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Home » Dinner Recipes » Honey Buffalo Wings

Honey Buffalo Wings

Published: Jan 18, 2025 by Louisa Clements · This post may contain affiliate links

This post may contain affiliate links

Honey buffalo wings are the perfect balance of sweet and spicy that keeps you coming back for more! These wings are seasoned with a flavorful spice mixture, baked until crisp, and then tossed in a sticky honey-buffalo glaze for the ultimate game-day snack.

This recipe was originally published in January 2017 and updated in January 2025 with new photos and an updated buffalo sauce recipe.

Buffalo wings in a black baking dish with celery, green onions, and dip.
Jump to Recipe
45 minutes minutes 4 Comments

Chicken wings are a game-day must in my house, and these honey buffalo wings are always a hit. Inspired by my other favorite, baked buffalo chicken drumsticks, this oven-baked method is not only super easy, but it gives you perfectly crispy wings—no air fryer needed! Pair them with veggie-loaded nachos for the ultimate party spread.

Jump to:
  • 📋 Ingredients you’ll need
  • The secret ingredient for crispy oven-baked wings
  • 🔪 Cooking instructions
  • 📖 Flavor variations for the sauce
  • 💭 Cooking tips

📋 Ingredients you’ll need

This recipe starts with a simple spice rub of garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne for a flavorful kick. Baking powder is the key to achieving that crispy, golden skin in the oven. Toss it all in a glossy sauce made with Frank’s hot sauce, salted butter, and honey for a spicy, tangy, and sweet balance.

Labeled ingredients for chicken wings on a wooden board.
  • Chicken wings, of course, are the star of the show. I prefer pre-split wings for convenience. Often, whole chicken wings are cheaper, so you can always split them yourself and be sure to trim off the tips to prevent burning.
  • Baking powder is the secret ingredient for crispy wings in the oven.
  • Spice rub: A simple yet flavorful spice rub mixes garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. The cayenne adds just a touch of heat—you can adjust the amount to suit your preference. Use a pinch for mild wings or add more for a hot wing-style kick.
  • Honey buffalo sauce: Made with honey, Frank’s hot sauce, and butter for the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy. Cooking the sauce on the stovetop thickens it to a glossy, silky finish that clings to the wings.

The secret ingredient for crispy oven-baked wings

Let’s talk about the key ingredient for perfectly crispy wings. I’ve tried almost every method—cornstarch, air fryers, you name it. While the air fryer does a great job, it’s not ideal for feeding a crowd.

That’s where baking powder comes in. It might sound surprising, but baking powder draws moisture from the skin of the wings, creating the blistering crunch we all love in deep-fried wings, no frying required.

🔪 Cooking instructions

Spices sprinkled on top of raw chicken wings in a glass bowl.

Preheat your oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top. Grease wire rack with canola oil.

Wings tossed in spice rub in a glass bowl with a pair of tongs.

Toss wings with baking powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne in a large bowl until evenly coated.

Chicken wings on a wire rack on a baking sheet before going into the oven.

Arrange wings on the wire rack in a single layer, ensuring they aren’t touching. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until golden and crispy.

Honey, hot sauce and butter in a pot.

 Prepare the honey-buffalo sauce. In a small pot over medium-low heat, bring Frank’s hot sauce, honey, and butter to a boil, stirring constantly to avoid burning.

Sauce in a pot being stirred with a wooden spatula.

Cook and stir for another 2-3 minutes or until the sauce has thickened slightly.

Wings after baking on a wire rack.

Once the wings are baked, allow them to cool for 5-10 minutes (this will make them release more easily from the wire rack).

Cooked wings in a stainless steel bowl with honey buffalo sauce poured on top.

Transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the sauce over the wings and toss to coat evenly.

Wings tossed and coated in the honey buffalo in a stainless steel bowl.

Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce and celery sticks for a classic pairing.

📖 Flavor variations for the sauce

Here are some ingredient substitutions you can try to change up the flavor of the sauce.

  • Use maple syrup instead of honey, giving the wings a similar sweetness with a more earthy, caramel-like flavor.
  • Sriracha for Frank’s hot sauce: Adds a different type of heat with a touch of garlic flavor.
Closeup of wings on a cast iron platter with green onions sprinkled on top with celery and dip.

💭 Cooking tips

  1. Use a wire rack: Place the wings on a wire rack over a foil-lined baking sheet. The rack allows air to circulate for even crisping without flipping, while the foil makes cleanup a breeze.
  2. Grease wire rack well: A wire rack helps wings get crispy, but the skin can stick if it’s not properly oiled. Use a pastry brush dipped in canola or any neutral oil to thoroughly coat the rack, making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies.
  3. Let the wings cool: Allow the wings to rest for 5-10 minutes to release more easily from the wire rack.
  4. Serve immediately: After you toss the wings in the sauce, serve them immediately. If you let them sit in the sauce, they will start to become soggy.
Closeup of chicken wings in a cast iron platter with celery and dip, with sliced green onions sprinkled on top.

Honey Buffalo Wings

Author: Louisa Clements
5 from 1 vote
Honey buffalo wings are the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, seasoned with a flavorful spice mixture, baked until crisp, and then tossed in a sticky honey-buffalo glaze.
Pin Print
Prep: 10 minutes minutes
Cook: 35 minutes minutes
Total: 45 minutes minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 2.5 lbs chicken wings
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 2 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, more or less to taste

Honey Buffalo Sauce

  • ⅓ cup Frank’s hot sauce
  • 2 tablespoon honey
  • 2 tablespoon butter

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top. Grease wire rack with canola oil
  • IIn a large bowl, toss wings with baking powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder and cayenne until evenly coated.
  • Arrange wings on the wire rack in a single layer, ensuring they aren’t touching. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until golden and crispy.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the honey-buffalo sauce. In a small pot over medium-low heat, bring Frank's hot sauce, honey, and butter to a boil, stirring constantly to avoid burning. Cook and stir for another 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly (the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools).
  • Once the wings are baked, allow them to cool for 5-10 minutes (this will make them release more easily from the wire rack) and transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the sauce over the wings and toss to coat evenly.
  • Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce and celery sticks for a classic pairing.

Notes

  1. Make sure to grease wire rack well, making it easier for the wings to release after cooking. 
  2. I don’t like my wings to be overly saucy! You can always double the sauce if you want a higher sauce-to-wing ratio. 
Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment + rating and let me know what you think!
Filed Under: Appetizer, chicken, Dinner Recipes, Fall, meat, Winter
Nutrition Facts
Honey Buffalo Wings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 460 Calories from Fat 306
% Daily Value*
Fat 34g52%
Saturated Fat 11g69%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 6g
Monounsaturated Fat 13g
Cholesterol 133mg44%
Sodium 1989mg86%
Potassium 270mg8%
Carbohydrates 11g4%
Fiber 0.3g1%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 28g56%
Vitamin A 698IU14%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 376mg38%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is an estimate and is provided for informational purposes only. If you have any specific dietary concerns, please consult with your healthcare practitioner.
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5 from 1 vote

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Comments

  1. Lou

    February 02, 2025 at 8:21 pm

    These are delicious!

    5 stars

    Reply
    • Louisa Clements

      February 07, 2025 at 11:58 am

      They are the best!!
      Reply
  2. Shirley Clements

    May 31, 2020 at 4:28 pm

    These chicken wings are soooo yummy! Must make them this week!
    ★★★★★
    Reply

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Hi, I'm Louisa Clements & welcome to Living Lou. I've been creating simple, fresh & flavorful recipes for the modern kitchen for 14 years.
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