The Best Air Fryer Wings

These are, hands down, my favorite air fryer wings, and if you’ve been searching for that perfect, foolproof wing recipe that delivers restaurant-quality results without the hassle, you’ve just found it.

Jump to the List

What I love most about them is the texture. We’re talking deliciously crunchy on the outside, with that irresistible golden-brown, ultra-crispy skin that crackles with every bite, while the inside stays incredibly juicy, tender, and full of flavor. No deep fryer, no pot of splattering oil, no greasy mess to clean up afterward. The air fryer does all the heavy lifting, circulating super-hot air to make the skin shatteringly crisp in a way that feels almost too good to be true for something so effortless.

The Best Air Fryer Wings

And did I mention they’re ready in less than 30 minutes? From fridge to table in under half an hour, this recipe is a total lifesaver on busy weeknights, for last-minute game day cravings, or when friends drop by unexpectedly. There’s minimal prep involved – just a quick pat down to get them super dry, which is my secret to that extra crunch, a toss in a simple seasoning blend of garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and a little baking powder for that extra lift, and then let the air fryer work its magic. You don’t even need to flip them more than once.

Every single time I make these, they are always a big hit. I’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t go back for seconds and thirds. My family requests them weekly, my friends beg for the recipe after one taste, and they disappear from the serving platter in minutes. Serve them as-is because they’re fantastic on their own, or toss them in your favorite sauce – classic buffalo, honey garlic, sweet chili, or lemon pepper – or set out a few dipping options like ranch, blue cheese, and hot honey.

Trust me, once you try this method, you’ll never go back to any other way of making wings.

The List

1
Air Fryer Hooter's Hot Wings
Air Fryer Hooters Hot Wings
An air fryer version of the restaurant classic!
Check out this recipe
2
Rotisserie-Seasoned Air Fryer Wings
Rotisserie-Seasoned Air Fryer Wings
Great flavor and great crunchy skin!
Check out this recipe
3
Crispy Air Fryer Parmesan Wings
Crispy Air Fryer Parmesan Wings
Super easy garlic-flavored Parmesan topping!
Check out this recipe
4
Duck Fat Air Fryer Wings
Duck Fat Air Fryer Wings
It ain't cheap, but what duck fat does for air fryer wings is well worth it.
Check out this recipe
5
5 Salt 5 Pepper Air Fryer Dry Wings
5 Salt 5 Pepper Air Fryer Dry Wings
Delicious salty peppery wings!
Check out this recipe
6
Extra-Crispy Air Fryer Wings
Extra-Crispy Air Fryer Wings
I recommend that you use a rub or seasoning that doesn't contain sugar when you make air fryer wings.
Check out this recipe
7
Air Fryer Buc-ee's Barbecue Wings
Air Fryer Buc-ee’s Barbecue Sauce Wings
Great BBQ taste on crispy air-fried wings!
Check out this recipe
8
Brined Sous Vide Air Fryer Wings
Brined Sous Vide Air Fryer Wings
These wings make for a great quick lunchtime meal,
Check out this recipe
9
Air Fryer Wings
Air Fryer Wings
I recommend that you use a rub or seasoning that doesn't contain sugar when you make air fryer wings.
Check out this recipe
10
How To Cook Frozen Wings in an Air Fryer
How To Cook Frozen Wings in an Air Fryer
Easy, great wings in no time!
Check out this recipe

Also check out my list of the best baked wings.

The Best Asian-Inspired Wings

These are my absolute favorite Asian-inspired wings, and after years of testing, tweaking, and frankly eating way too many wings, this is the list I keep coming back to.

Jump to the List

What I love about this category is how wide it is. Asian-inspired doesn’t mean one sauce or one style. It can mean sticky, glossy wings coated in a sweet and savory hoisin glaze that bakes right onto the skin. It can mean bright, citrusy orange chicken wings that are more savory than sweet. It can mean unmistakable Thai curry that hits you with warm spice the second you take a bite, or a chili-based Thai ‘R Cracker style that rides that line between sweet heat and tangy zing.

Some of these recipes are completely homemade, built from pantry staples like soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, honey, and gochujang, so you can control the heat and sweetness exactly how you like it. Others lean on store-bought shortcuts that are just too good not to use, like Japanese barbecue sauce — both the original and spicy versions — which I honestly could eat with a spoon, or a great bottled teriyaki dry seasoning. That mix of from-scratch and semi-homemade is intentional, because sometimes you want a project and sometimes you just want great wings fast.

Homemade. And Store-Bought.

You’ll also find both wet and dry in this roundup, because texture matters just as much as flavor. If you love a saucy, finger-licking, extra-napkins-needed wing, you’ll want to start with the Korean BBQ, the copycat Hooters Asian wings — which are easily my all-time favorite — and those ramen-seasoned wings with the peanut dipping sauce that disappeared in about five minutes at my house. If you prefer that clean bite-through with crunchy skin and flavor that clings without the drip, the dry versions like the Croix Valley Garlic Ginger Teriyaki and the classic Teriyaki Dry wings are for you.

The Best Asian-Inspired Wings

Let’s Go!

All of them, whether baked, fried, grilled, wet, dry, homemade, or doctored from a bottle, deliver that craveable umami-packed punch that makes Asian-inspired wings so addictive. So grab some napkins, pick your heat level, and work your way through the list. I promise, they’re all great!

The List

1
Baked Hoisin Wings
Baked Hoisin Wings
You won't find crunchy skin here, but it does have a clean bite-through and great flavor.
Check out this recipe
2
Buffalo Wild Wings Orange Chicken Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings Orange Chicken Wings
We both loved this sauce. It's not too orange-forward.
Check out this recipe
3
Buffalo Wild Wings Thai Curry Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings Thai Curry Wing Sauces
You won't take a taste and find yourself wondering… "Is that curry I taste?". There's no question about it.
Check out this recipe
4
Copycat Buffalo Wild Wings Thai Curry Wings
Copycat Buffalo Wild Wings Thai Curry Wings
I could just lick the sauce off the wings. It's so good!
Check out this recipe
5
Copycat Hooters Asian Wings
Hooters Asian Wings (Copycat Recipe)
These are easily my favorite Asian-flavored wings.
Check out this recipe
6
Copycat Quaker Steak and Lube Thai 'R' Cracker Wings
Quaker Steak and Lube Thai ‘R’ Cracker Wings (Copycat Recipe)
Just like the original, this chili sauce-based mixture combines a bit of sweet and a bit of heat all with a slight Asian zing.
Check out this recipe
7
Croix Valley Garlic Ginger Teriyaki Dry Wings
Croix Valley Garlic Ginger Teriyaki Dry Wings
Delicious wings with Asian-inspired flavors.
Check out this recipe
8
The Best Asian-Inspired Wings
Korean BBQ Wings
These Korean BBQ wings were fantastic, thanks to a delicious sauce that packs just the right amount of heat.
Check out this recipe
9
Legend Larry's Sweet Thai Chili Wings
Legend Larry’s Sweet Thai Chili Wings
Whomever comes up with the sauces at Legend Larry's deserves a raise.
Check out this recipe
10
Ramen-Seasoned Wings
Ramen-Seasoned Wings
These Ramen-seasoned wings with peanut dipping sauce disappeared in no time!
Check out this recipe
11
Japanese Barbecue Sauce Wings
Japanese Barbecue Sauce Wings
My goodness me is this ever good stuff! I mean crazy good.
Check out this recipe
12
Spicy Japanese Barbecue Sauce Wings
Spicy Japanese Barbecue Sauce Wings
My goodness me is this ever good stuff! I mean crazy good.
Check out this recipe
13
Spicy Sweet and Sour Wing
Spicy Sweet and Sour Wings
Adjust the ratio of sweet and sour sauce and hot sauce to your liking.
Check out this recipe
14
Teriyaki Dry Wings
Teriyaki Dry Wings
Man, these teriyaki dry wings were so good.
Check out this recipe

The Best BBQ Wings

These are my favorite BBQ wings, hands down. And I don’t say that lightly. I’ve baked, fried, smoked, grilled, and air-fried literally hundreds of batches of wings since I started For the Wing, and I keep coming back to these.

Jump to the List

If you’ve followed along here for any amount of time, you know I love a good Buffalo wing. That cayenne-vinegar punch, the melted butter, the blue cheese or ranch on the side — it’s classic for a reason and it will always have a place on my table. But these wings are proof that not all wings have to have Buffalo-inspired flavors to be absolutely crave-worthy. Sometimes you want something completely different. Something a little sweeter, a little smokier, a little more laid back.

The Best BBQ Wings

Not Buffalo Wings.

That’s exactly what these BBQ wings are. They’re kind of reminiscent of backyard BBQs, the way we used to do them growing up. I’m talking charcoal grill, maybe a little too much lighter fluid, dad outside manning the tongs, chicken quarters slathered in sauce cooking low and slow while the whole yard fills up with smoke. That sweet, tangy, smoky smell that gets into your clothes and your hair. If you grew up in the Midwest like I did here in Indiana, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s pure summer nostalgia.

But better. Here’s why these are better than that backyard grilled chicken I grew up on: wings are just a better delivery system for BBQ sauce.

Backyard Memories

You’ve got so much more crispy skin per bite, and that skin is everything. Whether you bake them, air fry them, or throw them on the grill, they crisp up perfectly, then you toss them in a good BBQ sauce that actually clings instead of sliding off. The residual heat from the wings makes that sauce get glossy and slightly caramelized around the edges. You get sticky fingers, a little char, that perfect balance of sweet, smoky, tangy, with just a little kiss of heat in the background if you want it. Not gloppy. Not overly sweet. Just finger-licking good.

Let’s Get To It!

What I love most is how crowd-pleasing they are. My Buffalo-or-nothing friends devour them. My kids who think black pepper is spicy devour them. They work for game day, for a random Tuesday night, for when you have people over and you don’t want to overthink dinner. Serve them straight up, or with pickles and slaw and ranch for dipping, and watch them disappear. This is the recipe that reminds you why BBQ and chicken were meant to be together in the first place.

The List

1
Crispy Baked Honey BBQ Wings
Crispy Baked Honey BBQ Wings
This recipe scales really easily.
Check out this recipe
2
The Best BBQ Wings
KFC Honey BBQ Wings (Copycat Recipe)
These are finger-licking good wings if ever there were any!
Check out this recipe
3
The Best Asian-Inspired Wings
Korean BBQ Wings
These Korean BBQ wings were fantastic, thanks to a delicious sauce that packs just the right amount of heat.
Check out this recipe
4
BBQ Ranch Wings
BBQ Ranch Wings
There’s nothing fancy going on here, just a great wing sauce.
Check out this recipe
5
Kinder’s Roasted Garlic BBQ Wings
Kinder’s Roasted Garlic BBQ Sauce Wings
Fantastic BBQ and roasted garlic flavors in every bite!
Check out this recipe
6
Backyard BBQ Wings
Backyard BBQ Wings
These Backyard BBQ wings bring back memories.
Check out this recipe
7
Mambo Wings
Mambo Wings
This is a fantastic Asian-inspired BBQ-like wing sauce.
Check out this recipe
8
Hoosier Daddy Sweet and Sassy BBQ Wings
Hoosier Daddy Sweet and Sassy BBQ Sauce Wings
Lightly sweet, lightly smoky, with a kiss of heat. An all-around great BBQ sauce!
Check out this recipe
9
Kinder's Thai BBQ Wings
Kinder’s Thai BBQ Sauce Wings
Asian-inspired happiness.
Check out this recipe

The Best Garlicky Wings

These are my favorite garlicky wings. Period. And I don’t say that lightly — I’ve eaten a LOT of wings in my life. Fried, baked, smoked, grilled, air-fried, you name it. But I always come back to garlic.

Jump to the List

Garlic everywhere. Garlic in every bite. Garlic galore. And more garlic! When I say garlicky, I mean GARLIC. If you’re the kind of person who keeps a jar of minced garlic in the fridge at all times, who orders extra garlic bread with your garlic knots, who believes there’s no such thing as too much garlic, this list was made for you.

The Best Garlicky Wings

Garlic UP!

What makes the best garlicky wings? For me, it’s all about layers. We’re talking fresh garlic minced and sizzled in melted butter until your whole kitchen smells incredible. Roasted garlic that turns sweet and caramelized. Garlic powder in the dry rub for that deep, savory background flavor you can’t quite put your finger on. And then that final shower of garlic parmesan right at the end because, why not?

This is the roundup I send to friends when they text me “where can I find the best garlic wings?” or “what garlic wing sauce should I make for game day?” It’s got all sorts of different ways to get your fix, all tested and all wings I would happily eat again and again.

Garlic Your Way. Every Way.

You’ll find super crispy baked garlic parmesan wings that stay crunchy even under all that buttery sauce, sticky crispy garlic wings that are sweet, savory, and totally addictive, spicy chili garlic wings that bring the heat without losing the garlic punch, and even a few grilled and wood-fired versions where that garlic sauce is great on anything coming off the grill.

What I love most is how versatile they are. They work for a Super Bowl party, a random Tuesday night craving, or a summer cookout. They’re kid-friendly, crowd-pleasing, and they make incredible leftovers — if you have any leftovers, which you won’t.

Let’s Go!

So yeah, these are my favorites. Make a batch, double the garlic if you’re feeling bold, and enjoy. No more worrying about vampires! Just maybe warn your family that the house is going to smell amazing for the next two days. Trust me, once you go full garlic, you never go back.

The List

1
Crispy Woodfired Garlic Wings
Crispy Woodfired Garlic Dry Wings
Crunchy roasted garlic deliciousness.
Check out this recipe
2
Baked Wings with Garlic Butter Sauce
Baked Wings with Garlic Butter Sauce
Garlicky buttery goodness!
Check out this recipe
3
House of Wings Garlic Wings
House of Wings Garlic Wings
This sauce brings the garlic and then some.
Check out this recipe
4
Chili Garlic Wings
Chili Garlic Wings
The sauce on these chili garlic wings is actually great on anything you grill, too.
Check out this recipe
5
Kroger Spicy Garlic Wings
Kroger Spicy Garlic Wings
This is a wing sauce that packs a great punch with good flavor, for a really great price.
Check out this recipe
6
Sticky Crispy Garlic Wings
Sticky Crispy Garlic Wings
Crispy wings with a wonderfully garlicky sweet sauce.
Check out this recipe
7
Baked Garlic Parmesan Wings
Baked Garlic Parmesan Wings
Make sure you shake off any excess butter after dipping the wings.
Check out this recipe
8
Spicy Herb and Garlic Wings
Spicy Herb and Garlic Wings
Fantastically savory wings with just a hint of spiciness.
Check out this recipe
9
Cajun Power Garlic Sauce Wings
Cajun Power Garlic Sauce Wings
Serve more of the sauce on the side for dipping.
Check out this recipe
10
Wing Master Mega Garlic Wings
Wing Master Mega Garlic Wings
The Mega Garlic sauce has, as you might guess, a tremendous garlic flavor.
Check out this recipe

The Best Hot Buffalo Wings

When it comes to chicken wings, I live for that perfect, face-melting, flavor-packed heat, and that’s exactly what this list is all about. These are my all-time favorite hot Buffalo wings — the ones I make on repeat, the ones I crave on game day, and the ones that never fail to deliver that signature tangy, buttery, cayenne kick.

Jump to the List

Any Sauce, Any Time

Over the years I’ve tested, tossed, fried, baked, and grilled more wings than I can count for For the Wing, and what I’ve learned is that there isn’t just one way to make an amazing hot wing. Some of the best wings on this list come from homemade sauces I’ve whipped up from scratch — melting butter, vinegar, garlic, Frank’s RedHot as the base, and then cranking up the heat with extra cayenne, habanero, or even ghost pepper for that extra punch that lingers. I love controlling the heat and tang myself.

The Best Hot Buffalo Wings

Others come straight from a bottle or a shaker, and I’m a firm believer that a great store-bought sauce or a quality wing dust can be just as legit as homemade when you nail the cook on the wing itself. Brands like Anchor Bar, Lillie’s Q, Kosmos Q, and even Buffalo Wild Wings sauces have earned a permanent spot in my pantry because they deliver authentic Buffalo flavor with serious heat without any fuss.

Buffalo Heat

What ties them all together? Every single wing here brings real heat and real Buffalo flavor. Not just hot for the sake of being hot, but that balanced, vinegary, buttery heat that makes you reach for the next wing even while you’re reaching for your blue cheese and celery. You’ll find crispy double-fried classics, oven-baked wings that stay juicy inside, grilled wings with a little char, and dry-rubbed wings finished with a buttery Buffalo toss.

Whether you like your wings extra crispy, saucy enough to need a stack of extra napkins, or with a slow-building burn that hits you after the second bite, you’ll find a new favorite here. I’ve included my personal tasting notes and links to the full recipes for each one, so you can recreate them at home. So grab your favorite hot sauce, crank up the fryer or the oven, and get ready — these are the best hot Buffalo wings I’ve ever had, and I think you’re going to love them too.

The List

1
The Best Deep-Fried Wings
Spicy Fried Buffalo Wings
Wonderfully spicy deep-fried wings.
Check out this recipe
2
Baked Spicy Buffalo Ranch Wings
Baked Spicy Buffalo Ranch Wings
Use a hotter hot sauce for more kick.
Check out this recipe
3
Frank’s RedHot Hot Buffalo Wings
Frank’s RedHot Hot Buffalo Wings
Fantastic classic flavor and heat.
Check out this recipe
4
Shore Lunch Spicy Buffalo Wings
Shore Lunch Spicy Buffalo Fried Wings
I found these wings to be superb just as they were, hot out of the fryer.
Check out this recipe
5
The Best Spicy Wings
Hooters Hot Buffalo Wings (Copycat Recipe)
These wings are hot, but not crazy hot!
Check out this recipe
6
Lillie's Q Hot Buffalo Wings
Lillie’s Q Hot Buffalo Wings
The bottle does say 'hot' right there on the front of the label. It's not a misprint.
Check out this recipe
7
Kosmos Q Buffalo Hot Wing Dust Wings
Kosmos Q Buffalo Hot Wing Dust Wings
The wings don't need to be drowning in seasoning to be special.
Check out this recipe
8
Kosmos Q Buffalo Hot Wings
Kosmos Q Buffalo Hot Wings
This is a wonderful sauce.
Check out this recipe
9
Anchor Bar Hot Buffalo Wings
Anchor Bar Hot Buffalo Wings
Finger-lickingly good spicy wings.
Check out this recipe
10
Buffalo Wild Wings Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings Wild Wings
I actually really, really enjoyed it which surprised me because I'm not usually into overly hot sauces.
Check out this recipe
11
Plucker's Hot Buffalo Wings
Plucker’s Hot Buffalo Wings
Even if you're not really into super spicy wing sauces, I think you'll like Plucker's hot Buffalo wing sauce.
Check out this recipe
12
Buffalo Wild Wings Hot Buffalo Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings Hot Buffalo Wings
When I crave a traditional wing sauce from a bottle, I grab this.
Check out this recipe
13
Five-Alarm Buffalo Wings
Five-Alarm Buffalo Wings
I’m not sure what possessed me to do it, but I woke up one morning and decided I was going to make the hottest wings I could stand so I did.
Check out this recipe
14
Noble Made Hot Buffalo Wings
Noble Made Hot Buffalo Wings
This sauce is good and spicy (hey, it does say 'hot' on the label!), has that great Buffalo wing flavor, and has the perfect consistency.
Check out this recipe
15
Kroger Hot Buffalo Wings
Kroger Hot Buffalo Wings
Kroger’s Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce is also great as a dipping sauce for chicken nuggets.
Check out this recipe

Also check out my list of the best spicy wings.

The Best Medium Buffalo Wings

These are my all-time favorite medium Buffalo wings, and this is a list I’ve been wanting to put together for a very long time here on For the Wing.

Jump to the List

For me, medium is the absolute sweet spot of the entire Buffalo wing world. I love mild wings when I want that pure, buttery, tangy Buffalo flavor with almost no heat at all. And I love hot and extra-hot wings when I want a real challenge and a serious burn. But medium? Medium is where the magic happens.

The Best Medium Buffalo Wings

Balance

It has everything we all crave from a classic Buffalo wing – that perfect balance of rich melted butter, sharp vinegar tang, and that savory, cayenne-pepper-forward heat – with just enough of a spicy kick to let you know it’s there and keep you coming back for the next wing, without ever being overwhelmingly hot or so spicy you can’t actually taste your food. It’s flavorful first, spicy second.

That’s also why medium is always my go-to recommendation if you’re cooking for a crowd. Whether it’s Super Bowl Sunday, a backyard BBQ, or just a family wing night, it’s the one heat level that truly satisfies everyone. The people who say they “don’t do spicy” can still handle it, and the heat-lovers will still love the authentic Buffalo flavor.

So what exactly is on this list?

It’s a mix of my two favorite ways to do wings. Some are homemade sauces – these are my personal recipes that I’ve developed, tested, and tweaked in my own kitchen over the years. We’re talking simple pantry ingredients, my favorite hot sauce bases, butter, garlic, and a few little tricks I’ve learned to get the consistency and flavor just right. They’re cheap, easy, and you can dial the heat in perfectly.

The others are store-bought sauces that have genuinely blown me away. These are bottles I’ve picked up at places like Kroger, Meijer, Walmart, and online that taste like they came straight from a legendary wing joint. I’m talking sauces inspired by places like Plucker’s, Hooters, Buffalo Wild Wings, Quaker Steak and Lube, and even the Anchor Bar itself.

Let’s Get To It!

All are great, all have been personally tested in my kitchen fried, baked, and air-fried, and all have just that perfect little spicy kick without being overwhelmingly hot. If that’s what you’re looking for, you’re in the right place.

The List

1
Three Ingredient Buffalo Wing Sauce
Three Ingredient Buffalo Wings
Traditional flavor. And heat.
Check out this recipe
2
Plucker's Medium Buffalo Wings
Plucker’s Medium Buffalo Wings
I'm crazy close to saying this is the best medium Buffalo wing sauce I've ever had.
Check out this recipe
3
Super Bowl Party Wing Recipes
Plucker’s Medium Buffalo Wings (Copycat Recipe)
Wonderful traditional wing flavor.
Check out this recipe
4
The Best Medium Buffalo Wings
Hooters Medium Wings
No pain here, just great hot wings.
Check out this recipe
5
Copycat Hooter's Medium Buffalo Wings
Hooters Medium Buffalo Wings (Copycat Recipe)
The favorite restaurant chain wings, made at home.
Check out this recipe
6
Buffalo Wild Wings Medium Buffalo Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings Medium Buffalo Wings
This sauce is going to pretty much satisfy everyone you know.
Check out this recipe
7
Quaker Steak and Lube Medium Buffalo Wings
Quaker Steak and Lube Medium Buffalo Wings
This is it, all in one sauce. It is nice and creamy to boot.
Check out this recipe
8
Kroger Medium Buffalo Wings
Kroger Medium Buffalo Wings
This is a mighty fine wing sauce, and boy, the price was right!
Check out this recipe
9
Noble Made Medium Buffalo Wings
Noble Made Medium Buffalo Wings
This sauce is lightly spicy, has that great Buffalo wing flavor, and has the perfect consistency.
Check out this recipe
10
Great Value Medium Buffalo Wings
Great Value Medium Buffalo Wings
This medium sauce definitely still satisfied my Buffalo wing craving without burning my mouth.
Check out this recipe
11
Legend Larry's Medium Buffalo Wings
Legend Larry’s Medium Buffalo Wings
Legend Larry’s medium Buffalo wing sauce is the perfect middle-of-the-road spicy wing sauce.
Check out this recipe
12
Meijer Medium Buffalo Wings
Meijer Medium Buffalo Wings
I absolutely love all of the Meijer wing sauces.
Check out this recipe
13
Anchor Bar Medium Buffalo Wings
Anchor Bar Medium Buffalo Wings
I ordered Anchor bar wing sauces online. I found the prices to be quite reasonable as was shipping.
Check out this recipe
14
The Dirty Buffalo Medium Buffalo Wings
The Dirty Buffalo Medium Buffalo Wings
Fantastic classic flavors without a lot of heat.
Check out this recipe

The Best Sweet Wings

When people talk about the best chicken wings, the conversation almost always jumps straight to Buffalo hot wings, but if you’re like me, sometimes you want something completely different. Sometimes you want sweet. Over the years of running For the Wing and trying literally hundreds of wing recipes, I’ve discovered that sweet wings are some of the most addictive, crave-worthy wings out there, and they absolutely deserve their own spotlight. That’s exactly what this list is.

Jump to the List

These are my absolute favorite wings that live on the sweeter side of the flavor spectrum. We’re talking sticky, finger-licking, lick-the-sauce-off-the-plate good wings that lean into honey, brown sugar, maple, teriyaki, sweet chili, and classic sweet BBQ. If you have a sweet tooth but still love wings, you are in the right place.

A Little This, A Little That

What I love about this collection is the variety. Some of these recipes feature homemade sauces that I’ve tinkered with in my own kitchen until they were just right – like my Spicy Honey and my Brown Sugar Curry wings where you can control the exact balance of sweet and savory. There’s something incredibly satisfying about whisking together your own glaze from scratch and watching it caramelize perfectly onto crispy wings.

Other times, I want wings fast and easy without sacrificing flavor, and that’s where some fantastic store-bought sauces come in. I’ve found some absolute gems at the grocery store and online – sauces like Sweet Baby Ray’s Sweet Teriyaki, Melinda’s Thai Sweet Chili, and Capital City Sweet Hot Mambo that are so good you’d swear they were made in a restaurant kitchen. I’ll always tell you when I’m using a favorite bottle, because why reinvent the wheel when someone else already nailed it?

Sweet Heat

And of course, my favorite sweet spot is often sweet-heat. A lot of these wings bring a little kick to go along with that sweetness. That combination of sweet honey or sugar hitting first, followed by a slow burn from hot sauce, chili flakes, or Old Bay is just unbeatable. It keeps you coming back for one more wing, and then one more.

The Best Sweet Wings

Let’s Go!

So whether you like them super sweet and sticky or sweet with a touch of fire, every single wing on this list is a winner in my book. All are great, and I know you’re going to find a new favorite here.

The List

1
Crispy Baked Honey BBQ Wings
Crispy Baked Honey BBQ Wings
This recipe scales really easily.
Check out this recipe
2
Market District Sweet Honey Garlic Wings
Market District Sweet Honey Garlic Wings
A great garlicky sweet wing sauce!
Check out this recipe
3
Pepper Palace Sweet But Sinister Wings
Pepper Palace Sweet But Sinister Sauce Wings
Sweet with a kick.
Check out this recipe
4
The Best BBQ Wings
KFC Honey BBQ Wings (Copycat Recipe)
These are finger-licking good wings if ever there were any!
Check out this recipe
5
The Best Sweet Wings
Honey Hot Fried Wings
Crazy deliciously, crunchy wings with a hint of sweet and a bit of heat!
Check out this recipe
6
Spicy Sweet and Sour Wing
Spicy Sweet and Sour Wings
Adjust the ratio of sweet and sour sauce and hot sauce to your liking.
Check out this recipe
7
Melinda's Thai Sweet Chili Sauce Wings
Melinda’s Thai Sweet Chili Sauce Wings
I call this a 'happy' sauce because I was definitely happy after finishing off a batch of lunchtime wings tossed in it.
Check out this recipe
8
Wicked Sticky Wings
Wicked Sticky Wings
These wings are crazy good. Wicked heat. Sticky sweet.
Check out this recipe
9
Capital City Sweet Hot Mambo Wings
Capital City Sweet Hot Mambo Wings
I can definitely say that this cause is crazy amazingly good.
Check out this recipe
10
Spicy Honey Wings
Spicy Honey Wings
These spicy honey wings have the perfect combination of sweet and spicy.
Check out this recipe
11
Sweet Baby Ray's Sweet Teriyaki Wings
Sweet Baby Ray’s Sweet Teriyaki Wings
Sweet, just like the name says.
Check out this recipe
12
Honey Old Bay Wings
Honey Old Bay Wings
These honey Old Bay wings not only have that great seafood seasoning flavor, they have a bit of sweetness too.
Check out this recipe
13
Honey Cholula Wings
Honey Cholula Wings
I really like Cholula for the flavor and the amount of heat. It’s spicy, but not too spicy.
Check out this recipe
14
Detroit Hot Honey Wings
Detroit Hot Honey Wings
I loved these wings even more than I ever thought I would.
Check out this recipe
15
Brown Sugar Curry Wings
Brown Sugar Curry Wings
What would I change about these brown sugar curry wings? Nothing
Check out this recipe

The Best Dry Wings

I’m a huge fan of dry wings. You know, wings without sauce. When most people think wings, they picture a basket of wings covered in Buffalo sauce, needing a stack of napkins. I get it, sauced wings have their place. But dry wings? That’s a whole different experience.

Jump to the List

The Best Dry Wings

Dry What?

That definitely doesn’t mean wings without flavor, though. In fact, it’s the opposite. Without sauce hiding everything, the flavor has nowhere to hide. These wings are packed with flavor because every bit of it is right there on the skin. We’re talking crispy, crackling skin seasoned with a real dry rub – garlic, smoked paprika, black pepper, cayenne, brown sugar, salt, maybe a little lemon pepper or Cajun kick depending on who made them. Some places smoke them first, some fry them hard until they’re extra crunchy, some grill them over charcoal. The seasoning gets toasted right onto the wing itself, so each bite is layered and crunchy and savory.

All Flavor

What I love most is you actually taste the chicken. You taste the smoke, the char, the crunch. And your hands aren’t completely coated in sauce, which honestly makes them way better for watching a game or hanging out with friends. You can still dip them if you want, ranch or blue cheese or hot sauce on the side, but you don’t need to.

Go For It! Get Dry!

If you haven’t tried dry wings, you should! Especially if you think you don’t like wings without sauce. I used to be a sauce-only person too until I had one perfect batch of lemon pepper dry rub wings that changed everything. Once you go dry, you realize how much flavor you were missing under all that sauce.

This is my list of my best dry wings, the ones I keep going back to, the ones I tell all my friends about, and the ones that prove you don’t need sauce to have the best wings you’ve ever had.

The List

1
Kinder's Woodfired Garlic Dry Wings
Kinder’s Woodfired Garlic Dry Wings
Crazy good dry wings packed with smoky garlic flavor.
Check out this recipe
2
Frank's RedHot Original Seasoning Dry Wings
Frank’s RedHot Original Seasoning Dry Wings
Crazy good dry wings.
Check out this recipe
3
Wing Master Mango Chile-Lime Dry Wings
Wing Master Mango Chile-Lime Dry Wings
I like to keep my dry wings simple.
Check out this recipe
4
Croix Valley Garlic Ginger Teriyaki Dry Wings
Croix Valley Garlic Ginger Teriyaki Dry Wings
Delicious wings with Asian-inspired flavors.
Check out this recipe
5
Lawry's Spicy Buffalo Dry Wings
Lawry’s Spicy Buffalo Dry Wings
These wings are packed with great flavor.
Check out this recipe
6
Lawry's Mango Habanero Dry Wings
Lawry’s Mango Habanero Dry Wings
Sprinkle the seasoning on before and after you cook your wings.
Check out this recipe
7
Croix Valley Parmesan Garlic Dry Wings
Croix Valley Parmesan Garlic Dry Wings
I cannot say enough how much I love this seasoning!
Check out this recipe
8
Croix Valley Hickory Barbecue Dry Wings
Croix Valley Hickory Barbecue Dry Wings
I like to keep my dry wings simple.
Check out this recipe
9
Fajita Seasoned Dry Wings
Fajita Seasoned Dry Wings
Beware of fajita seasonings that contain a lot of sugar.
Check out this recipe
10
Al Pastor Dry Wings
Tacos Al Pastor Dry Wings
I used a package of tacos al pastor seasoning from Old El Paso, but you can make your own.
Check out this recipe
11
Buffalo Wild Wings Desert Heat Dry Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings Desert Heat Dry Wings
I am pretty heavy-handed with the seasoning before and after the wings are cooked. I really like this stuff.
Check out this recipe
12
Kosmos Q Buffalo Dry Wings
Kosmos Q Buffalo Dry Wings
There's nothing fancy going on here. Just good, traditional Buffalo wing flavor all in a powder.
Check out this recipe
13
Joe Montana's Dry Rub Wings
Joe Montana’s Dry Rub Wings
There’s nothing but flavor from Joe Montana’s dry rub wings.
Check out this recipe
14
Deep-Fried Dry Wings
Deep-Fried Dry Wings
Super-flavorful, super-crunchy wings!
Check out this recipe

The Best Homemade Buffalo Wings

I love making my own Buffalo wings at home. It’s become one of my favorite weekend rituals, and honestly, once you start making them yourself, it’s hard to go back to takeout or frozen wings.

Jump to the List

What I love most is making the sauce from scratch. That one step changes everything. When you make the sauce yourself, you have complete control. You can adjust the flavors to exactly match your tastes, your mood, or whoever you’re cooking for. Store-bought sauces are fine in a pinch, but they always taste the same. Homemade lets you play.

Sometimes I prefer them seriously spicy — the kind of heat that makes you reach for an extra glass of water but you can’t stop eating anyway. I’ll add extra cayenne, a few dashes of habanero sauce, or let the peppers steep longer to build that slow, fiery burn. Other days, I go for something a little more mellow and balanced. A little more butter for richness, a touch of honey or brown sugar to round out the edges, maybe some smoked paprika or garlic for depth instead of pure heat. It’s the same basic wing, but it can feel like a completely different dish.

Making them at home also means I can get the wings exactly how I like them. Extra crispy skin, perfectly cooked inside, tossed while they’re still steaming hot so the sauce clings to every inch. Pair them with celery sticks, blue cheese or ranch, and you have the perfect spread for game day, a party, or just a cozy night in.

Below are my favorite recipes that I’ve perfected over the years — from my classic, tangy, medium-heat Buffalo sauce that everyone loves, to my extra-hot version for spice lovers, and my mellow, buttery garlic Buffalo for when you want all the flavor without too much fire. Give them a try and I’m sure they’ll be your favorites too!

The List

1
Big Game Hot Wings
Big Game Hot Wings
This sauce would be absolutely great on grilled or smoked pork ribs.
Check out this recipe
2
Cajun Buffalo Wings
Cajun Buffalo Wings
If you want it spicier, use a hot Buffalo wing sauce.
Check out this recipe
3
Copycat Anchor Bar Buffalo Wings
Anchor Bar Buffalo Wings (Copycat Recipe)
Perfect simplicity.
Check out this recipe
4
The Best Spicy Wings
Hooters Hot Buffalo Wings (Copycat Recipe)
These wings are hot, but not crazy hot!
Check out this recipe
5
Copycat Hooter's Medium Buffalo Wings
Hooters Medium Buffalo Wings (Copycat Recipe)
The favorite restaurant chain wings, made at home.
Check out this recipe
6
Detroit Hot Honey Wings
Detroit Hot Honey Wings
I loved these wings even more than I ever thought I would.
Check out this recipe
7
Old Bay Buffalo Wings
Old Bay Buffalo Wings
Be careful to not overheat or overcook the sauce.
Check out this recipe
8
Pickapeppa Buffalo-Style Wings
Pickapeppa Buffalo-Style Wings
These Caribbean-inspired wings are nothing but satisfying, without a lot of heat.
Check out this recipe
9
Smokestack's Wings
Smokestack’s Wings
If you like traditional Buffalo chicken wings, but are looking for a little twist on the classic, then I guarantee you will love Smokestack’s wings.
Check out this recipe
10
Tangy Tapatio Barbecue Wings
Tangy Tapatio Barbecue Wings
These tangy Tapatio barbecue wings are quickly becoming a staple in our household.
Check out this recipe