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.
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.
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
- MIld Sauces
- Made for wings and more