These baked chicken wings are a healthier alternative to fried wings, offering crispy skin and juicy meat with minimal effort.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs chicken wings (about 10-12 wings)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder (aluminum-free, for crispiness)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (for a little heat)
- Optional: Your favorite wing sauce (e.g., buffalo, BBQ, honey garlic)
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the Wings:
- If your wings are whole, separate them into drumettes and wingettes. Discard the wing tips, or save them for making chicken stock.
- Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. This is crucial for achieving crispy skin.
- Season the Wings:
- In a large bowl, combine the baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Add the chicken wings to the bowl and toss them thoroughly to coat them evenly with the spice mixture.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet. This allows air to circulate around the wings, promoting crispiness. If you dont have a wire rack, the wings can be placed directly on the baking sheet, but they may not be as crispy.
- Arrange the chicken wings in a single layer on the wire rack (or baking sheet), ensuring they are not overcrowded.
- Bake the Wings:
- Bake the wings for 40-50 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Flip the wings halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.
- The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Sauce (Optional):
- If you want to sauce your wings, remove them from the oven and place them in a clean bowl.
- Pour your favorite wing sauce over the wings and toss them until they are evenly coated.
- You can then put the sauced wings back into the oven for a few minutes to caramelize the sauce, or serve them immediately.
- Serve:
- Serve the baked chicken wings hot, with your favorite dipping sauces and sides.