I absolutely love this Bang Bang Chicken Wings Recipe because it hits all the right notes—crispy, spicy, sweet, and creamy all at once. When I first tried making these wings at home, I was amazed at how the baking powder trick made the skin extra crispy without frying, which means you can enjoy that perfect crunch without the mess or guilt of deep-frying.
You’ll find that this recipe is perfect for game days, casual dinners, or any time you want to impress friends with a flavorful appetizer. The bang bang sauce is just the right balance of heat and sweetness, and the wings turn out beautifully golden every single time. Trust me, once you nail this Bang Bang Chicken Wings Recipe, it’ll become a staple in your kitchen rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy Skin Without Frying: Baking powder in the coating guarantees wings with super crispy skin that’s easy to achieve.
- Balanced Bang Bang Sauce: The combo of sweet chili sauce, honey, and sriracha creates that perfect sweet-heat harmony.
- Make Ahead Convenience: Drying the wings in the fridge overnight locks in the crispiness, saving you time on the day you serve.
- Family-Friendly Favorite: Even picky eaters in my family can’t get enough of these wings!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together beautifully to create wings that are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and explosively flavorful with the sauce. Plus, I’ll share tips on picking the best wings and easy sauce adjustments.
- Chicken Wings: I like a mix of drumettes and flats for variety and the perfect bite-sized pieces.
- Baking Powder (Aluminium-Free): This is the secret to crispy skin—make sure it’s aluminium-free to avoid any off flavors.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning; helps the skin dry for extra crunch.
- Black Pepper: Adds a subtle spicy kick to the wings before cooking.
- Paprika: For a hint of smokiness and beautiful color.
- Mayonnaise: Creates a creamy base for the bang bang sauce that clings perfectly to the wings.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: The key sweet-spicy flavor in the sauce—look for a good-quality one with balanced heat.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness and a glossy finish to the sauce.
- Sriracha Hot Sauce: Customize the heat level here; start with one teaspoon and add more if you like it fiery.
- A Pinch of Salt: For fine-tuning the sauce flavor to your taste.
Variations
I love how flexible this Bang Bang Chicken Wings Recipe is—feel free to tweak it depending on your mood or dietary needs. Here’s how I’ve played around with it:
- Mild Version: I’ve cut back on the sriracha and added extra honey when serving to kids or spice-sensitive guests—still packed with flavor but gentle on the palate.
- Extra Crispy: For crunch lovers, I sometimes finish the wings under the broiler for a couple of minutes—watch closely so they don’t burn!
- Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free if you double-check the sweet chili sauce ingredients, making it great for gluten-sensitive friends.
- Air Fryer Friendly: If you have an air fryer, cook the wings there for an even quicker prep time—around 25 minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway through.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Wings Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Dry Your Wings
Start by patting your chicken wings bone dry with paper towels. This is crucial because it helps the skin crisp up beautifully. Then toss the wings with baking powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika—this mix not only seasons but also creates that irresistible crispy crust.
Step 2: Refrigerate to Dry Out the Skin
Place your wings on a wire rack over a baking sheet, uncovered, in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours. This step might seem like extra work, but here’s what I learned—it dries out the skin, making it ultra-crispy when baked. I like to prep this the night before and bake just before serving.
Step 3: Roast Your Wings to Golden Crispy Perfection
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and roast the wings straight from the fridge. In about 30 minutes, you’ll have wings that are gorgeously golden and crispy. I always check that the internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C) to ensure they’re cooked safely while still juicy inside.
Step 4: Whisk Up the Bang Bang Sauce
While the wings roast, mix together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, honey, sriracha, and a pinch of salt. This sauce is where the magic happens. Adjust the sriracha for your preferred heat level. I like to give it a quick taste and tweak before tossing.
Step 5: Toss and Serve
As soon as your wings are out of the oven, transfer them to a big bowl, drizzle with the bang bang sauce, and toss until every wing is coated. Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast of crispy skin and creamy sauce. You’ll want to serve these fresh—they don’t hold up as well once sauced and cooled.
Pro Tips for Making Bang Bang Chicken Wings Recipe
- Pat Dry First: Don’t skip drying the wings thoroughly before seasoning—it’s the secret to crispy skin every time.
- Overnight Rest: Refrigerating the wings uncovered overnight allows the skin to dry properly, which makes a huge difference in texture.
- Sauce Last Touch: Toss wings in sauce just before serving so they stay crispy rather than soggy.
- Watch Oven Temps: Baking at 425°F crisps wings nicely, but ovens vary—keep an eye so they don’t burn or dry out.
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Wings Recipe
Garnishes
I often sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro or scallions over the sauced wings for a fresh burst of color and flavor. A few sesame seeds on top add a nice little crunch and hint of nuttiness that complements the sweetness of the sauce beautifully.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides with these wings are crunchy celery sticks and creamy blue cheese or ranch dip—classic combos that balance the wings’ heat. For something heartier, a simple coleslaw or steamed jasmine rice works perfectly to soak up the delicious bang bang sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like to serve these wings on a big wooden platter lined with parchment paper, surrounded by bowls of garnish and dipping sauces. Sometimes, I even thread small bamboo skewers through the drumettes for easy grab-and-go bites—that presentation always impresses guests!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually keep the sauce separate to prevent sogginess and toss the wings in sauce again just before reheating.
Freezing
If I want to freeze the wings, I cool them completely, then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to freezer bags. This keeps them from sticking together. They freeze well for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen in the oven for best texture.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop the wings in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through and crispy again. If sauced ahead, I suggest reheating the wings plain, then tossing in fresh bang bang sauce just before serving.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen chicken wings for this Bang Bang Chicken Wings Recipe?
Yes! Just make sure to thaw the wings completely and pat them very dry before seasoning. Dry wings are key to getting that crispy skin when baking.
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What’s the purpose of baking powder in this recipe?
Baking powder helps draw moisture out of the skin and creates tiny bubbles on the surface, resulting in an irresistibly crisp crust without frying. Make sure to use aluminium-free baking powder for the best taste.
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Can I make the bang bang sauce spicier or milder?
Absolutely! Adjust the amount of sriracha to suit your heat preference. For a milder sauce, reduce or omit the sriracha and add a touch more honey for sweetness.
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Is it necessary to refrigerate the wings overnight?
While you can skip this step if you’re short on time, refrigerating the wings uncovered for 12 to 24 hours really dries out the skin and improves crispiness significantly. If you’re rushed, try the “cheater” method in the notes for good results too.
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Can I use this recipe with other chicken parts?
Yes! You can use this technique on chicken drumsticks or even boneless wings, but cooking times might need adjustments depending on size and thickness. Just ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Final Thoughts
I really hope you give this Bang Bang Chicken Wings Recipe a try—it’s one of those dishes that’s super fun to make and even better to share. From the crispy skin to the luscious sauce, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that I always get asked to make again. So grab your wings, set aside some time for the fridge, and get ready for a hit you’ll be craving over and over.
PrintBang Bang Chicken Wings Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 12 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Crispy and flavorful Bang Bang Chicken Wings recipe featuring perfectly roasted chicken wings coated with a spicy, sweet, and creamy bang bang sauce. The wings are first dried and tossed in a baking powder seasoning mix, then slow-roasted for ultimate crispiness before being tossed in a homemade bang bang sauce made with mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, honey, and sriracha.
Ingredients
Chicken Wings
- 2 to 3 pounds chicken wings (drumettes and flats)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder (aluminium-free)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1-2 teaspoon sriracha hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 pinch salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Wings: Place a wire rack on a baking sheet. Pat 2 to 3 pounds of chicken wings dry thoroughly using paper towels to help achieve crispy skin.
- Season the Wings: In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Sprinkle this seasoning evenly over the wings and toss well to coat them completely.
- Dry the Wings: Arrange the wings in a single layer on the wire rack placed on a baking sheet. Refrigerate uncovered for 12 to 24 hours to dry the skin and allow the coating to adhere properly.
- Roast the Wings: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Remove wings from refrigerator and roast on the wire rack in the oven for about 30 minutes or until crisp, golden brown, and the internal temperature reads 165°F (74°C). Cooking time may vary by wing size.
- Make Bang Bang Sauce: While wings cook, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce, 1 tablespoon honey, 1-2 teaspoons sriracha, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Adjust salt and heat levels to your preference.
- Toss Wings in Sauce and Serve: Transfer cooked wings to a large bowl. Drizzle the Bang Bang sauce over them and toss well to coat all wings evenly. Serve immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- If short on time, use the ‘cheater’ method: bake wings at 250°F (120°C) for 45 minutes to 1 hour, then increase oven to 425°F (220°C) and bake an additional 30-45 minutes to reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and crispness.
- Patting wings dry and refrigerating uncovered helps achieve the crispiest skin.
- Adjust sriracha in the sauce to control the spice level.
- This recipe serves 6 and pairs well with fresh veggies or a light salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 4-5 wings)
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg