With summer now just around the corner, it's time to start planning for this season's outdoor parties. There'll be great food, great drinks and even better company, but there is one very easy way to improve on last year's effort. Is it really a party if you don't serve my gorgeous Buffalo wings?
Every good party needs two things at the very least: great wings and your favorite beer. So if you want to impress your guests, check out this easy, convenient, crispy oven-baked chicken wing recipe. This is great if you don't have a deep fryer or must make large batches of wings.
Another perk of using the oven is that it's a healthier alternative. Now, just because it's healthy doesn't mean you're sacrificing flavor or that satisfying crispy chicken crunch. Here's everything you need to know to make these tasty bites for game day.
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Everything you need to make oven-baked chicken wings
An extra-large baking sheet fits a whole flock of wings and the rack elevates above the dripping fat -- or can be used for cooling.
Start with high-quality chicken wings. Jolly Barnyard's pasture-raised birds have room to move, get fresh air and eat a varied diet free of added hormones and antibiotics. The shipment of 1 to 1.5 pounds of wings arrives frozen.
How to make crispy chicken wings in the oven
1. Decide how many wings you need. Generally speaking, budgeting six to eight wings per person is wise, depending on what else is being served. A variety of sauces and dips will keep things interesting.
2. Make sure the wings are washed and patted completely dry. Preparing the wings beforehand is as important as anything to achieve crispy results, so don't skip the drying step.
3. To lock in moisture and also help the skin develop crispiness, most chefs encourage a light coating of baking powder and/or white flour. If you're trying to avoid those two ingredients, trusted food nerd Alton Brown suggests lightly steaming the wings for 10 minutes to render the fat, which naturally helps to crisp skin during cooking.
4. If you're doing a dry rub like Cajun seasoning or jerk spices, apply to the wings before cooking. Otherwise, wings are tossed in a wet sauce afterward (but never before).
5. Place the wings in a single layer on a nonstick baking sheet. Feel free to line it with aluminum foil for easy cleanup, and place the wings on a wire rack set within the pan so the fat drips down (optional).
6. Bake the wings at 350 degrees for 1 hour, turning them over halfway through. This helps the skin crisp relatively quickly without drying out the inside. Optional: A good, if slightly more caloric tip comes from Mark Bittman who suggests a little extra fat to baste the wings while they cook, still flipping them partway through. Not only do they stay moist, according to Bittman, but they get beautifully browned, too.
7. For truly crispy skin, turn the oven up to 425-450 degrees during the last 20-30 minutes of cooking. Or, broil the wings for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. If you're basting per Mark Bittman or the wings are baking in some of their own juices in a tray, you may cook them for longer without the risk of them drying out. Just look for a crispy skin to develop and don't exceed 90 minutes of total cooking time.
8. You can follow these same basic rules and processes to make frozen chicken wings crispy in the oven, too. Just make sure to pat them dry, especially well before cooking, as ice may have formed on the skin.
9. Once cooked, it's saucin' time. There are a million and one sauce (and dip) recipes to try, from classic Buffalo with blue cheese to international flavors like soy, garlic, teriyaki, ginger and even curry.
Is your summer party really a party without buffalo wings?
Fan favorite chicken wing recipes:
Crispy oven-baked Buffalo wings
This clip from RecipeTin Eats' Nagi Maehashi teases the use of a rack to drain juices for less fat and more crispiness. Get Maehashi's recipe for truly crispy oven-baked Buffalo wings.
Smoky rubbed wings with molasses
Smoky rubbed wings with molasses.
Beauty & Essex chef Chris Santos' recipe uses molasses, honey and bourbon. A smoky spice rub and a doctored barbecue sauce make his baked-then-broiled wings irresistible.
Soy-glazed wings
Soy-glazed chicken wings.
These sweet wings are great as is, but add some fresh chives, sesame, crushed red pepper or diced garlic for a multilayered sauce. Tasting Table's recipe uses rice flour to dredge the chicken, giving it the added bonus of being airy, crispy and gluten-free.
Maple-mustard barbecue wings
Maple mustard barbecue wings.
Christine Gallary's recipe is easily adapted to the oven-baked method. Just brush the wings with the sauce in the last few minutes of cooking so it caramelizes a bit but doesn't burn.
Chicken wing recipe FAQs
When should I season my chicken wings?
If you want to season your wings, apply any dry seasonings or rubs before you cook them in the oven. However, if you're using any sauces, those are going to go on after you're done cooking the wings.
How can I make sure my wings are moist and crispy?
In order to make sure the moisture is locked into your wings and they don't get dry in the oven, apply a thin coating of baking powder or white flour before you cook the chicken wings.
What is the biggest advantage of baking my wings in the oven?
Baking your wings in the oven can achieve a similarly crispy result to the deep fryer, but without drenching the meat in grease and oils. This means your wings will taste great and they'll be much healthier to eat.