Crispy Honey Soy Chicken Wings {Baked or Air Fryer}
These honey soy chicken wings are sticky, salty-sweet, and crispy at the edges. The marinade is soy sauce, honey, Shaoxing wine, garlic, ginger, and a little sesame oil, and you can bake them on a rack or toss them in the air fryer. If you love my Chinese braised chicken wings, this is the baked version with a lot more crunch.
The first time I made these, I pulled them out at 25 minutes because they were technically done. They were fine. Just fine. The next batch stayed in another 15 minutes, the skin went crackly and sticky at the edges, and Tom ate four standing at the counter before I could get a single photo. Now I always give them the full time and toss them in cornstarch right before they go in. The starch soaks up the extra marinade on the surface so the skin can actually crisp.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Recipe Name: Crispy Honey Soy Chicken Wings {Bake or Air Fry}
- Ready In: 50 minutes
- Serves: 6
- Main Ingredients: chicken wings (split into flats and drumettes), soy sauce (coconut aminos for soy free option), honey, Shaoxing wine, garlic (minced), inch fresh ginger (grated), sesame oil, black pepper
- Why You'll Love It: These crispy Honey Soy Chicken Wings are coated in a sticky, savory-sweet Chinese-inspired marinade and baked until caramelized with crispy edges. They’re easy to make in the oven or air fryer for a simple appetizer or family dinner.
Why These Wings Get So Crispy
Pat the wings really dry first. Water on the skin steams instead of browning, and you end up with pale, soft wings no matter how long they bake.
Make a few shallow cuts in each wing before it goes into the marinade. The garlic, ginger, and soy get into the meat instead of sitting on the skin, so even the thickest part of the drumette tastes seasoned.
Add the starch last, right before cooking. Cornstarch and arrowroot both work. If you add it to the marinade it turns gummy in the bowl.
Top Tips Before You Start
- Marinate for at least 30 minutes. Overnight in the fridge is even better if you can plan ahead.
- Set a wire rack on the sheet pan so hot air gets underneath. Wings sitting flat on the pan get soggy bottoms.
- Leave space between the wings. Crowded wings steam.
- Stay close when you broil. Honey goes from caramelized to burnt fast.
Baked or Air Fryer Honey Soy Wings
For the oven, bake at 425°F on a greased wire rack for 20 minutes, flip, then bake another 15 to 20 minutes until browned and crispy around the edges. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes at the end for extra caramelization.
For the air fryer, cook at 380°F for 18 to 22 minutes, flipping halfway. Turn it up to 400°F for the last 2 to 3 minutes to crisp the edges.
Cook in batches if your air fryer basket is small. One layer only, no stacking.
The air fryer is faster for a small batch. The oven handles all 3 pounds at once, which is nice for a crowd.
How to Make Honey Soy Chicken Wings
Scroll down to the full recipe card for more detailed ingredients and instructions! ⬇️
What to Serve With Honey Soy Chicken Wings
Serve them as an appetizer with sliced cucumbers and carrots, or make it dinner with fried rice, stir fry green beans, or a big Asian crunch salad. A bowl of egg drop soup on the side is cozy too.
FAQ
Can I make these soy free? Swap the soy sauce for coconut aminos. It’s sweeter and less salty than soy sauce, so add a pinch of salt to the marinade and pull back on the honey a little if you like a more savory wing.
Can I use frozen wings? Thaw them all the way first, then pat them very dry. Wings that are still partly frozen release a lot of water in the oven, and they won’t brown or crisp up.
What can I use instead of Shaoxing wine? Dry sherry is the closest swap. To skip the alcohol, use a splash of chicken broth with a few drops of rice vinegar.
Why didn’t my wings get crispy? It’s usually wet skin, a crowded pan, or wings sitting right on the pan without a rack. Give them space, get them up on a rack, and give them a few extra minutes.
How do I reheat leftovers? The air fryer at 375°F for about 5 minutes brings the crunch back. The microwave works in a pinch, but the skin goes soft.
Can I make these ahead for game day? Marinate the wings the night before, then bake them right before kickoff so they’re at their crispiest. If you need them done earlier, bake them all the way, then reheat on a rack at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes to crisp the skin back up.
How many wings should I make for a party? Plan on about 1 pound per person if wings are the main event, or about half a pound per person with other snacks on the table. This recipe makes 3 pounds, so double it for a bigger crowd.
Get the recipe:Crispy Honey Soy Chicken Wings {Bake or Air Fry}
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken wings, split into flats and drumettes
- 1/4 cup soy sauce, coconut aminos for soy free option
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp starch, cornstarch or arrowroot starch
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced, for garnish
- 1 tsp sesame seeds, for garnish
Equipment
- Ninjia Air Fryer
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken Wings
- Pat the chicken wings very dry with paper towels. Make a few shallow cuts on each wing.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, Shaoxing wine, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and ground black pepper.
- Add the chicken wings and toss until evenly coated. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight in the refrigerator.
- When ready to cook, sprinkle the starch over the wings and toss until evenly coated.
Oven Method
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and place a wire rack on top. Lightly grease the rack.
- Arrange the chicken wings in a single layer, leaving a little space between each one.
- Bake for 20 minutes, then flip.
- Bake for another 15 – 20 minutes, or until the wings are cooked through, browned, and crispy around the edges.
- For extra caramelization, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end. Watch closely because the honey can burn quickly. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds and serve.
Air Fryer Method
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F.
- Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
- Air fry for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Increase the temperature to 400°F for the last 2–3 minutes for extra crispy edges.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds and serve.
Notes
- Making a few small cuts in the chicken wings helps the marinade penetrate the meat for more flavor.
- The wings are typically cooked through after about 20–25 minutes. The longer cooking time in this recipe allows more of the fat to render, which helps the skin get extra crispy.
The Nutrition Facts above are specific to the ingredients I chose to use for this recipe, which may vary.
