Honey Garlic Glazed Oven Baked Chicken Wings

Honey Garlic Glazed Chicken Wings are a tasty and quick main dish, a typical American recipe. Perfect for a tasty family dinner, they are also great to be nibbled as a delicious finger food during a brunch or a backyard barbecue with friends, along with a good craft beer.

In our preparation, the chicken wings are seasoned with a marinade made of sweet paprika, nutmeg, salt, pepper and a crushed garlic clove, then left in the refrigerator for two hours to let them absorb the flavour. After the necessary time, they are baked at 392°F/200°C for about 30 minutes, then caramelized at the end of cooking with honey and barbecue sauce until golden.

The result will be fragrant and succulent morsels, made delicious by the glaze, to be eaten strictly with your hands.

What Are Honey Garlic Chicken Wings?

Honey glazed chicken wings, now a staple in American comfort food culture, have roots that trace back to both global and local culinary traditions. While the idea of combining sweet ingredients like honey with meat has existed for centuries in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines, the modern version of honey glazed wings gained popularity in the United States during the late 20th century.

Initially influenced by Chinese-American dishes such as honey garlic chicken, the sweet-and-savory profile found a perfect match in chicken wings—especially as sports bars and game-day snacks soared in popularity. By the 1980s and 90s, honey-glazed and honey barbecue wings became common on menus across the country, celebrated for their sticky texture, balanced flavor, and easy finger-food appeal.

Pro Tips for The Best Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

• Pat the wings completely dry with paper towels before seasoning. This helps them brown and crisp up better in the pan.
• Letting the wings rest briefly with salt and pepper helps the flavors penetrate. For even better flavor, marinate for 30 minutes to an hour if you have time.
• If you like, you can also add a pinch of chili powder, to give the dish a pleasant spicy note, and replace the nutmeg with cumin powder.
• In addition to wings, you can also use chicken thighs: this way, your guests can choose the piece they prefer.

   

• Barbecue sauce can be purchased ready-made or you can make it at home, even in advance, keeping it in the refrigerator until you use it.

When Should I Put Honey on Chicken Wings?

You should add the honey toward the end of cooking your chicken wings, once they’re already browned and nearly cooked through. This timing prevents the honey from burning, as it has a high sugar content. Let it simmer gently with the wings for a few minutes to create a glossy, sticky glaze that clings perfectly to the skin without turning bitter or overly dark.

Can I Add Other Spices to the Marinade?

Yes, you can definitely add other spices to the chicken marinade to enhance flavor. Ingredients like garlic powder, chili flakes, cumin, or ginger pair wonderfully with the honey glaze and give the wings more depth. Just be mindful not to overpower the natural sweetness of the honey—start with small amounts and adjust to your taste for a balanced, delicious result.

Can I Air Fry These?

Yes, you can absolutely air fry honey glazed chicken wings! To do so, preheat your air fryer to 190°C (375°F) and cook the wings for about 20–25 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Cook them plain first, then toss them in the honey glaze after they’re crispy. Return them to the air fryer for a final 2–3 minutes to caramelize the glaze without burning it. This method gives you crispy, sticky wings with less oil and faster cleanup.

What Can I Serve These With?

You can accompany them with a portion of baked potatoes, a mixed salad or a pan of seasonal vegetables, and also combine them with other sauces, such as ketchup, mayonnaise or yogurt dressing: they will be ideal to enjoy on the sofa, in front of a film or during a game day.

Can I Make These Chicken Wings Ahead of Time?

Yes, honey glazed chicken wings can be made ahead of time. You can cook them fully, let them cool, and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, reheat them in a hot oven or air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for about 10–12 minutes to regain their crispiness and re-glaze slightly. You can also prepare the sauce in advance and store it separately to toss with freshly reheated wings for an even fresher finish.

Do They Freeze Well?

Yes, honey glazed chicken wings freeze quite well! After cooking, let them cool completely, then arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash-freeze. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months.

To reheat, bake or air fry them directly from frozen at 180°C (350°F) for 15–20 minutes until heated through and the glaze is bubbly. For best texture, avoid microwaving, which can make the skin soggy.

How to Store Any Leftovers

To store leftover honey glazed chicken wings, let them cool to room temperature first, then place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3–4 days.

For reheating, use an oven or air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes to restore their crispness and reactivate the glaze. Avoid leaving them out for more than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth.

How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

Mix the sweet paprika, nutmeg, salt and pepper in a small bowl.

Pour the seasoning mix over the chicken wings placed in a bowl.

Peel the garlic, crush it and remove the core, then add it to the chicken.

Spread the marinade well on the wings to flavor them better and let them rest in the fridge for about 2 hours, covered with a sheet of cling film.

Just before cooking the wings, preheat the oven to 392°F/200°C in static mode. Once the marinating time has elapsed, place the chicken wings on a baking tray, lined with baking paper.

Cook at 392°F/200°C for 30 minutes, turning them halfway through cooking.

Meanwhile, combine the honey and barbecue sauce in a small bowl.

Brush the chicken wings with plenty of honey sauce.

Bake the wings for another 5 minutes or until they are golden brown and succulent; once ready, take them out of the oven, transfer them to serving plates and garnish with chopped parsley and sesame seeds.

Enjoy!