Wings
Baked Chicken Wings
This is the reliable base method for genuinely crispy oven-baked wings — no fryer, no batter, just patted-dry wings, a hot oven and a wire rack. Serve them dry-rubbed as is, or toss with your favorite sauce right before serving.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Crispy skin without any deep frying
- Simple dry rub, no special ingredients
- Versatile base for any sauce
- Great hands-off game-day appetizer
Ingredients
Full ingredient list below — check off items as you shop or cook.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C) and set a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet.
- Pat the wings extremely dry with paper towels — this is essential for crispy skin.
- In a large bowl, toss the wings with the baking powder, salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika and pepper until evenly coated.
- Arrange the wings in a single layer on the rack, leaving space between each piece.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until deeply golden and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Serve as is, or toss with your favorite sauce while still hot.
Tips for success
- Patting the wings very dry before seasoning is the single most important step for achieving crispy skin.
- A wire rack elevates the wings so air circulates fully underneath, crisping all sides evenly.
- Don't overcrowd the pan — wings need space between them to crisp rather than steam.
- This base recipe works with any sauce — buffalo, BBQ, honey garlic or lemon pepper all work well tossed on afterward.
Frequently asked questions
Why do you use baking powder on chicken wings?
Baking powder raises the pH of the skin and helps draw out surface moisture, both of which promote deep browning and crispiness in the oven, similar to deep frying.
How long do you bake chicken wings at 425°F?
About 40-45 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until deeply golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Can I use frozen wings for this recipe?
Thaw them completely first and pat very dry; frozen or wet wings release too much moisture and won't crisp properly.
What sauces work well with baked wings?
Buffalo, BBQ, honey garlic, lemon pepper, and garlic parmesan are all popular choices to toss with these once baked.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories | 328 |
| Protein | 27g |
| Carbs | 1g |
| Fat | 23g |
| Sodium | 720mg |
| Sugar | 0g |
Nutrition values are estimates and will vary based on exact ingredients and brands used.
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