Maple Chipotle Wings

I’ve never had chicken wings that were a bit sweet. Never thought of it, really. Until now. Fantastic maple syrup (the real stuff, not the stuff pretending to be maple syrup). Behind that sweetness is a bit of heat and smokiness, thanks to chipotle powder, something I’m finding myself using in more and more dishes every day. These maple chipotle wings are fantastic wings, something different, something pleasantly different. Something people won’t expect.

Maple Chipotle Wings

Smoky Spicy Goodness

If you don’t have chipotle powder, you can mix smoked paprika and a bit of cayenne instead. You need that hint of heat to offset the sweetness of the maple syrup, but you don’t want to bury it, so don’t get too heavy-handed with the cayenne if you do substitute it. You’ll still love these maple chipotle wings no matter what.

Also try some pineapple glazed wings!

Check out my always-growing list of over 100 homemade wing recipes, including sauces and seasonings!

Maple Chipotle Wings
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5 from 2 votes

Maple Chipotle Wings

These maple chipotle wings are fantastic wings, something different, something pleasantly different.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: sweet heat, wings
Servings: 6
Calories: 522kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce on the side, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 522kcal | Protein: 44g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 178mg | Sodium: 205mg | Potassium: 387mg | Vitamin A: 335IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.

Joe Montana’s Dry Rub Wings

I don’t know if these really are Joe Montana‘s dry rub wings. Maybe they are. I’m a long-time Dallas Cowboy fan so it sorta bothers me to say that these are mighty darned good wings.

And as much as I do like wings covered in sauce, I’m just as big of a fan of dry wings. Over-the-top sauces can bury the flavors from the chicken and the seasonings. So, if you can’t taste the chicken, what’s the point of cooking wings to start with?

Joe Montana's Dry Rub Wings

Simple, Yet Delicious!

There’s nothing but flavor from Joe Montana’s dry rub wings. Overall simple flavors. Likewise no spiciness (add a good pinch of cayenne if you want some heat). No sweetness (add some brown sugar or honey powder if you prefer a sweeter wing). Just great flavor that anyone will love.

These wings are dry marinated in the rub just before cooking. After they are done, the wings are tossed in a little more rub. You get the rub in every bite.

I like to make my spice, rub and seasoning mixes in big batches and keep them in large bottles with easy-to-pour shaker lids.

Also try some delicious 5 salt 5 pepper air fryer wings!

Check out my always-growing list of over 100 homemade wing recipes, including sauces and seasonings!

Joe Montana's Dry Rub Wings
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5 from 1 vote

Joe Montana’s Dry Rub Wings

There’s nothing but flavor from Joe Montana’s dry rub wings.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: dry wings
Servings: 6
Calories: 517kcal

Ingredients

For the wings

For the rub

Instructions

For the wings

For the rub

  • Combine all ingredients.

Notes

I prefer to season my wings immediately after cooking them. The seasoning will stick to the surface of the hot wings better than if you wait until they cool off.

Nutrition

Calories: 517kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 176mg | Sodium: 574mg | Potassium: 395mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 663IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.

Garlic Sriracha Dry Wings

I’m a huge fan of making chicken wings without saucing them in the traditional Buffalo wing manner. I season them and let them marinate for a bit, then cook them. When they are done I toss them with more seasoning and serve them ‘dry’, with a dipping sauce on the side. This time I used Weber Garlic Sriracha Seasoning, which is a little spicy, for some garlic Sriracha dry wings.

Garlic Sriracha Dry Wings

Great-Tasting Dry Wings

These garlic Sriracha dry wings came out fantastic. There’s enough kick to wake you up. The garlic adds a really great almost earthy flavor. I cooled them off with just straight-up Ranch dressing for dipping.

Also try my Buffalo Ranch dry wings.

Check out my always-growing list of over 100 homemade wing recipes, including sauces and seasonings!

Garlic Sriracha Dry Wings
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5 from 1 vote

Garlic Sriracha Dry Wings

These garlic Sriracha dry wings came out fantastic. There’s enough kick to wake you up.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: garlic, spicy, wings
Servings: 6
Calories: 508kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

I prefer to season my wings immediately after cooking them. The seasoning will stick to the surface of the hot wings better than if you wait until they cool off.

Nutrition

Calories: 508kcal | Protein: 42g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 175mg | Potassium: 362mg | Vitamin A: 334IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.

Frank’s RedHot Buffalo ‘N BBQ Thick Sauce Wings

After completely destroying a batch of wings covered in Frank’s RedHot Original Thick Hot Sauce the other day (in absolutely no time at all I might add) I rushed to grab another bottle in the line of thick wing sauces. This time I tried Frank’s RedHot Buffalo ‘N BBQ Thick Sauce wings and man, was I ever blown away.

Great expectations

After the original sauce my expectations were high, perhaps too high, I thought. But oh no, this sauce blew me away and then some. Just the right mix of traditional Buffalo wing flavor and BBQ (with just a bit of smokiness). And thick. But not too thick. I was very happy with this sauce. I see why everyone puts this sh#t on everything!

Frank's RedHot Buffalo 'N BBQ Thick Sauce Wings

It’s The Bomb

Frank’s RedHot Original Thick Hot Sauce wings sauce isn’t just for wings. This sauce would be fantastic on grilled chicken. It would make for the world’s best chicken nugget dipping sauce. And it would be stellar on a grilled chicken sandwich. This stuff is the bomb. Get some.

Remember that if you have to refrigerate your open bottle of wing sauce to let it sit out on the counter for at least 30 minutes before using. You don’t want to ‘shock’ hot, just-cooked wings with a cold sauce.

Also try some Frank’s RedHot Buffalo ‘N Ranch thick sauce wings.

Check out my always-growing list of over 200 favorite store-bought wing sauces and seasonings!

Frank's RedHot Buffalo 'N BBQ Thick Sauce Wings
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5 from 1 vote

Frank’s RedHot Buffalo ‘N BBQ Thick Sauce Wings

Frank's RedHot Buffalo 'N BBQ Thick Sauce isn't just for wings. This sauce would be fantastic on grilled chicken.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: barbecue, BBQ, Buffalo wings, wings
Servings: 6
Calories: 503kcal

Ingredients

Notes

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce on the side, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 503kcal | Protein: 42g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 354mg | Vitamin A: 333IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.

Tacos Al Pastor Dry Wings

The flavor of tacos al pastor is one of my favorites. These tacos al pastor dry wings have that same great flavor without all the work. Paprika, chipotle powder, chili powder and a few other Mexican-inspired spices give the chicken wings a wonderful earthly flavor with a hint of smokiness and just a touch of heat. Sprinkled with cilantro and served with crema for dipping, these are great (easy) wings!

Al Pastor Dry Wings

Make it or buy it

I used a package of tacos al pastor seasoning, but you can also make your own. The store-bought seasoning is super tasty, but a tad salty, so you might want to be a little shy with it. You don’t need a lot of it anyways, it’s so flavorful. If you make your own you can of course control the salt if that’s your thing. No matter which seasoning you use, you can’t go wrong with these tacos al pastor dry wings. They’re a nice Mexican-inspired treat!

Also try my fajita-seasoned dry wings.

Al Pastor Dry Wings
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5 from 1 vote

Tacos Al Pastor Dry Wings

I used a package of tacos al pastor seasoning from Old El Paso, but you can make your own.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Mexican, wings
Servings: 6
Calories: 730kcal

Ingredients

  • 3-4 pounds chicken wings flats and drumettes separated, tips saved to make stock
  • Tacos Al Pastor seasoning to taste
  • cilantro chopped, for garnish
  • Mexican crema for drizzling or dipping, optional

Instructions

Notes

I prefer to season my wings immediately after cooking them. The seasoning will stick to the surface of the hot wings better than if you wait until they cool off.

Nutrition

Calories: 730kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 195mg | Potassium: 418mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 532IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.

Smoky Chipotle Wings

I’ve been seriously addicted to making dry wings, like these smoky chipotle wings. My wife and I recently spent a few days in lovely Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania while attending a conference. I made sure I had my ‘to-eat’ list down before leaving, because one thing you can be sure of finding in Pittsburgh: good food. At the top of my list was dry chicken wings. No, not dry like ‘ewww, this meat is dry’. Dry as in the wings aren’t tossed in sauce after being cooked. Instead they are dusted with seasoning. The end result is almost like roasted chicken, but with much more pronounced flavors.

Smoky Chipotle Wings

A Little Smoke. A Little Heat.

When you first taste the rub for these smoky chipotle wings you might think they’ll come out super spicy. Maybe too spicy for grandma. Well, no, actually. The heat mellows a bit while the wings cook. You’re left with a slightly smoky, slightly sweet, and a bit of heat flavor that is absolutely crazy good. Good enough for grandma, though you might want to run the idea by her first.

Smoky chipotle wings would be absolutely perfect served any time, but they’d really make a great appetizer for the big game. They’re easy to make and packed with flavor.

I like to make my spice, rub and seasoning mixes in big batches and keep them in large bottles with easy-to-pour shaker lids.

Also try my spicy dry rub hot wings.

Check out my always-growing list of over 100 homemade wing recipes, including sauces and seasonings!

Smoky Chipotle Wings
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5 from 1 vote

Smoky Chipotle Wings

When you first taste the rub for these smoky chipotle wings you might think they’ll come out super spicy. Well, no actually.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: smoky, spicy, wings
Servings: 6
Calories: 530kcal

Ingredients

For the wings

  • 3-4 pounds chicken wings flats and drumettes separated, tips saved to make stock
  • 3 tablespoons Smoky Chipotle Rub from below, divided

For the Smoky Chipotle Rub (makes more than you'll need)

Instructions

For the Smoky Chipotle Rub

  • Combine all ingredients. Store leftover rub in an airtight container.

Notes

I prefer to season my wings immediately after cooking them. The seasoning will stick to the surface of the hot wings better than if you wait until they cool off.

Nutrition

Calories: 530kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 1331mg | Potassium: 404mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 915IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.

Duck Fat Air Fryer Wings

For a quick lunch, air fryer wings just can’t be beat. My extra-crispy version gets me nice crunchy wings in less than 30 minutes. So could I improve on such a great thing? Well, I can. And did. With duck fat spray. Making duck fat air fryer wings is just as easy as making wings using my regular approach. But they are so much crispier and have a wonderful flavor that is just amazing.

Duck Fat Air Fryer Wings

Duck Fat is a Game Changer

You can find duck fat spray in your grocers oil aisle, by the non-stick spray and olive oils and stuff like that. It ain’t cheap, but what it does for duck fat air fryer wings (and many other things) is well worth it. I would suggest you don’t go nuts with it the first time you use it. Try a few quick sprays and see if you want to add more.

I often find myself using a few variations on this approach. I’ll sometimes just spritz the wings, salt and pepper them, then cook them. After they are done I’ll sprinkle them with my favorite seasoning and serve them ‘dry’. I often use this approach if my seasoning is prone to charring during cooking. If I want them ‘wet’, then I’ll toss them in my favorite sauce.

Also try my duck fat Vortex wings.

Check out my always-growing list of over 100 homemade wing recipes, including sauces and seasonings!

Duck Fat Air Fryer Wings
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5 from 1 vote

Duck Fat Air Fryer Wings

It ain't cheap, but what duck fat does for air fryer wings is well worth it.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: crispy, duck fat, wings
Servings: 1
Calories: 13kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat your air fryer per manufacturer's recommendation.
  • Spray the wings with duck fat. Just a few squirts will do. I like to put the wings into a bowl, give them a quick spray, turn then, and give them another quick spray.
  • Sprinkle the wings with seasoning. Turn, and add a bit more seasoning. Alternatively, place the wings into a bag or resealable container and sprinkle with the seasoning. Close the container and toss gently to coat.
  • Add the wings to the basket (be careful it’s hot!). If you have trouble fitting them without overlapping, stand the drumettes along the sides of the basket.
  • Cook at 360 F for 12 minutes for large wings, 10 minutes for smaller ones.
  • Carefully flip the wings (rotate the drumettes if they are standing) and cook another 12 minutes again (10 minutes for smaller wings) at 375 F.
  • Flip the wings one last time. Increase the temperature to 390 F and cook another 6 minutes (4 minutes for smaller wings).
  • Remove and toss with your favorite wing sauce or sprinkle with more seasoning.
  • Devour!

Notes

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce on the side, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 13kcal | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 9mg | Vitamin A: 9IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.

Garlic-Q Wings

Alliger’s House of Wings has some of the most awesome wing sauces I’ve ever had. I just cannot get enough of them. The other really cool thing about Alliger’s is that their website has simple recipes for combining their sauces to make new flavors. Like these Garlic-Q wings. It’s a wonderful combination of, you guessed it, garlic wing sauce and BBQ wing sauce! The garlic sauce by itself is pretty garlicky. Add in some BBQ wing sauce and you get this awesome new taste with just the perfect amount of spice.

Garlic-Q Wings

A Wonderful Marriage Of Two Wing Sauces

Garlic-Q wings are a great way to bring a little something different to the party. We’ve all had garlicky wings. We’ve all had BBQ wings. But Garlic-Q wings? Now, that’s new. And it’s so crazy easy to make!

I store my leftover homemade sauces in squeeze bottles. If refrigerated, I set them out an hour before using so they come to room temperature. You don’t want to put cold sauce on hot wings!

Also try my angry wings! They’re meanly good!

Check out my always-growing list of over 200 favorite store-bought wing sauces and seasonings!

Garlic-Q Wings
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5 from 1 vote

Garlic-Q Wings

This is a wonderful combination of, you guessed it, garlic wing sauce and BBQ wing sauce!
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: barbecue, BBQ, garlic, wings
Servings: 6
Calories: 503kcal

Ingredients

Notes

Remember that if you have to refrigerate your open bottle of wing sauce, let it sit out on the counter for at least 30 minutes before using. You don’t want to ‘shock’ hot, just-cooked wings with a cold sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 503kcal | Protein: 42g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 354mg | Vitamin A: 333IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.

Deep-Fried Pork Panko Wings

It’s not so much that I was seeking out a low-carb alternative to my deep-fried wing recipes. I don’t usually coat my wings so heavily that carbs are something I consider. But I was looking for something different. Pork panko, well, that’s different so that’s how I ended up here. Deep-fried pork panko wings are just like the ‘regular’ panko ones, just low-carb and I would actually say they are a bit better.

Deep-Fried Pork Panko Wings

Different. In A Good Way.

As you might expect the flavor of the pork rinds makes these deep-fried pork panko wings a bit different than their bread flake-breaded cousins. I think the coating is also a bit moister, juicier. I’d serve these and watch people take that first bite, expecting the ‘usual’ bread or panko flavor and texture. Then spring the news on them! It’s pork rinds! Oh my!

Check out my always-growing list of over 100 homemade wing recipes, including sauces and seasonings!

Deep-Fried Pork Panko Wings
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4 from 1 vote

Deep-Fried Pork Panko Wings

A nice change from the usual panko!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: deep-fried, wings
Servings: 6
Calories: 512kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

For the wings

For the breading

Instructions

  • Heat 3-4" of oil to 350 F in a deep-fryer or Dutch oven.
  • Rinse the chicken and pat somewhat dry. Place in a large bowl.
  • Combine the breading ingredients in a small bowl. Make sure you get out any lumps.
  • Sprinkle breading ingredients over the wings. Using your hands, roll the wings in the breading, coating well.
  • Working in batches if needed, fry the wings until done, 8-10 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack-lined pan to drain.
  • Serve with any wing sauce on the side for dipping. I recommend against tossing the wings in sauce as the breading will tend to come off.

Notes

Note: You may want to double the breading ingredients if you prefer to have your wings more heavily coated.

Nutrition

Calories: 512kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 167mg | Potassium: 404mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 919IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.