Hot Wings

Hot wings are perfectly crispy outside with  juicy tender meat on the inside. These wings pack the perfect flavor punch! 

Pair these wings with ranch or buffalo sauce and some carrot and celery spears to quench the spice and round out the dish! For more tasty appetizer snacks try Sticky Asian Meatballs, Artichoke Dip, and Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms.

Hot wings in a serving dish with celery sticks and ranch

Chicken Wings with a Kick

Chicken wings are a family favorite when it comes to appetizers. They need to be perfectly crisp and covered in tasty sauce. These hot wings sure deliver!

These lip smacking crispy wings are delicious with a bit of a spicy kick. You will not believe how easy it is to get restaurant style hot wings in your home. And trust me, they taste even better.

They’re perfect for the pre-game party or feeding the hoards of friends your kids bring over. Time to be the queen of the munchies!!

How to make hot wings by coating them in a ziploc bag

Ingredient Tips

Hot and sweet? If you need more sweetness in your sauce try adding some honey, start with about a ¼ cup.

Using frozen chicken wings? You are going to have to increase the cook time, probably double it! Make sure that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

How to make them less spicy? Use a less spicy hot sauce, add more butter, or reduce the amount of cayenne pepper.

Best oil? Canola oil is the most recommended oil because it has a neutral flavor and not as low of a smoke-point as other oils.

Frying hot wings in oil

How to Make Hot Wings

COAT. Add the flour, paprika, cayenne, salt, and garlic powder to a large zipper bag. Add the wings and toss to coat evenly with the flour mixture. Refrigerate until ready to cook.

HEAT. Add the oil to a heavy bottomed pot, to a depth of about one inch. Heat the oil over medium heat to 375 degrees.

FRY. Fry the wings in the hot oil for 10-15 minutes, until golden brown and at least 165 degrees. Drain on paper towels, then move to a medium bowl.

SAUCE & COAT. To make, the sauce, add the butter, hot sauce, pepper, and garlic powder to a small saucepan. Heat the sauce over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the butter is melted and the sauce is smooth. Pour the sauce over the wings and toss to coat. Serve hot.

Keep warm: You can keep wings warm in the oven for up to 30 minutes. After frying them transfer them to a cookie sheet with a cooling rack on top of them. Place this tray in the oven at 350 for 30 minutes or less, if you let them go for long they will start to dry out.

Make it a meal by serving your wings with some sides, like:

Alternate Cooking Methods

Oven: We prefer frying them because that method gives the best texture. If you want to bake them follow our oven baked firecracker wings recipe.

Air-fryer: Spray your air fryer with non-stick spray and then line your airfryer with the wings, without letting them touch! Cook them for 12 minutes at 360 degrees.

Coating wings in hot wing sauce

Storage Tips

Make ahead? Make the sauce and toss your wings in it ahead of time. You can leave them marinating for 2 days in the fridge.

Keep leftover wings STORED in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. REHEAT your leftover wings in the oven at 350, on a foil-lined sheet, and bake for 15 minutes until warmed through.

To FREEZE leftovers, keep chicken wings in a freezer safe container in the freezer for 3-4 months.

Homemade hot wings served with celery on the side

For more favorite appetizers, try:

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Hot wings on a serving plate.

Hot Wings Recipe

Discover the joy of Hot Wings – crispy wings giving way to juicy and flavorful bites, creating a delicious mouth-watering experience!
4.78 from 9 votes
Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 151kcal
Author: Andrea
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Ingredients

for the wings:

  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1-2 pounds chicken wings
  • Oil for deep frying

for the sauce:

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup hot sauce - like Frank’s red hot
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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Instructions

  • Add the flour, paprika, cayenne, salt, and garlic powder to a large zipper bag. Add the wings and toss to coat evenly with the flour mixture. Refrigerate until ready to cook.
  • Add the oil to a heavy-bottomed pot, to a depth of about one inch. Heat the oil over medium heat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
  • Fry the wings in the hot oil for 10-15 minutes, until golden brown and at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). Drain on paper towels, then move to a medium bowl.
  • To make the sauce, add the butter, hot sauce, pepper, and garlic powder to a small saucepan. Heat the sauce over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the butter is melted and the sauce is smooth. Pour the sauce over the wings and toss to coat. Serve hot.

VIDEO

NOTES

STORE cooked hot wings in an airtight container in the fridge; they'll stay good for up to 3 days. To FREEZE, put the wings in a freezer-safe bag or container, and you can store them for up to 2 months.
To REHEAT, thaw if frozen, then warm in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. This method helps retain their crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make them soggy.

Nutrition

Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 557mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 292IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

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Comments:

  1. 5 stars
    Awesome recipes . I love the fact that something that can be made simple from something that would take longer to prepare

  2. 5 stars
    These were so delicious and crispy, I loved the heat!! I served them with homemade fries and they were gone so super quick.

  3. 5 stars
    These wings were so tender and flavorful. And I dialed back the heat a bit by cutting the spice quantity in half. SO SO good!