Want the perfect combination of sweet heat in a savory and crispy appetizer? Then you’ll love these hot honey wings, made easily in your air fryer! They come out juicy and crisp, with the perfect hot honey wing sauce as a finishing touch. Great for game day, parties, and more!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Hot honey wings hit that perfect sweet-heat balance that’s hard to resist. You get crispy, savory wings coated in sticky honey with just enough spice to keep things exciting, making them wildly addictive after the first bite!
They’re great for all sorts of occasions too, from game day spreads to casual dinners, or party appetizers that disappear fast. Plus, the flavor combo feels bold and modern without being complicated, so they’re impressive but still totally crowd-pleasing.
These delicious wings are naturally gluten free as well, so they work for different dietary needs without even trying, and still pack in the flavor.
I prefer to make mine in the air fryer, since it’s the best at delivering crispy wings to serve as a vessel for all that delicious sauce, and it’s faster than the oven and less messy than deep frying too!
Quick + Easy Recipes
straight to your inbox
Ingredients List
- 1 ½ pounds fresh (or defrosted frozen) chicken wings (split into flats and drums)
- 1 tsp baking powder (optional, but makes for crispier wings)
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ cup hot honey (such as Mike’s hot honey)
- ¼ cup buffalo wing sauce (such as Frank’s)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Instead of baking powder, you can use equal parts cornstarch and baking soda Alternatively, skip altogether and toss wings with 1 Tbsp olive oil (or similar) along with the seasonings
- All seasonings are adjustable to taste. You can add other options too, like onion powder, Old Bay or Cajun seasoning, or add more heat with cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes
- The hot honey can be made at home (if you don’t buy a premade like Mike’s) by combining ¼ cup regular honey with 1-2 Tbsp sriracha or hot sauce (plus 1 tsp red pepper flakes for extra heat)
- If you don’t have buffalo wing sauce, you just want a 50/50 mix of hot sauce and melted butter
- Optional serving suggestions: celery and carrot sticks, plus bleu cheese or ranch dressing for dipping. You could also make hot honey ranch to stay on theme! See my Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes for my homemade hot honey ranch sauce recipe
Step By Step Instructions
- Pat wings dry with a paper towel, then toss in a bowl with the baking powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika
- Add the seasoned wings to your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer (cook in batches if needed, as overcrowding can lead to wet spots)
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 10 minutes, then flip and cook an additional 10-15 minutes (depending on specific wing size), until the center near but not touching the bone reaches 165°F. For crispier wings, add 5 more minutes even after they reach the needed temperature!
- While the wings are cooking, mix the hot honey and buffalo wing sauce together in a bowl (I use a large bowl that’s big enough for tossing the wings in). You can baste the wings with half the sauce during the last 3 minutes of cooking if you like them extra caramelized – I find that the honey will start to smoke after more than 3 minutes
- Toss the cooked wings with the sauce and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Drinks
- Crisp Lager Or Pilsner – Clean, bubbly beers cut through the sticky sweetness and tame the heat without overpowering the wings
- Citrus-Forward IPA – The bitterness balances the honey while citrus notes play nicely with the spice
- Bourbon Or Whiskey Cocktails – Caramel and vanilla notes echo the honey while standing up to bold flavors (an Old Fashioned or Whiskey Sour works especially well). Try my Hot Honey Old Fashioned to double down on flavor!
- Sparkling Lemonade Or Iced Tea – Bright acidity refreshes the palate between bites if you want a non-alcoholic option, or try some of my Ciroc Limonata Cocktails for a citrusy and boozy option!
Side Dishes
- Creamy Coleslaw – Cool, crunchy, and slightly tangy, it helps mellow the heat and adds texture contrast
- Cornbread Or Honey Corn Muffins – Lean into the sweet side of the wings while keeping things comforting and Southern-inspired! My Air Fryer Pillsbury Cornbread Swirls are a quick and easy option!
- Roasted Or Air Fryer Potatoes – Crispy potatoes soak up extra sauce and keep the meal hearty without competing flavors. Try some Bang Bang Potatoes to keep the sweet heat theme!
- Simple Salad With Citrus Vinaigrette – Light and fresh, it balances the richness of the wings
Dips & Sauces
- Ranch Or Blue Cheese – A classic cooling contrast that helps dial back the spice!
- Garlic Aioli – Adds savory richness without overwhelming the honey heat
- Greek Yogurt Dip With Lemon – Tangy and creamy, but lighter than traditional dressings!
Desserts
- Vanilla Ice Cream Or Cheesecake – Cool, creamy desserts calm the heat and reset your palate!
- Fruit-Forward Desserts (Citrus, Berries, Or Apples) – Bright flavors keep things from feeling too heavy after spicy wings
- Chocolate Desserts With Sea Salt – Sweet and slightly bitter notes complement the honey while salt ties everything together!
Recipe FAQs
Is Hot Honey Good On Wings?
Yes, hot honey is excellent on wings because it balances sweet, spicy, and savory flavors in one sauce. The sweetness caramelizes beautifully while the heat adds just enough kick without overwhelming the chicken.
What Is Hot Honey Sauce Made Of?
Hot honey sauce is typically made from honey infused with chili peppers or chili flakes, sometimes with vinegar or hot sauce added for balance. The result is a sweet heat that’s smooth, glossy, and perfect for coating wings.
Is Hot Honey Actually Spicy?
Hot honey is usually mildly to moderately spicy rather than intensely hot. The heat builds gently and complements the sweetness, making it approachable even for people who don’t love super-spicy foods.
Tips For the Best Hot Honey Wings
- You can better control the heat of the wings based on using a mild, medium, or hot wing sauce in combination with the hot honey in the sauce
- These wings scale easily for a crowd, but depending on the size of your air fryer, you’ll want to cook in batches to get the best crisping
- After saucing, the wings will start to lose crispiness, so they’re best enjoyed immediately. You can always air fry them for a few minutes to crisp them back up if needed!
Storage and Reheating
Storage Tips
- Store leftover hot honey wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Let wings cool completely before storing to avoid excess moisture buildup
- Keep extra hot honey sauce separate if possible to prevent the wings from getting soggy
Reheating Tips
- Reheat wings in the air fryer or oven at 375°F until heated through and crispy, about 5–8 minutes (but it can vary by exact size)
- Avoid the microwave if you want to keep the skin crisp; it works in a pinch but softens the wings
- Warm the hot honey sauce separately and brush or drizzle it on after reheating for the best texture
More Air Fryer Wing Recipes
- Air Fryer Honey Garlic Wings
- Trader Joe’s Hot and Spicy Wings
Final Thoughts
The air fryer makes a perfect crispy hot honey chicken wing that’s sure to be a hit as a party appetizer, game day snack, or anytime you want a sweet, spicy, and savory bite! They’re just the right combo of messy and delicious!
I love making this air-fried version because the wings get nice and crispy (and honestly you can even overcook them a little for extra crunch and they’ll still be juice inside). They’re always a crowd favorite when I serve them up for the Super Bowl!
The spicy hot honey sauce is the perfect finishing touch, and you can absolutely customize your heat level with different wing sauce bases if you have anyone averse to some heat (but they’re really not that spicy overall).
Plus, the wings are also naturally gluten-free, so they work for a variety of different diets without even trying. Yum!
Hot Honey Wings (Air Fryer)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds fresh (or defrosted frozen) chicken wings (split into flats and drums)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ cup hot honey (such as Mike’s hot honey)
- ¼ cup buffalo wing sauce (such as Frank’s)
Instructions
- Pat your wings dry, then toss in a bowl with the baking powder and seasonings1 ½ pounds fresh (or defrosted frozen) chicken wings, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp paprika
- Add the seasoned wings to your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer (cook in batches if needed, as overcrowding can lead to wet spots)
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 10 minutes, then flip and cook an additional 10-15 minutes (depending on specific wing size), until the center near but not touching the bone reaches 165°F. For more crispy wings, add 5 more minutes (or more as desired) even after they reach the needed temperature!
- While the wings are cooking, mix the sauce ingredients together in a bowl (I use a bowl big enough for tossing the wings in). You can baste the wings with half the sauce during the last 3 minutes of cooking if you like them extra caramelized – I find that the honey will start to smoke after more than 3 minutes¼ cup hot honey, ¼ cup buffalo wing sauce
- Toss the cooked wings with the sauce and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce (like hot honey ranch). Enjoy!
Notes
- Instead of baking powder, you can use equal parts cornstarch and baking soda. Alternatively, skip altogether and toss wings with 1 Tbsp olive oil (or similar) along with the seasonings
- All seasonings are adjustable to taste. You can add other options too, like onion powder, Old Bay or Cajun seasoning, or add more heat with cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes
- The hot honey can be made at home (if you don’t buy a premade like Mike’s) by combining ¼ cup regular honey with 1-2 Tbsp sriracha or hot sauce (plus 1 tsp red pepper flakes for extra heat if you like)
- If you don’t have buffalo wing sauce, you just want a 50/50 mix of your favorite hot sauce and melted butter
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand, size, and flavor of ingredients, sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
