Honey-Barbecue Wings

These honey-barbecue wings will satisfy even the biggest game-day snacks enthusiast! The wings are fried until crisp, and the sweet-and-savory sauce sticks to every delicious bite.
Honey-Barbecue Chicken Wings Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Whether it’s game day or not, it’s hard to resist a batch of hot, crisp chicken wings. They’re a staple at most bars, but they’re so easy to make at home that you don’t need to run out to pick up a bucket! With so many ways to enjoy this irresistible football food, the biggest challenge is deciding which chicken wing sauce recipe to use. No worries, we’ve got you covered with these delectable honey-barbecue wings.

Start with whole chicken wings to break down yourself, or buy the wingettes and drumettes already cut and cleaned. From there, you’ll fry the wings to golden perfection, then slather them in an easy honey-barbecue sauce.

There’s no need to stick with your deep fryer, either! You can also make these wings in the oven or the air fryer (we’ll tell you how below). Try a batch for yourself, and you’ll never again believe that saucy, crispy wings can only be found at a restaurant.

Ingredients for Honey-Barbecue Wings

Chicken wings soya sauce honet flour and other ingredients on a wooden tableTMB Studio

  • Chicken wings: You can’t have chicken wing recipes without chicken wings! It’s economical to buy whole chicken wings and break them down yourself into wingettes and drumettes. Still, you can buy them already separated if you prefer (they’re often labeled “party wings”) to save yourself some work. You can use fresh or frozen wings. Just thaw any frozen wings before using them.
  • Soy sauce: This umami ingredient adds a salty, savory component to the sauce. It won’t taste like soy sauce in the end, but it will add depth and flavor to the final product. As the sauce is reduced down, the soy sauce helps it caramelize as well.
  • Honey: There are so many great ways to cook with honey. It’s essential to this wing sauce for its sweetness and viscosity. As the honey cooks down, it thickens, helping the sauce stick to the wings.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the wings

Set up a clean station for the chicken wings with a cutting board and sharp knife. Cut the wings into three sections: separate the wingette and the drumette, and discard the tip. Place the wing pieces in a bowl.

Editor’s Tip: To clean whole chicken wings, take a chicken wing, and find where the drumette and wingette come together in a V. Using your fingers, find the joint there, then use the knife to gently slice through and separate the two. If you’re right in the joint, it should be easy to cut! Next, find the joint between the wingette and the wing tip, and slice through that as well. The wing tips can be discarded or used for chicken stock.

Step 2: Make the sauce

In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, barbecue sauce and honey. Bring to a boil, and cook until the sauce is reduced to about 1 cup.

Step 3: Make the dredge

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, paprika and pepper. Add the wings a few at a time, and toss to coat in flour mixture. Give them a good shake to remove any extra flour, and set them on a clean, dry baking sheet or plate.

Step 4: Fry the wings

In an electric skillet or deep fryer, heat the oil to 375°. When the oil is ready, fry a few wings at a time, three to four minutes per side, until the meat is fully cooked and no longer pink and the skin is nice and crisp. Drain on paper towels.

Editor’s Tip: You can also fry wings in a Dutch oven with tall sides, using about 2 to 3 inches of oil. It helps to use tongs or a spider to flip the wings in the oil and remove them to paper towels. No matter how you cook your meat, get familiar with the safe temperature of fully cooked chicken, and use a thermometer to check when it’s done.

Step 5: Sauce the wings

Honey Barbecue Chicken served in a plate with glass of soda on the sideTMB Studio

Transfer the fried wings to a large bowl. Add the sauce, and toss well to coat. Serve immediately.

Honey-Barbecue Wings Variations

  • Make air-fryer honey-barbecue wings: Use this air-fryer chicken wings recipe as a guide to make these wings in the air fryer instead. The most important thing to remember is to not overcrowd the wings in the air-fryer basket, and turn them once during cooking. You may need to cook them in batches.
  • Make baked honey-barbecue wings: You can also make oven-fried chicken wings. Baking powder is the key to really crispy oven-baked chicken wings. Add the sauce after they come out of the oven.
  • Make boneless wings: For boneless chicken wings, simply cook frozen boneless wings according to the directions. Make the honey-barbecue sauce, and toss with the cooked wings.
  • Add a kick: If you like a little spice in your wings, try adding Sriracha or chili pepper to the sauce. Or use hot honey instead of regular honey for another delicious kick.

How to Store Honey-Barbecue Wings

These wings will go quickly, so you won’t have to worry about storing them for too long. But if you do have leftovers, you can store them for up to five days in the fridge. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer to crisp up.

If you want to make them ahead of time, simply fry them, and keep the sauce separate. Reheat the wings in the oven, then toss in the barbecue sauce.

Honey-Barbecue Wings Tips

Honey Barbecue Chicken Wings served in white plates on a tableTMB Studio

What can you serve with honey-barbecue wings?

Some type of creamy sauce is traditionally served with wings. A classic ranch dressing and blue cheese dressing are my preferred dipping sauce choices! To be fair, these wings are flavorful enough to enjoy all on their own. You can even serve them with extra honey-barbecue sauce if you like. Don’t forget crisp celery and carrots, too!

What appetizers go well with honey-barbecue wings?

Think of chicken wings as a centerpiece to other appetizers for game day. All the classic football snacks work well, such as guacamole, ham and Swiss sliders, and creamy artichoke spinach dip.

Watch how to Make Honey-Barbecue Chicken Wings

Honey-Barbecue Wings

These wings get loads of flavor from the slightly sweet honey-barbecue sauce they’re tossed in. They’re just the tiniest bit sticky—exactly the way they should be. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Honey-Barbecue Chicken Wings Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Cook: 10 min./batch

Makes

2 dozen

Ingredients

  • 2-1/2 pounds chicken wings
  • 1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • Oil for deep-fat frying

Directions

  1. Cut wings into 3 sections; discard wing tip sections. In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, barbecue sauce and honey. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced to about 1 cup.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, paprika and pepper. Add wings, a few at a time, and toss to coat.
  3. In an electric skillet or deep fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry wings, a few at a time, until no longer pink, 3-4 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. Transfer wings to a large bowl; add sauce and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 133 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 314mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein.