
Margaret Connell
The cayenne pepper on three roulette does sound pretty funny! I think I might borrow (steal?) your idea for Superbowl Sunday this weekend 🏈🔥😉
Debbie
This is great recipe. I made it for my family and everyone loved them. I will definitely be making these again.
Elizabeth
Thank you, really glad you enjoyed it!
Lisa
Which bbq sauce you use for this recipe?
I wanna the sauce to taste like it should lol
Elizabeth
Hi Lisa, Use a plain barbecue sauce (not honey, spicy, etc.). Any brand you prefer, I usually buy what's on sale. Hope that helps, good luck!
Donald
Fixed these they were great
Heather Jones
looks great but what are the measurements in grammes? Thank you
Elizabeth
Sorry, don't have those available. Perhaps you can find a conversion table online.
Gladys
I am writing regarding your Asian Sticky wings. I am no a big fan of soy sauce. Can the recipe be cooked w/o the soy sauce. If so what would I use in its place
Elizabeth
Hi Gladys, this recipe uses a sweet barbecue sauce, there is no soy sauce. If you mean Worcestershire sauce, then yes you can leave it out. Thanks for stopping by.
Spike Miligan
Hi Elizabeth, I've been using your sauce as a recipe for the kids during BBQ season and it's been a massive hit.
My technique is to BBQ the wings at 400 Fahrenheit over direct medium heat, with the lid closed, until browned on both sides, 10 to 15 minutes, turning once or twice.
Meanwhile I have a pan of Elizabeth's delicious sauce on the go. When its ready, I transfer to a large bowl and give everything a good mix.
Then another 15 minutes in the grill on an indirect heat. The kids absolutely love it (I make a spicier batch for the adults).
Thanks so much, I have printed this recipe out and filed it away, I will be using it for many years to come
Elizabeth
Hi,
I love grilled wings, that sounds amazing! Thanks for stopping by.
Audrey
I made these delicious wings as a part of a Sunday dinner with a salad and fried rice and they were delicious. The sauce was amazing. Will definitely be making them again
Elizabeth
Hi Audrey,
Thank you, I'm so happy that you enjoyed them!
Michelle Turner
Let me tell you! I was searching for wing recipes and came across this! Tried it out and OH MY GOODNESS!! These little wings are A-MA-ZING!! Little time consuming and messy but oh SO worth it! My family devoured them! Rather than basting the wings, I just dumped them into the bbq sauce in the saucepot....twice! They were juicy, sticky, sweet and just down right delicious! This may become a weekly meal for us!!! YYYYYUUUUUMMMMM!!!!!!!
Elizabeth
Hi Michelle. Thank you so much, I’m really glad you and your family enjoyed them!