Baked BBQ Chicken Wing Recipe

Create classic baked BBQ style crispy chicken wings in the oven. The perfect weeknight meal or game day appetizer to serve.

Crispy baked BBQ chicken wings are always a huge hit year-round. They are the perfect comfort food and take minimal prep time and are versatile as a main dish or served up as the perfect appetizer.

While we’ve already shared the secrets to cooking a whole oven-baked BBQ chicken, this article is focusing specifically on the best ways to create crispy wings only using the oven (yes you can get crispy chicken wings without an air fryer).

This chicken wings recipe works because it –

• Takes minimal hands-on prep time
• Requires no frying or air fryer needed
• Is naturally gluten-free and can even fit a keto/ low carb or sugar-free diet (depending on the sauce and rub you use)
• Can easily be modified with other flavor profiles (so don’t panic if you’re a buffalo wings fan instead)

Below you can find everything you need to know about preparing the wings, seasoning them, tricks for getting the crispiest chicken skin, and the best ways to sauce and serve them too. Let’s dive in!

Looking to grill your wings instead? Check out this recipe on how to get smoked chicken wings on an electric smoker too.

“School” Supplies:

• Large Bowl
• Paper Towels
• Wire Rack (I use a cooling rack)
• Aluminum Foil (or parchment paper)
• Large baking Sheet

“Class” Notes:

Welcome to my virtual classroom! Use the guided notes below where I often answer commonly asked questions I get from readers and cooks just like you. 

This information is meant to help you have a stronger understanding of this recipe and the process so you can find success all on your own when making these crispy oven baked wing recipe.

Ready to begin cooking? Simply jump to the recipe card below and begin. 

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds of Wings (whole chicken wings or split wings work for this recipe)
• 1 tbsp. Olive Oil
• 2 tbsp. Baking Powder or Cornstarch
• 2 tbsp. All Purpose BBQ Dry Rub (a mixture of salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and chili powder)
• 1.5 cups Favorite BBQ Sauce (I love this apricot BBQ sauce recipe)

Can Wings Get Crispy In The Oven?

Yes! You can absolutely achieve the coveted crispy golden brown barbecue wings of your dreams using only your oven.

The key to achieving this is to focus on removing as much moisture as possible on the wings. Here is how I achieve this:

1. Use paper towels to pat them dry after removing them from the packaging.
2. Coat the wings in the dry rub and baking powder mixture. The baking powder absorbs the moisture on the skin to create the best crispy coating (you can also substitute with cornstarch here).
3. Place wings on a foil lined baking pan with a wire rack. Place the wings in a single layer on the rack (do not overcrowd). The air from the rack allows it to move under the wings allowing for them to fully dry out
4. Allow for the wings to dry out uncovered in the fridge for at least two hours or overnight before baking.

This method is always a go-to not just with chicken wings but any part of the chicken that still contains skin. While this is little prep, it does involve some extra planning as they sit and rest; keep this in mind!

Cooking Instructions:

Baked barbecue chicken wings work best when baked in a high heat oven. This allows the fat in the skin to render and allows it to get crispy.

1. Preheat a convection oven to 425 F.
2. Remove the chicken wings from the fridge before placing them into the preheated oven.
3. Bake the chicken wings for 20 minutes and then flip them over for even roasting. Bake an additional 15 minutes before saucing.
4. When saucing the wings, coat the tops and bottoms of the whole wings by brushing on a thin layer of sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. This allows the sauce to get tacky and adhere to the wing. Coat a second time if desired for a heavier sauced wing.
5. The wings should hit a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F. I prefer to cook wings at around 175-180 F. because it helps break down the fat and connective tissues more for a better mouth feel.
6. Remove from the oven and serve with the remaining sauce if desired.

Tips For Serving:

• If you plan on serving a large number of wings for a game night during football season, for example, serve dry wings instead with your favorite dipping sauce on the side. This prevents the skin from getting mushy and also allows for other flavor variations when serving a large crowd.
• Pair the BBQ wings with BBQ ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or other wing sauce you prefer.
• Serve with a side of sliced carrots, celery, and pickles (because this should definitely be a thing).

Love wings? Me too! Check out these fan favorite flavors too-

• BBQ Bacon Wrapped Wings
• Butter Chicken Wings
• Grilled Thai Curry Wings