Crispy Honey BBQ Chicken Wings
Crispy, golden-fried chicken wings tossed in a sweet, sticky honey BBQ glaze. These irresistibly crunchy wings are the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer or game day snack.
There is something universally satisfying about a perfectly fried chicken wing coated in a glossy, sweet, and savory glaze. This recipe uses a rich buttermilk and egg marinade to keep the chicken tender, while a simple seasoned flour dredge ensures maximum crunch. The true magic happens at the end, when the freshly fried wings are tossed in a quick stovetop sauce of honey, butter, hot sauce, and barbecue sauce for a perfectly balanced finish.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken wings
- 3 tbsp seasoning salt
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp butter
- as needed frying oil
Instructions
- 1Test oil temperature
Insert a pair of wooden chopsticks into the pot of hot oil. Look for small bubbles starting to rise steadily around the tips of the chopsticks, which indicates the oil has reached the proper temperature for frying.
Tip: Make sure to use wooden chopsticks rather than plastic or metal to safely check for the tiny rising bubbles. - 2Prepare the dry coating
Pour one tablespoon of seasoning salt directly into a metal bowl containing all-purpose flour. Mix the ingredients thoroughly to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the coating.
Tip: Whisking the flour and seasoning together beforehand prevents clumps of salt in the final coating. - 3Coat the chicken wings
Take each marinated chicken piece and dredge it thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture inside the metal bowl. Ensure every surface of the wing is evenly covered for a crispy crust.
Tip: Press the flour lightly onto the chicken to ensure a thick and secure coating during frying. - 4Fry the chicken wings
Carefully lower the floured chicken wings one by one into the deep pot of hot oil. Fry them for 8 to 10 minutes until they achieve a golden-brown color and a crispy exterior.
Tip: Do not overcrowd the pot, as this will drop the oil temperature and result in soggy wings. - 5Prepare the honey BBQ sauce
Add one-third cup of BBQ sauce, one tablespoon of hot sauce, two tablespoons of honey, and two tablespoons of butter into a small saucepan over the stove.
Tip: Whisk constantly while heating to ensure the butter melts smoothly into the sauce mixture. - 6Simmer the honey BBQ sauce
Place the saucepan over heat and cook the sauce until it begins to bubble. Allow it to gently simmer until the butter is completely melted and the ingredients meld together into a glossy glaze.
Tip: Stir continuously while heating to ensure the honey and butter blend smoothly into the barbecue and hot sauces. - 7Toss the fried wings in sauce
Pour the hot prepared sauce from the saucepan directly into a large metal bowl containing the freshly fried chicken wings. Toss the fried chicken wings and the sauce together thoroughly until every piece is fully coated.
Tip: Toss the wings immediately while they are still hot so the sauce adheres evenly to the crispy coating.
