These sweet and sticky honey garlic chicken wings are baked (or air fried) until super crispy and then tossed in a honey garlic sauce. Every finger-licking bite is sweet, sour, and so garlicky. They are simple, crave-worthy, and make the perfect small batch appetizer. You can't go wrong with a classic like this.
What is in Honey Garlic Chicken Wings?
- chicken wings - approximately 10 split wings.
- chicken marinade - soy sauce, olive oil, salt and pepper.
- honey garlic sauce - we make this classic chicken wing sauce with soy sauce, honey, water, minced garlic and cornstarch. The cornstarch thickens up the sauce.
- white sesame seeds - to sprinkle on top.
You could even leave out the honey garlic sauce and use any other sauce that you like. Or leave the wings as is, sprinkle some extra salt and pepper on top, and you've got yourself some crispy salt and pepper wings.
How to Make the Best Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
- Marinate the chicken. Place the chicken wings into a ziploc bag. Add soy sauce, olive oil, salt and pepper. Shake well. Then press the air out of the bag and seal. Press the marinade around the chicken to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, up to overnight.
- Cook the chicken. Either air fryer or bake in the oven.
- To air-fry, place the chicken wings into the air fryer basket and cook at 350 F for 20-22 minutes. Open and shake the basket halfway through to make sure they are cooked evenly.
- To bake in the oven, place chicken on a lined cooking tray and bake at 375 F (190 C) for 35 minutes. Turn the wings halfway through baking.
- Make the honey garlic sauce. Combine soy sauce, honey, water, garlic and cornstarch in a small pot. Heat over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes, stirring well to combine. The sauce will get thicker but will be smooth and uniform.
- Coat wings with sauce. Transfer the honey garlic wings to a large bowl. Pour the honey garlic sauce on top and gently toss to combine to fully coat the wings. Serve the wings on a plate and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
Tips for Making Chicken Wings
- Turn the wings halfway. Whether that means shaking the air fryer basket halfway, or turning the wings halfway when baking in the oven. This will ensure even cooking.
- How to double the recipe. If making these wings in the oven, simply double the recipe and bake the wings together in your cooking tray. If you are using an air fryer, being able to easily double the recipe will depend on the size of your air fryer basket. I would recommend cooking it in two batches if you are doubling up, as you don't want to overcrowd your air fryer. This will ensure that the wings are cooked evenly.
- How to store. These honey garlic chicken wings are best served fresh. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat them quickly air fryer, oven, or microwave.
More Chicken Wings Recipes
- Air Fryer Breaded Fried Chicken Wings
- Baked BBQ Chicken Wings
- Crispy Baked Asian Chicken Wings
- Game Day Buffalo Hot Wings
Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.
Don't forget to sign up for my email newsletter so that you don't miss any recipes. You can also follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Tiktok, and Facebook for more recipe updates.
Recipe
Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
- Total Time: 30 minutes (+1 hour to marinate)
- Yield: 1-2 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These sweet and sticky honey garlic chicken wings are baked or air fried until crispy and tossed in a honey garlic sauce. So crave-worthy and so easy to make.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. chicken wings (approximately 10 split wings)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon white sesame seeds
Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon honey
- ½ tablespoon water
- ½ tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Place the chicken wings into a sealable ziploc bag. Add soy sauce, olive oil, salt and pepper. Shake well. Then press the air out of the bag and seal. Press the marinade around the chicken to coat. Place in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 1 hour, up to overnight.
- Cook the chicken by either cooking in the air fryer or baking in the oven.
- To air fry, place the chicken wings into the air fryer basket and cook at 350 F for 20-22 minutes. Open and shake the basket halfway through to make sure they are cooked evenly.
- To bake in the oven, place chicken on a lined cooking tray and bake at 375 F (190 C) for 35 minutes. Turn the wings halfway through baking.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce by combining soy sauce, honey, water, garlic and cornstarch in a small pot. Heat over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes, stirring well to combine. The sauce will get thicker but will be smooth and uniform.
- Once the wings are cooked, allow them to cool for 5 minutes and then transfer to a large bowl. Pour the honey garlic sauce over the wings and gently toss to combine and coat the wings with the sauce.
- Serve the wings on a plate and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
Notes
Turn the wings halfway. Whether that means shaking the air fryer basket halfway, or turning the wings halfway when baking in the oven. This will ensure even cooking.
How to double the recipe. If making these wings in the oven, simply double the recipe and bake the wings together in your cooking tray. If you are using an air fryer, being able to easily double the recipe will depend on the size of your air fryer basket. I would recommend cooking it in two batches if you are doubling up, as you don't want to overcrowd your air fryer. This will ensure that the wings are cooked evenly.
How to store. These honey garlic chicken wings are best served fresh. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat them quickly air fryer, oven, or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (+ 1 hour to marinate)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Asian
Laura Brown says
LOVE this recipe! My picky eaters request "chicken wings and drumsticks" almost every week. We've tried it both baked and air fried and prefer them baked; they seem to retain more moisture that way. A favorite in our house! (And so easy!)
Christine says
Simply marvelous! Easy, tasty, sticky wings! This one is a keeper!! Thank you for sharing! 😋
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you Christine! So happy you liked the recipe.
Carolyn M Lazarony says
This recipe is a keeper! crispy and perfectly done! I added toasted sesame seeds to the sauce. So yummy!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Thanks Carolyn! I couldn't agree more! 🙂
Amanda says
I just love these wings! The sauce is so flavorful and simple to prepare, and I love the texture from the sesame seeds.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Thanks Amanda! So glad you liked the recipe. The sesame seeds really add a nice touch.
Kim @ Three Olives Branch says
I just love a good, sticky wing! Everyone always loves these and they are just perfect for game day and BBQ parties.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
So glad you liked the recipe! I have to agree, they are so perfect for game day and BBQs!