Description
These Baked Chicken Wings are crispy, flavorful, and perfect for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or main dish. Coated with a delicious blend of brown sugar, paprika, and spices, they bake up golden and tender without the need for frying, making them a healthier alternative to traditional fried wings.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Wings
- 2 pounds chicken wingettes (or wingettes and drumettes; defrosted if frozen)
Seasoning and Coating
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, substitute with more regular ground paprika if omitted)
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
Other
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a large sheet pan with foil, then place an oven-safe wire rack on top of the foil. Thoroughly coat the wire rack with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken wingettes very dry using paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps achieve crispy skin during baking.
- Oil Chicken: Place the wings in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil and toss well to evenly coat each wing, which helps the seasoning stick and promotes browning.
- Season: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, ground paprika, smoked paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper (if using). Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly over the wings. Toss carefully to coat all the wings thoroughly in the spice blend.
- Bake: Arrange the seasoned chicken wings in a single layer on the prepared wire rack. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the wings are crispy, golden brown, and cooked through. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Using a wire rack elevates the wings, allowing air to circulate and the heat to crisp them evenly.
- Patting the wings dry is key to achieving crispy skin.
- If you don’t have smoked paprika, simply increase the amount of regular paprika.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity based on your preferred spice level or omit for a milder flavor.
- Serve these wings with your favorite dipping sauces or a side of celery and carrot sticks for a classic pairing.
