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Why You’ll Love My Recipe
Buffalo wings may get all the attention, but there’s so much more to love in the world of chicken wings – and these Honey BBQ Wings deserve a spot at the top of the list! Sweet, sticky, and smoky, they prove that you don’t need takeout or a trip to your favorite pub to enjoy crave-worthy wings. With this easy recipe, you can make Honey BBQ wings at home for a fraction of the cost!
Looking for something to serve with your wings? A batch of homemade Air Fryer French Fries makes the perfect crispy pairing. And if you’re in the mood to try another wing flavor, don’t miss my zesty Lemon Pepper Wings!
Karlynn’s Recipe Notes
- Skill Level: These wings do require some deep frying, but they’re surprisingly easy to make. Even beginners can tackle this recipe with confidence!
- Total Time: You can have hot, saucy Honey BBQ wings ready in just 25 minutes.
- Variations: Add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika to your barbecue sauce for a bit of heat, or stir a splash of apple cider vinegar for extra tang. Serve these wings with my Creamy Three Cheese Skillet Mac and Cheese, Homemade Baked Beans or Classic Coleslaw Recipe. Don’t forget Homemade Ranch Dressing for a classic BBQ spread!
- Tools For This Recipe: You will need a small saucepan for the sauce, a whisk or spoon for stirring, a large bowl for tossing the wings, a candy or deep-fry thermometer, and either a deep, heavy-bottomed skillet or a deep fryer for cooking. Tongs are also helpful for safely removing wings from the oil!
What You’ll Need for Ingredients
Chicken Wings: Classic bone-in chicken wings are the best choice for this recipe. Remove the wing tips for even cooking and easy eating! Karlynn’s Tip: Pat the wings dry before coating to help the flour stick and fry up evenly.
Barbecue Sauce: A traditional, tomato-forward barbecue sauce works beautifully! Look for one that’s rich, slightly sweet, and deep brown in color. The brand choice is totally up to you, but stick with a traditional BBQ style that has plenty of tomato, sugar, and savory depth.
Honey: Honey adds a touch of natural sweetness that balances perfectly with the barbecue sauce and soy sauce mixture, giving the wings that signature sticky, saucy finish.
All-Purpose Flour: Flour creates the base coating that helps the wings fry up golden and crisp. Season the flour with salt, pepper, and paprika for extra flavor from the first bite!
Oil: You’ll need oil suitable for deep frying to cook the chicken wings evenly and safely. Karlynn’s Tip: Use a neutral, high smoke-point oil like canola, vegetable, or avocado oil for the best results.
How To Make Honey BBQ Wings
This is a quick overview of the recipe. The full list of ingredients & complete step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card below.
- In a small saucepan, combine the sauce ingredients. Bring to a boil and cook until the sauce has thickened. Set aside.
- Combine the flour, salt, paprika and pepper in a large bowl. Add a few wings at a time, and toss to coat.
- Heat the oil to 375°F in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed skillet.
- Fry the wings, a few at a time, until they are golden brown and cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160°F, about 4-5 minutes per side.
- Remove the wings from the oil with tongs and place them on paper towels. Transfer the hot wings to a large bowl, add the sauce, and toss to coat them completely.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Karlynn’s Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Honey BBQ Wings
- Choose a Classic BBQ Sauce: There are many regional styles of barbecue sauce (from mustard-based to mayonnaise-based sauces), and each has its place. For this recipe, though, a rich, brown, tomato-forward BBQ sauce works best. The natural sugars caramelize as the wings cook, creating a sweet, sticky glaze that clings beautifully to the chicken!
- Keep Your Oil at the Right Temperature: Frying chicken wings is easier than it seems, but controlling the temperature is key. If the oil is too hot, the coating can burn before the meat is cooked through. Chicken wings contain a lot of collagen and connective tissue, which need slightly gentler heat to become tender. Keep your oil at 375°F using a candy or deep-fry thermometer to ensure the wings cook evenly, stay juicy inside, and turn golden on the outside without scorching.
- Toss the Wings Aggressively in the Sauce: The final step makes all the difference! Use a large, deep bowl and pour the sauce into the bottom first, then add the hot wings on top. Toss or shake the bowl vigorously. That way, the sauce coats every wing in an even, glossy layer. Don’t be shy here – the better the toss, the better the coverage!
Storage Instructions
If you happen to have leftovers, these Honey BBQ Wings keep well and make an easy next-day meal or snack!
Refrigerator: Allow the wings to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to warm them through and restore a bit of that sticky exterior.
Freezer: Once cooled, place the wings in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag and freeze for up to 4 months following the USDA food safety guidelines.
More Delicious Chicken Wing Recipes
Can’t get enough chicken wings? These Appetizer recipe favorites are worth trying next:
- My Classic Buffalo Wings are made with Frank’s RedHot for that signature tangy heat!
- Sticky Teriyaki Chicken Wings coated in a sweet and savory glaze are always a crowd favorite.
- These Grilled Chicken Wings are perfect for game day or effortless entertaining!
And that’s it, folks! These Honey BBQ Wings are sweet, sticky, and packed with classic barbecue goodness – perfect for wing night, parties, or anytime a chicken craving hits.
Make a batch, grab plenty of napkins, and don’t forget to leave a comment sharing how your wings turned out! Reading about your kitchen adventures always makes my day.
Happy Cooking!
Karlynn
Honey BBQ Wings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings, wing tips removed
Honey BBQ Sauce
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
Flour Coating
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Oil , for deep-fat frying
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, barbecue sauce and honey. Bring to a boil; cook until the sauce has thickened. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, paprika and pepper. Add the wings, a few at a time, and toss to coat.
- In a deep heavy bottomed skillet or deep fryer, heat oil to 375°.
- Fry the wings, a few at a time not crowding them in the pan, until they are golden brown, no longer pink inside and cooked completely, about 4-5 minutes on each side. (the time needed to cook depends on the size of the wings of course)
- Remove the wings from the oil with tongs and place the wings on paper towels to drain. Transfer the still hot wings to a large bowl; add the sauce and toss to coat the wings completely.
- Serve hot.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Eileen says
Always find tasty recipes here. Thanks very much.
Ellen Taylor says
Question rather than comment
Could these be baked instead of deep fried, and if so temperature and approximate time.
Thank you
Karlynn Johnston says
You can, just bake at 425, then when they are almost done add the sauce and bake until done. You don’t want the sauce to burn, so add it in later!